Municipalities have long been struggling under the financial burden of refugees. In Bruchsal, the district administrators discuss and formulate their demands.
“The districts, like the cities and municipalities, are facing financial abyss,” said District Council President Joachim Walter (CDU) on Monday morning at the 42nd district assembly in Bruchsal (Karlsruhe district). Even if the state has given the districts substantial help with the 2024 emergency aid package, especially in the area of hospitals, this does not replace, for example, an agreement between the state and municipalities for the double budget 2025/2026.
District council: Financial responsibility is shifted to municipalities
Walter particularly emphasized the costs incurred by refugees. He is disappointed that no agreement has yet been reached regarding these costs beyond 2024. According to Walter, the financial responsibility will be passed on to the municipalities. Without sufficient financial help from the state on the issue of refugees, there is a risk of right-wing forces gaining strength in local councils and district assemblies.
The district council president demanded that the state should face up to its political responsibility and negotiate with the municipalities again quickly, “so that we can reach sensible solutions and not set the fuse on fire,” said Walter.
Kretschmann admits: “Yes, we are at the limit.”
In addition to the district administrators, Baden-Württemberg‘s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) and Justice and Migration Minister Marion Gentges (CDU) are also present. Kretschmann sees progress in the discussion about how to reduce the number of refugees arriving in Germany. The federal and state governments have already decided on measures to this end. Nevertheless, the head of government admitted with regard to the municipalities: “Yes, we are at the limit.”
Kretschmann had previously campaigned to improve the deportation options for criminals. These have also been improved by the federal government. Benefits for people obliged to leave the country would be reduced and the German borders would be controlled. Looking at the country, he cited the introduction of a payment card and a migration and security package as examples of progress.
Yes, we are at the limit.
Kretschmann made it clear: It was about limiting irregular immigration and security. On the other hand, migration is also needed in the labor market, otherwise the labor market would collapse. The new state agency for the immigration of skilled workers should help here. For example, it will carry out accelerated skilled worker procedures.
The German District Association had previously called for a comprehensive turnaround in migration policy. The positions of the districts and the state are far apart, particularly when it comes to reimbursement of costs for refugees.
Criticism from the districts in BW: Hospital reform helps AfD
The hospital reform passed by the Bundestag last Thursday was also discussed at the district assembly. The districts criticize that the hospital reform does not address the structural underfunding of the clinics and, according to District Council President Walter, will lead to a massive deterioration in patient care, especially in Baden-Württemberg, if the Federal Council does not prevent this.
With the hospital reform and the elimination of hundreds of clinics, the federal government is playing into the hands of extreme forces in the view of the new President of the German District Council, Achim Brötel (CDU): “That is exactly the AfD’s economic stimulus program that is running.” It’s about a very emotional topic and public services.
Prime Minister Kretschmann also found clear words about the hospital reform: It still seems that the federal government does not want to honor the structural adjustments implemented in Baden-Württemberg, he criticized. The country should receive less from a new retention allowance than corresponds to the proportion of the population. “We’ve done our homework and now we’re supposed to be punished for it. That can’t be right.” He called for effective relief for hospitals.
Reducing bureaucracy: relief could come at the beginning of December
The third important topic at the meeting of the state and districts was the bureaucracy reduction project. According to Walter, progress must finally be made in reducing tasks and deregulation. The CDU politician was grateful that an attempt was being made to put together a substantial relief package by the beginning of December.
The third relief package will show whether the relief alliance, i.e. the body responsible for reducing bureaucracy, was able to really achieve noticeable effects.
