Action alliance “For the dignity of our cities” writes to Steinmeier
Kaiserslautern, October 9, 2023
Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote the action alliance “For the Dignity of Our Cities” because the situation of financially weak municipalities is deteriorating considerably. In their letter, the people concerned explain to the Head of State that they are increasingly confronted with the question “Why?” »
“For the Dignity of Our Cities” is an alliance on local finances, but in exceptional cases, representatives do not use figures at all. In their letter to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, they point out the daily consequences of the unfair distribution of finances in Germany and the lack of aid to financially weak municipalities. “There is a shortage of money everywhere, we are tormented by high levels of old debts, we can barely finance our obligatory tasks and, despite announcements, the promised aid is not arriving,” the letter reads that the alliance wrote on behalf of its members. 64 member municipalities from seven Länder. More than 8.5 million people live in these cities and towns.
Shippers got into trouble largely through no fault of their own. They are characterized by structural changes and therefore today suffer from much higher than average social spending and lower than average tax revenues. Affected communities have made great efforts in recent years to improve their situation. Current developments (increase in prices, rise in interest rates, collective agreements) are destroying these hard-won successes. All efforts and all deprivations risk remaining ineffective.
The fact that they find themselves in a useless trap is becoming more and more clear to municipal representatives. In this context, the word “why” plays a central role: “Why do our streets and schools look like this?” Why can’t I get a place in daycare? Why do I pay so many taxes and property fees here? Why do I have to wait so long for an appointment? And, and, and,” reports the action alliance in its letter.
The result is a dangerous loss of confidence in the first level of government and, ultimately, in the entire system, the letter continues: “We are extremely concerned not only by the frightening increase in support for political parties extremists, but also by extremist statements. Social peace and fundamental democratic values in our cities are on very thin ice. From their point of view, people see that state levels are failing, as current surveys confirm. Even trust in the people involved on site is decreasing considerably.”
“For the Dignity of Cities” has been campaigning for years for a fair financial distribution and regulation of old federal debts, through public campaigns and numerous debates in the Federal Chancellery, the Bundestag and in the competent ministries. Despite a corresponding announcement in the coalition agreement, there is currently no proposal from the federal government on this topic. What needs to be done is obvious: “We must put cities and towns in a position to reasonably fulfill their tasks. They must be able to guarantee local public services such as medical care or mobility and make their contribution to good education and climate protection.”
This is why the action alliance is now turning to the head of state: “We need your help. Your words are strong signals; your signal to federal government officials could break the Gordian knot that currently prevents relief for old debts and adequate funding for municipalities. We ask nothing less of you, so that “the house doesn’t come crashing down on our heads” and so that we can provide answers to the “why” that build citizens’ confidence in their communities and in our state as a whole .
Background information
64 municipalities in September countries, in less than 8.5 million people, are living in the alliance of action « for the dignity of our towns ». The members of the alliance of action include Bochum, Bottrop, Castrop-Rauxel, Cottbus, Cuxhaven, Dietzenbach, Dinslaken, Dorsten, Dortmund, Duisburg, Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, Essen, Frankenthal, Geestland, Gelsenkirchen, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Gladbeck, Hagen, Hamm, Hattingen, Herne, Kaiserslautern, Coblence, Krefeld, Lahnstein, Leverkusen, Löhne, Ludwigshafen, Lünen, Mayence, Mayen, Mettmann, Moers, Mönchengladbach, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Neuwied, Oberhausen, Obertshausen, Offenbach, Pirmasens, Recklinghausen, district de Recklinghausen, Remscheid, Sarrebruck, Salzgitter, Schwerin, Schwerte, Solingen, Trèves, district d’Unna, Voerde, Völklingen, Waldbröl, Waltrop, Werne, Wesel, district de Wesel , Witten, Worms, Wülfrath, Wuppertal and Deux-Ponts.
“For the dignity of our cities” has nine speakers: Dr. Rico Badenschier, mayor of the city of Schwerin, Dirk Glaser, mayor of the city of Hattingen, Burkhard Mast-Weisz, mayor of the city of Remscheid, Prof. Dr. Uweschneidewind, mayor of the city of Wuppertal, Barbara Meyer, 1st mayor and treasurer of the city of Saarbrücken, Andrea Pospich, treasurer of the city of Cuxhaven, Christoph Gerbersmann, first alderman and treasurer of the city of Hagen and Martin Murrack, city director and treasurer of the city of Duisburg.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Christian Herrendorf, Communications Consultant of the For the Dignity of Our Cities Alliance, by telephone on 0179 5181078 and by email at [email protected].
Author: For the dignity of our cities – Press office
2023-10-09 12:03:35
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