Following CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn's rejection of further increases to state benefits such as BAföG, student representatives have responded with sharp criticism.
The Federal Association of Liberal University Groups described the move on Sunday as a slap in the face for students already struggling with rising rents and living costs. The association accused the government of treating students as bargaining chips in the ongoing budget dispute.
In an interview with the Münchner Merkur published on Saturday, Spahn stated: "We will not be able to increase state benefits such as Bürgergeld, housing benefit, parental allowance, or BAföG for the foreseeable future." He added that cuts would be necessary in certain areas, "at least as long as we have no growth."
The coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD had committed to a major overhaul of the BAföG system, including a planned increase to the housing allowance component from 380 to 440 euros per month, set to take effect from the winter semester of 2026/2027.
At the end of April, the Federal Ministry of Research had confirmed that the coalition partners had reached an agreement on how to fund the increase as part of the budget negotiations and that the legislative process was about to begin.
The Federal Association of Liberal University Groups reminded the government of this pledge. BAföG, the association argued, is not just another line item in the budget, it determines whether young people can pursue a university education regardless of their parents' financial background. Blocking the necessary improvements, the group warned, puts social mobility, equal opportunity, and Germany's standing as a centre of academic excellence at risk.
The German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) echoed these concerns. Its chairman, Matthias Anbuhl, stated: "Anyone who spends billions on a fuel price subsidy while simultaneously cutting education opportunities is acting against achievement and is blind to the future." Economic growth, he argued, will not materialise without qualified professionals. "Today's students are the IT specialists, engineers, doctors, and teachers of tomorrow."
The Left Party also weighed in, accusing the government of using students as pawns to plug holes in the federal budget. Education policy spokesperson Nicole Gohlke appealed directly to coalition partner SPD, urging the Social Democrats not to cave in and to ensure that at least the BAföG reform agreed upon in the coalition contract is delivered.
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