Table of Contents
- 1 Leftists talk about “list of atrocities”
- 2 Interventions are seen as an attack on the social heart of the city
- 3 Cultural institutions warn of lasting damage
- 4 **How might the proposed budget cuts exacerbate existing social inequalities in Dresden, and what specific measures could be implemented to mitigate these potential negative impacts?**
Dresden.
Loud protest in front of the town hall: A large crowd protested in Dresden against cuts in the social and cultural sectors. The square in front of the town hall was packed; the organizer said there were 2,500 people. They walked through the city in several demonstrations and then met at the town hall. The Dresden city parliament met there in the afternoon.
They came together because social coexistence is very important in Dresden, said social worker Ulla Klinger from the Dresden-Gorbitz district, which is considered a social hotspot. Your contact and advice center “Gerda” looks after old people who suffer from mental illness. “From January 1st we have to close our doors unless another miracle happens.”
Leftists talk about “list of atrocities”
The Left accused Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP) of wanting to implement a red-pen budget with “lists of atrocities”. There would be massive cuts in the areas of social affairs, youth and culture. In protest, the Left faction in the city parliament moved its group meeting to the square in front of the town hall and took part in the rally as a whole.
“The mayor’s short-sighted red pencil policy threatens to cause enormous damage and will cost the city dearly in the long term. What is now being cut in social, youth and cultural areas will later cost us twice or three times as much,” emphasized Left party leader André Schollbach.
“These massive cuts are an attack on the social heart of our city,” said city councilor Kristin Dänhardt (Left). Solidarity and social justice should not fall victim to false austerity policies in Dresden. Mayor Hilbert must deviate from the wrong course of the ban on borrowing. “Otherwise, the infrastructural collapse will be followed by social collapse.”
Mayor Hilbert wanted to present the draft budget for 2025/2026 to the city council. In total, the city will be missing 150 million euros in the next two years. 1.5 million euros will be lost in the coming financial year for school social work alone; 20 schools will be affected, it was said. At some institutions, school social work must be stopped completely.
Cultural institutions warn of lasting damage
The “Network Culture Dresden” warned in an open letter of massive, lasting damage to artists and cultural institutions of all sectors and referred to planned cuts in the cultural sector amounting to 4 million euros. “The cultural city of Dresden is destroying its foundations,” write the signatories.
“Cuts destroy perspectives,” read one poster. An “alliance against cuts” has now been founded, which, among other things, is mobilizing with a petition. So far, around 18,000 people have signed the petition, which vehemently opposes the cuts, it said.
## World Today News: Interview on Dresden Budget Cuts
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing the recent protests in Dresden against proposed budget cuts that target the social and cultural sectors. We are joined by two esteemed guests:
* **Ulla Klinger,** a social worker from the Dresden-Gorbitz district and representative of the “Gerda,” an advice center facing closure.
* **André Schollbach,** leader of the Left party faction in Dresden’s city parliament.
Thank you both for joining us.
**Section 1: The Impact on Social Services**
* **Ms. Klinger, your center ”Gerda” provides vital support to vulnerable individuals. What will the impact of these cuts be on the people you serve, and what alternatives do you see?**
* **Mr. Schollbach, the Left party has accused Mayor Hilbert of implementing a “list of atrocities.” How would you characterize the impact of these cuts on the social fabric of Dresden? Do you see any long-term consequences?**
**Section 2: The Cultural Landscape**
* **The “Network Culture Dresden” has warned of “massive, lasting damage” to the city’s cultural institutions. Mr. Schollbach, what is your assessment of the proposed cuts in the cultural sector? How do these cuts align with Dresden’s identity as a “cultural city”?**
* **Ms. Klinger, how do you see the connection between social well-being and a thriving cultural scene? Do you believe these cuts disproportionately impact certain communities in Dresden?**
**Section 3: Finding Solutions and Moving Forward**
* **Both of you have expressed strong opposition to the proposed budget cuts. What concrete steps do you believe should be taken to prevent these cuts from being implemented?**
* **Ms. Klinger, you mentioned the “alliance against cuts” and the petition that has gained significant support. Do you see this as a sign of wider public opposition to the budget cuts? How can citizens actively engage in the political process to influence this situation?**
* **Mr. Schollbach, what are your expectations for the upcoming city council meeting where Mayor Hilbert will present the draft budget? What message will the Left party convey to the city council and the mayor?**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, Ms. Klinger and Mr. Schollbach, for sharing your insights and perspectives on this critical issue.
The proposed budget cuts have sparked significant debate and raised concerns about the future of social and cultural services in Dresden. We hope that this discussion has shed light on the challenges facing the city and the ongoing efforts to find sustainable solutions.
**Please remember to check back with World Today News for further updates on this developing story.**
