26/06/2026
Interview with the Lawyer of Frieda/ Part 2: Michael Plöse, the lawyer representing Frieda e.V., gave an interview to the Frieda Solidarity Network to explain the key legal aspects of the organization’s lawsuits against the state. In the first part, he outlined how the Senate’s hostility toward Frieda began in 2023 and subsequently escalated. In this second part, he examines the lawsuits filed by Frieda and those filed against it.
Michael begins by explaining the legal procedures the Senate used to enforce its narrow interpretation of women’s work on Frieda’s FLINTA* social services. Rather than accept the doctrine, “Do things our way, or we will cut your funding,” Frieda challenged the Senate in court over withheld budgets—a legal battle that continues today.
While being busy with seeking justice against what it viewed as unjust measures by the Senate, Frieda faced further restrictions in 2024. This time, the District Office moved to shut down the association and all four of its projects at once.
The Frieda case illustrates how the Senate and the Youth Council worked hand in hand to keep the organization closed and its former employees entangled in the state’s bureaucratic labyrinth.
In this interview, Michael expresses deep concern that Max Kindler, a former police officer and current head of the Youth Council at the District Office, has launched what he describes as an intelligence-style preventive campaign aimed at dismantling progressive projects such as Frieda.
The interview is long and technical, but also educative and well worth reading.