The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZDK) has submitted a list of demands ahead of the upcoming federal election of the Bundestag, the national parliament in Berlin. The ZDK, a secular organization representing the Catholic civil society in Germany, demands from the next Bundestag a strong legislative commitment to an efficient welfare state, humane migration policies, more support for families, commitment to socially just climate protection measures, and reliably funded development cooperation. ZDK President Irme Stetter-Karp said at the presentation of the proposals: “We call for a forward-looking social policy for an efficient welfare state that opens up educational and participation opportunities for all people”. She also expressed her regret that the law designed to better protect children from abuse might not be passed before the upcoming election. Stetter-Karp has called on the future federal government to prioritise this project. The Catholic Committee is against the proposal of a cap on family reunifications for refugees with the right to asylum and calls for a legal right to asylum for siblings, so as to guarantee family unity. The right to asylum should not be restricted by admission quotas or “isolation policies”. The ZDK calls for the existing legislation on abortion in section 218 of the German Criminal Code to be upheld. Such legislation prohibits abortion, unless it is required by medical or psychological counselling within 12 weeks of conception. As for the regulation of assisted suicide, the Committee calls for clear legal requirements and a commitment to broadening the social policies aimed at preventing suicide.