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Hamburg's Basic Income Referendum: Funding and Foreign Influence Under Scrutiny
Hamburg, the city-state known for its significant federal status, is currently in the midst of a debate surrounding the funding and potential foreign influence on its legislation, particularly in relation to the three-year pilot project for an unconditional basic income.
The project, which is backed by nearly 50 million euros from Hamburg's own coffers, was the result of a referendum. However, the question of who funded the campaign for this referendum has sparked a conversation.
One of the funders of the basic income referendum is the Eutopia Foundation, based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Albert Wenger, a German-born investor and the head of the Eutopia Foundation, contributed 200,000 euros to the cause. While this is not quite a third of the total budget, it has raised eyebrows, especially considering the foundation's foreign origin.
The Hamburg Daily Journal has been critical of the Eutopia Foundation's involvement, questioning whether 'foreign money' can influence Hamburg's legislation. Michael Heering, active in the 'More Democracy' association, shares this sentiment, finding the question of funding for referendums relevant and questioning the involvement of foreign institutions in the Hamburg referendum.
It's worth noting that without major donors, a referendum is practically impossible in Hamburg due to high quorum hurdles and tight deadlines. The funding for the campaign, therefore, mainly comes from three foundations, none of which are based in Hamburg, the foundation capital.
The DM drugstore chain founder Goetz Werner's foundation is another funder. Werner has been advocating for a basic income for decades. The remaining financing for the basic income referendum in Hamburg comes from a combination of private donations, crowdfunding, and local grassroots support, but specific details on the exact sources or major contributors of the remainder were not explicitly found in the search results.
The law requires transparency for donations above 2,500 euros in the accountability report. However, the question has been picked up by Die Welt, a German newspaper, suggesting that this may not be enough to ensure complete transparency and prevent potential influence.
The relatively extensive popular legislature in Hamburg has been recognised by basic income advocates. Yet, the potential influence of external funding, even from within Germany, on Hamburg's legislation remains a topic of discussion. The city-state, being small, compact, and enjoying significant attention due to its status as a federal state, is an ideal place for such an attempt.
As the debate continues, it's crucial to maintain the principles of transparency and accountability in funding for referendums to ensure the integrity of Hamburg's democratic process.
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