THE OTHER VIEW - The state's strange mistrust of citizens: The German government is shutting itself off

The German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, faces accusations of growing distrust towards its citizens, manifesting in attempts to curtail transparency and a combative stance against criticism. This sentiment is encapsulated in Merz's recent call for critics to "step down!" at a party convention, a remark that, while met with applause, highlights a perceived disconnect between the state and the populace.

The article points to the planned reform of the Information Freedom Act as a key example of this trend. This law, enacted in 2005, grants every citizen the right to access official information from federal authorities without needing to prove any specific entitlement. The underlying principle was that the state belongs to the citizens. The law has been instrumental in uncovering scandals, such as the mask affair during the COVID-19 pandemic, where state contracts for masks at inflated prices were awarded to entrepreneurs with ties to the Christian Democrats.

Under the proposed reforms, the government aims to restrict access by limiting it to "natural persons" (private individuals), thereby excluding foundations or media companies. Furthermore, requesters would need to demonstrate a "legitimate interest," shifting the burden of proof from the state, which would no longer have to justify why certain information must remain secret, to the citizen who must now explain their need for information.

The government's justification for these changes – to make the law "more understandable and transparent for citizens" – is dismissed as disingenuous. The article argues that no one has complained about the law's complexity, and the true aim appears to be reducing the transparency that the Information Freedom Act enforces, thereby limiting the work for authorities and potentially mitigating political repercussions.

Beyond the legislative changes, the article notes the government's extensive prosecution of individuals for criticizing politicians on social media. This pattern of legal action for minor offenses, coupled with the proposed restrictions on information access, paints a picture of a state increasingly wary of public scrutiny and dissent, fostering a climate of distrust rather than openness.