A fast and radical reform of the social security system would be necessary. Henkel emphasized that the changes planned by the federal government would only be a small reform, leaving the real problems untouched. Protests at German universities are increasing The protests at German universities are still increasing. There will be votings about strikes in many federal states until this weekend. A mass demonstration against the unbearable studying conditions is scheduled for thursday in Bonn.
University chancellors show sympathy with the protest.
Also the president of the employers' association, Hundt, supports these actions and makes the proposal of study fees. In his opinion the universities will not be able to keep their standard without the students' contribution. In Bonn CDU and SPD accused each other of being responsible for the university problem. CDU-secretary general Hintze shifted the responsibility to the federal states. SPD-leader Lafontaine argued that the situation at the universities is a direct effect of the finance policy in Bonn, now burdening the federal states and the municipal governments.