Budget speech: BSW

Dear Mayor Kerkhoff,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me start by expressing my thanks. The administration, especially the treasury department, has put a lot of work and time into the preparation of the first double budget.

Everything is nothing without peace. We, the BSW, see Willy Brandt as a great role model for our peace policy.

What is happening in the world right now?

Europe is arming itself and society is becoming increasingly divided.

In Israel, especially in Gaza, innocent men, women and children are dying.

Germany is supplying weapons to Israel and thus fuelling the war.

Russia's attack on Ukraine, which violates international law, has brought death and suffering to the people.

Let us hope that peace negotiations will now follow.

The consequences of Russia's attack on Ukraine, which violates international law, are being felt throughout Europe.

The European Parliament recently called for 3.5% of the gross domestic product of the member states as a contribution to NATO's military expenditure. Conversely, 3.5% of GDP means around 150 billion euros, which corresponds to around a third of our country's budget.

I don't think we need to explain to anyone that Germany is lacking in many areas. Broken bridges, dilapidated infrastructure, dramatically underfunded local authorities, a lack of teachers, a dying healthcare system - the list is long.

In addition, there is the influx of refugees, which is pushing our local authorities to the brink of their capacity.

High energy prices are a burden on the economy and the private sector. All of this forms the breeding ground for right-wing ideas. 31 polling institutes put the AFD at 20%.

Unfortunately, the anger of citizens is far too often directed at innocent people seeking protection and asylum in our country. The latest attack in Munich will once again lead to entire ethnic groups being placed under suspicion.

I say clearly and unequivocally "There is no such thing as collective guilt".

Anyone fleeing war, terror and religious persecution naturally has the basic right to asylum. We must therefore limit immigration in order to be able to grant precisely these people in need the protection they require.

A consistent peace policy based on diplomacy rather than armed force forms the basis for a contented society.

The situation I have described naturally has an impact on the budgetary situation of our municipalities.

95% of local authorities are facing or are already facing budget uncertainty. This development has intensified due to the coronavirus crisis and the war in Ukraine is leading to an increase in refugees and a dramatic rise in energy prices. With rising transfer payments, we ask ourselves how the structural deficit of the municipalities can be stopped.

Dear Mr Mayor,

Today, for the first time, we are adopting a double budget. This budget shows a deficit of around 34 million euros for 2025. This trend will continue in subsequent years. These deficits must be offset by the general equalisation reserve. As a result, the equalisation reserve, as at 31.12.23, ...132. MIO. EURO, will be exhausted in 2029. After that, only the general equalisation reserve will be available.

If the federal and state governments do not take some of the financial burden off the municipalities, and here I refer to the principle of connexity, we will sail our ship into the abyss with our eyes fully loaded. If you look at the general political situation, we can expect nothing, as immense sums for armament and militarisation of between three and five percent of GDP are being demanded, depending on the party. We are talking about sums of 140-240 billion euros, with a federal budget of around 480 billion euros.

We are facing difficult times!

Dear Mr Mayor,

This criticism is directed at the state and federal governments. We see the right approach in this double budget. As long as we as a municipality can still make our own decisions, we should do everything we can to make our city a place worth living in. This includes the speedy completion of our town hall as a civic and cultural centre in the heart of our city. Investments in security, education, IT and infrastructure are part of the budget.

Mr Mayor, we are therefore voting in favour of the budget.

Allow me to make a small comment with regard to the northern ring road.

With all due respect, I believe that the link to the Westring at the level of the University of Applied Sciences, as demanded by the CDU, is a project that must be postponed to the distant future, if at all, as we do not believe it is financially viable.

Dear Mr Mayor,

On behalf of my extended parliamentary group, I would once again like to thank all those who have prepared the often arduous, time-consuming work for us in an excellent manner. Let us continue to treat each other in a peaceful and friendly manner and not allow ourselves to be infected by the agitation.

Thank you for your attention.