"Ein alter Mann, dessen Ich-Sucht keine Grenzen kennt"
More than 30 current and former jury members of the Stiftung Kunstfonds have issued a formal protest against German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, accusing his office of political interference and intimidation. The controversy stems from reports that the ministry requested lists of all jury members across various art institutions and bypassed jury decisions to exclude specific recipients from awards based on intelligence service reports.
This conflict highlights a growing tension in Germany regarding the constitutional freedom of art and the extent of government oversight. The demand for an end to the so-called 'Haber procedure'—background checks on cultural actors—reflects a broader fear within the creative sector that political vetting is undermining institutional independence and artistic liberty.