The German government's proposed budget cuts for development aid have sparked outrage among aid organizations and political leaders.

Critics, including Marlehn Thieme, president of Welthungerhilfe, argue that these cuts send the wrong message to communities in the Global South and could increase the influence of countries like Russia and China in critical regions.

The budget for 2025, which is set to be approved soon, includes a reduction of approximately 937 million euros for the development ministry.

This has led to accusations of short-sightedness from development organizations, who warn that such cuts undermine Germany's international responsibilities.

Calls for parliamentary intervention to reverse these cuts have also emerged, emphasizing the need for a responsible foreign policy that does not create a vacuum in global leadership.