Munich Left Party Unveils ‘Ten Commandments’ for Cultural Policy, Proposing Tourist Tax and Minimum Fees
Munich, January 15 – The Munich Left Party presented a comprehensive ten-point plan for cultural policy today, etched onto a Carrara marble slab, in front of the Munich City Hall. The proposals, which include a tourist tax, minimum fees for artists, and a diversity quota, aim to significantly reform the city’s cultural landscape.
The initiative comes amidst a growing focus on cultural policy in the current municipal election campaign. Stefan Jagel, parliamentary group leader and mayoral candidate for The Left, emphasized the critical importance of culture in combating the rise of right-wing populism, stating, "The salvation of culture is an elemental component in the fight against the right-wing shift." A campaign poster prominently displayed the slogan: "Culture or Fascism."
A Stone Tablet of Demands
The idea for the marble tablet, weighing 30 kilograms, originated from a party member’s suggestion to "carve it in stone." Alfons Hefter, a drummer and stone sculptor, brought the idea to life. The tablet, reminiscent of Moses’ biblical commandments, lists the party’s ten demands for Munich’s cultural sector.
The party, which has seen a surge of over 1,000 new members, many of whom are artists and cultural workers, has formed a new cultural working group. This group, along with the symbolic stone tablet, underscores the party’s commitment to culture as a central pillar of its political agenda.
Key Proposals for Cultural Reform
Among the "ten commandments" are several groundbreaking proposals:
- Tourist Tax (II): A "cultural tax" of up to five euros per overnight stay for tourists, which the party intends to legally enforce against existing state prohibitions.
- Cultural Levy (I): A two-euro cultural levy on tickets for major events to help finance cultural initiatives.
- Minimum Fees (IV): The demand for "collective bargaining wages" for artists and "minimum fees" for freelance artists in publicly subsidized projects.
- Diversity Quota (X): A "diversity quota" to reward cultural institutions that employ members of marginalized groups.
- Multi-Year Funding Plan (III): A "binding multi-year financial plan" for cultural institutions to ensure stable funding.
- Munich Compensation (VI): A "Munich compensation" for freelancers through the Künstlersozialkasse (Artists’ Social Security Fund).
- Agency for Interim Use (VIII): A "municipal agency for interim use projects" to utilize vacant properties for non-commercial cultural events, such as techno collectives organizing parties in former industrial spaces.
- Affordable Spaces (VII): Measures to ensure "affordable spaces instead of cultural displacement," addressing issues like rising rents in creative quarters.
- U30 and Social Tickets (IX): Introduction of U30 and social tickets, allowing young people and low-income citizens to access museums and cultural events for three euros.
Challenging the Status Quo
The Left Party’s proposals directly challenge the current cultural policies, particularly those of the Green Party and Cultural Mayor Dominik Krause. Johannes König, a cellist and former member of The Left’s federal executive board, criticized the current administration’s claim of having "saved" five million euros for the 2026 cultural budget, calling the 18 million euro cut a "disgrace."
Erwin Aljukić, an actor from Kammerspiele, emphasized the need for political action beyond activism. "It’s no longer enough for me to be an activist; I have to go where the decisions are made," he stated. Aljukić, who identifies as gay and disabled, and is the son of Bosnian-Muslim guest workers, is particularly advocating for the diversity quota.
Funding Mechanisms and Future Outlook
Katharina Horn, a cultural manager and the party’s top candidate, outlined funding mechanisms, including the proposed tourist tax and cultural levy. Jagel also suggested that the city could save money by cutting "prestige events" (such as sports events) and increasing business taxes to fund cultural initiatives.
The Left Party’s bold proposals are set to ignite further debate in the ongoing municipal election campaign, as they seek to position culture at the forefront of Munich’s political discourse.
Source: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/die-linke-kultur-muenchen-neue-ideen-gebote-li.3368093
