Berlin CDU proposes fees for school lunches, sparking election debate

Berlin's upcoming election campaign has seen free school lunches become a contentious issue. The city's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is now advocating for the reintroduction of fees, suggesting a contribution of up to two euros per meal. CDU state executive director Dirk Reitze stated that this change could lead to annual savings of approximately 92 million euros for Berlin.

Reitze emphasized the principle of fairness, arguing that state resources should be concentrated where they are genuinely needed. He proposed that families with sufficient financial means should be able to afford a "reasonable contribution" towards school lunches, while ensuring that low-income families remain exempt from these costs.

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It is a question of fairness to concentrate state benefits where they are actually needed.

This stance is not isolated within the CDU. Transport Senator Ute Bonde also voiced her opposition to free school meals and free student travel tickets in a separate interview. CDU lead candidate Stefan Evers has previously questioned the concept of free school lunches, signaling a unified party position on the matter. The issue has now firmly entered the electoral debate, contrasting with the efforts of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the CDU's current coalition partner. SPD faction leader Raed Saleh has long championed free education, including free school meals.

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Families who are financially capable can make a reasonable contribution themselves, while families with low incomes should continue to bear no costs for school lunches.