For the next two years, Baden-Württemberg will no longer have as much money to distribute as it did recently. There is no need to save, says Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann. But there is a need to focus on certain areas. Three topics are particularly important to him.
From the perspective of Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, the double budget for the next two years must focus on digitization, security and research. “Those are my three priorities for now,” said the Green politician in Stuttgart.
Germany is lagging far behind in the digitalization of administration. This is why investments must be made in this area, said Kretschmann. “Security is a key issue. We are not dealing with abstract dangers, but the world around us is in great turmoil, and the threats are increasing,” said the Prime Minister.
This also includes climate change, which threatens security. “This is demonstrated by severe weather events such as floods or long periods of drought.” In order to be well prepared for these crises and for the future, we must also invest in future technologies and research.
Additional expenditure on language support
There is consensus in the green-black coalition about investments in early childhood education. “The language support package is actually about additional spending that we have to make,” said Kretschmann. Starting next school year, the state wants to start a multi-million euro package for language support in daycare centers and elementary schools. In the final phase, it envisages mandatory language support from the 2028/2029 school year.
For example, children who still have language problems when they start school will initially be prepared for primary school in so-called junior classes. The package also provides for increased language support in daycare centers. The government is using these measures to respond to a significant drop in performance among primary school students.
Less money available for new projects
The Green-Black coalition is currently in the process of drawing up a budget for 2025 and 2026, which is to be passed by the state parliament by the end of the year. Negotiations on the plan are difficult this year because less money is available for new projects than in previous years.
In addition, it is the last budget for the current legislative period. Political projects that are not reflected in it are likely to have little to no chance of being realized before the next regular state election in spring 2026.
Kretschmann stressed that there is a need to focus on the essentials. “Thank God we don’t have to save yet. We just can’t do everything we want. That’s a difference. Everyone talks about saving, but thinks that not all of their wishes will be fulfilled. Saving is something else.”
dpa/lk
