Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Weighs in on Lisa Poettinger’s Refusal of Referendariat in Bayern
Schwerin, Germany – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Minister of Education, Simone Oldenburg, has expressed reservations towards the proposal by the education union GEW to offer a place in the state’s Referendariat program to Lisa Poettinger, a student who was excluded from the program in Bavaria due to her political activities.
Outdated Bewerbungsverfahren
"Referendariat positions are allocated through a regulated application process and cannot simply be offered to individuals," Oldenburg stated in a response to a dpa inquiry in Schwerin. She emphasized that the selection process is based on suitability, performance, and qualification. Poettinger was advised to consult the career portal for the MV school system for publicly announced positions and to apply accordingly. "She must make this decision herself," Oldenburg said, adding that Poettinger had not yet contacted the ministry. Applications for the Referendariat starting on August 1st will be accepted from March 10th.
Bayern’s Rationale
The Bavarian Ministry of Education officially denied Poettinger’s admission to the Referendariat in early February, citing her membership in a left-wing extremist group, criminal investigations, and her public endorsement of criminal offenses. Poettinger has actively participated in climate protection protests, including those organized by the "Open Anti-Capitalist Climate Meeting Munich," which is classified as left-wing extremist by the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Poettinger is challenging her exclusion from the Referendariat in Bayern through legal action.
GEW’s Solidarity and Protest
The executive board of the GEW in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has expressed its solidarity with Poettinger. The union argues that excluding Poettinger from the Referendariat in Bayern deprives her of the opportunity to train as a permanent teacher eligible for salaried employment. This, they claim, constitutes a significant infringement on her fundamental right to choose her profession.
"From our perspective, this is a politically motivated occupational ban," declared GEW state chairman Nico Leschinski. He proposed that Minister of Education Oldenburg offer Poettinger a Referendariat position in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Political Backlash in Schwerin
The proposal drew criticism in the Schwerin state parliament. "The decision of the Free State of Bavaria is correct and consistent. Anyone who openly advocates left-wing extremist positions, describes themselves as a Marxist, and raves about class struggle has no place in public service," said Torsten Renz, a member of the CDU parliamentary group.
Renz accused the GEW of lobbying for an individual who had disqualified herself through her own behavior. He stressed that the state must be able to rely on teachers to uphold and convey the constitution.
Enrico Schult, a member of the AfD parliamentary group, also described the exclusion of Poettinger from the Referendariat as justified. "A civil servant relationship requires unwavering loyalty to the constitution. Someone who subscribes to an ideology incompatible with the Basic Law cannot be entrusted with the education of our children," he said. Schult accused the GEW of supporting "a self-proclaimed salon communist," thereby demonstrating that it does not represent the interests of all teachers.
