“Enough cuts”: What concerns students and student unions

Mr. Anbuhl, what advice would you give to students in Rhineland-Palatinate who are wondering who to vote for in the upcoming state elections?

Matthias Anbuhl:
"First of all, I would like to urge all students in Rhineland-Palatinate to definitely go and vote on March 22nd and stand up for their own interests. Only those who exercise their democratic rights and vote can have a say in the policies implemented in the state. The approximately 110,000 students represent a significant voting bloc. And it is important that the younger generation participates in the democratic process.

Regarding your question: A very good guide for students before the state elections are the election criteria compiled online by the Rhineland-Palatinate student unions in cooperation with the Rhineland-Palatinate State Student Union Conference. Together, they posed questions to the parties relevant to Rhineland-Palatinate – and their answers are available on the website." https://www.studiwerke-rlp.de/ clearly presented.”

What kind of questions?

Anbuhl:

“Well, for example, the parties are asked what they intend to do about the steadily increasing financial burden on students regarding meal prices in the cafeterias, rents for student dormitories, and social security contributions. For me, this is a core political issue.

It cannot be that federal states like Rhineland-Palatinate continue to neglect their financial support for their student unions. Otherwise, the five student unions will be forced to pass on the ever-increasing costs of food, energy, and personnel to the students, in the form of higher prices in the cafeterias, higher rents in dormitories, or higher semester fees. This goes against the very nature of the student unions and places further burdens on students who are already financially strained. The parties' answers reveal…” "It should become clear who pursues student-friendly policies."

During election campaigns, parties promise a lot...

Anbuhl:

"That's true. But the parties can be judged after the election by the plans and statements documented here – and work can be done to ensure that as much of it as possible is included in the coalition agreement of the new state government. I wouldn't underestimate the political impact of such election litmus tests."

There are nine questions, addressed to seven parties. That makes 63 response texts. Not exactly light reading…[/K][/F]

Anbuhl:

“There are 45 short texts because two parties, the Free Voters and the AfD, didn't answer the questions. If you go to the website, you might pick out the questions that interest you most personally and then look at the answers. And yes, democracy takes work and time, but it should be worth it to us.”

Couldn't you just recommend a party?

Anbuhl:

“No, we are politically independent and would never call for the election of a specific party. I also believe that such a recommendation wouldn't really be relevant for students; they form their own opinions. However, the election guidelines from student unions and student bodies offer an excellent basis for this political opinion-forming in Rhineland-Palatinate.” Basis."

How do you assess student engagement in the election campaign?

Anbuhl:

"I'm pleased with what the State Student Council Conference in Rhineland-Palatinate has accomplished here. From the close collaboration on the election manifestos to the demonstration on March 5th in Mainz with the central demand for increased state subsidies for student unions and a campaign slogan I wholeheartedly endorse: 'Enough cuts!'"

The election manifestos are available online:

www.studiwerke-rlp.de