NRW Refugee Minister Josefine Paul Resigns Amid Daycare Reform Backlash

Josefine Paul, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister responsible for refugees, children, youth, family, and equality, has resigned following widespread criticism of her proposed daycare reform. The controversy centers on the draft amendment of the Child Education Act (KiBiz), which introduces the division of daycare hours into core and extended periods. This restructure has drawn strong opposition from the Kita-Bündnis NRW, a coalition of major independent daycare providers, along with the Education and Science Union (GEW NRW), who have called for a complete revision of the legislation.

Appointed in 2022 as part of the black-green state government under Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), Paul’s resignation marks a significant cabinet reshuffle. The daycare reform, seen as contentious, placed Paul's ministership under intense scrutiny. The next state election in NRW is scheduled for spring 2027, making this development politically consequential.

The backlash highlights underlying tensions about childcare policy in NRW, with the draft proposing a restructuring that stakeholders argue could negatively impact daycare services. Paul's departure reflects the political sensitivity of childcare reform and the challenges faced by state officials balancing policy initiatives with stakeholder consensus.