Berlin Parliamentary Committee Probes Cultural Funding Practices, Summons Witnesses

A parliamentary committee in Berlin has begun an official investigation into the distribution of cultural funding by the city's cultural administration. The inquiry seeks to clarify whether millions of euros in grants were allocated inappropriately and whether proper procedures were followed in awarding support for projects, particularly those focused on combating antisemitism.

The committee, established at the request of the Left and Green political parties, has initiated its proceedings by summoning several witnesses from within the cultural administration. This initial phase involves the public questioning of three key staff members--two deputy department heads and a specialist staff member--who are expected to provide critical insights into the decision-making processes behind the allocation of public funds for cultural initiatives.

Central to the committee's investigation is the alleged improper distribution of approximately three million euros from a budget designated for projects deemed to be of special political significance. Concerns have been raised that the criteria used to select recipients of these funds were not transparent or consistently applied. There are further allegations that external political pressure, particularly from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parliamentary group, may have influenced funding decisions, potentially bypassing established legal and administrative procedures.

Former Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) and his successor Sarah Wedl-Wilson (independent) are both subjects of scrutiny, as some committee members question whether their involvement led to irregularities in the awarding of grants. The CDU has firmly denied all allegations of impropriety and maintains that all funding was distributed in accordance with applicable regulations.

Within the cultural administration itself, reports indicate that some staff members expressed internal reservations about the methods used to approve funding. The inquiry aims to uncover whether these concerns were formally raised, how they were addressed, and whether there were any breaches of the city's budgetary rules. The investigative process will proceed methodically, with the committee intending to follow a hierarchical approach--starting with lower-ranking officials and moving upwards to include state secretaries and members of the Senate.

In addition to witness testimonies, committee members are conducting an extensive review of documents related to the funding process. This includes thousands of pages of official records, internal communications, emails, and instant messages between members of the CDU and staff within the cultural administration. The documentation review is expected to help clarify the chain of decision-making and any external influences that may have played a role.

The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted in a transparent, public forum in the state parliament. Its primary objective is to restore confidence in the administration of public funds and to ensure that future grant allocations adhere strictly to legal and ethical standards. The findings of the committee are anticipated to have significant implications for both Berlin's cultural policy and broader public trust in governmental oversight.