In its 2023 annual report, the Saxon Court of Audit criticized the handling of taxpayers' money in several cases and identified control deficiencies. At the same time, parts of the financial policy and the increase in the number of state employees were criticized. In a special report, the auditors gave the Ministry of Social Affairs poor marks for the implementation of a funding guideline for refugee integration measures.
In an audit report on the allocation of funds in the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Court of Auditors had already revealed in the summer that it saw "numerous signs of conduct lacking integrity" and "structures at risk of corruption". Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) then announced changes to the allocation guidelines and dismissed her State Secretary Sebastian Vogel.
After the publication of the annual report, Köpping rejected allegations of legal violations due to conflicts of interest and bias on Thursday. "We did the right thing. But we didn't always do it right. We have learned from this, taken action and drawn extensive consequences," emphasized the Minister. The new funding guidelines are already in force. However, the Court of Audit is not yet completely satisfied with it.
