The Berlin Senate Chancellery has set aside a budget of 140,000 euros for Wegner’s participation in the Christopher Street Day (CSD). Of that, 94,000 euros go to the production and implementation of the so-called Berlin float, and another 46,000 euros to an accompanying advertising campaign. The Berlin Society for Capital City Marketing is contributing additional in-kind services worth 235,000 euros, of which about ten percent benefits the float. Without this support, the Senate Chancellery would face total costs of 375,000 euros.
Marcel Voges, board member of the Berlin CSD association, expressed surprise: “I am surprised at the high sum the Senate wants to spend on CSD participation.” The Senate Chancellery pays around 6,000 euros to the association for the participation itself. Activists cannot fully understand what the remaining money is to be used for. For comparison: companies that equip a float with agency services, security, and drinks calculate a maximum of 70,000 euros, according to FAZ; some associations manage with 20,000 euros.
Criticism also comes from Wegner’s coalition partner SPD. Queer policy spokesperson Wiebke Neumann called the planned costs “far too high.” Green Party parliamentary group leader Werner Graf welcomed Wegner’s support for the queer community but pointed out that many queer social and youth projects could work for an entire year with 140,000 euros. Moreover, the CSD takes place eight weeks before the state parliament election on September 20, which raises the question for SPD top candidate Steffen Krach whether the float serves as an election campaign vehicle. AfD top candidate Kristin Brinker wants to examine whether the appearance can be prevented by temporary injunction.
Source: www.faz.net
