The Bremen Parliament has voted on the Senator’s future. The CDU wanted to have her removed, but failed.
The members of the Bremen Parliament have voted on whether Sascha Aulepp (SPD) should remain Bremen’s Senator for Education – and confirm her in office. The motion of no confidence did not receive a majority of 36 votes. To remove the Senator, there would have needed to be at least 44 votes. 46 members voted against, three abstained.
In purely mathematical terms, not even all opposition MPs voted for Aulepp’s removal – although the FDP and Alliance Germany had previously announced that they would support the CDU.
Aulepp was relieved after the vote. “I am very happy about the support and trust that has been shown here once again,” she told buten un binnen.
I will now go back to work to take on the major challenges in the interests of children, adolescents and young adults in Bremen.
Bremen’s Senator for Education Sascha Aulepp (SPD)
Budget freeze as reason
The CDU had wanted to have her removed via a motion of no confidence, mainly because the Senator for Education and Children had unexpectedly imposed a budget freeze in her department during the summer holidays. The budget problem in the education department was just the last straw, explains CDU parliamentary group leader Frank Imhoff. The Union also blames Aulepp for not having enough teachers at the start of the school year and for 1,300 missing daycare places.
If you look at all the points, the whole balance sheet of your three years, then you have to say: We no longer believe in a turnaround in the education department. Leadership comes from leading and we don’t believe that you can lead.
Frank Imhoff (CDU), parliamentary group leader
SPD parliamentary group leader: Motion of no confidence “pure show”
During the debate, SPD parliamentary group leader Mustafa Güngör accused the CDU of just putting on a show and defended the education senator. Despite the difficult budget situation, the senator would do everything in her power to meet the challenge of constantly increasing numbers of children. She and the Senate would do everything possible to improve the educational opportunities for children in Bremen.
Sascha Aulepp and Andreas Bovenschulte hugged each other shortly after the result was announced.
Image: dpa | Lars Penning
Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte defended the education senator. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of children up to 14 years of age increased by 6,000. At the same time, costs increased. In view of these difficult conditions, Education Senator Aulepp is extremely committed and fully committed. She does not shy away from conflict with unions and professional associations, said Bovenschulte.
Aulepp did not comment
The senator herself did not comment in the debate. The Greens and the Left admitted mistakes in education funding. They nevertheless supported Aulepp.
Aulepp will therefore remain Senator for Education in Bremen – but because of the budget problems she will have to answer to the budget and finance committee of the state parliament on Friday. The opposition is expecting details on how the financial gap came about.
The motion of no confidence was the 23rd in the history of the Bremen Parliament. Only one of them was successful. That was in 1995 against the then Green Party Senator for the Environment, Ralf Fücks.
More about Aulepp and the schools:
This topic in the program:
buten un binnen, 12 August 2024, 19:30
