Lack of funding for daycare facilities, roads, and public swimming pools. - Mayors' uprising of exasperation
"Check this out!" calls District Administrator Sandro Zehner (44, CDU) from Rheingau-Taunus district (Hesse). Outside, it's pure paradise, but inside, there's a mix of helplessness and frustration. 17 mayors from the wine and tourism region have an upset message to send to Berlin. Their towns are on the edge of ruin due to increasing expenses on refugees, daycare expansions, wages, energy, and transportation.
"The federal government is creating but not paying its share," says Zehner. They're dealing with a budget deficit of €100 million in their district, and this doesn't even factor in the nearly €60 million in investment costs for all-day care at elementary schools starting in 2026.
"Everything is teetering on the edge. Neither general road and school renovations nor an acceptable budget are possible anymore," reports Ivo Reßler (60, non-party), mayor of the small town of Lorch am Rhein.
The money crunch is being felt elsewhere - for tourism promotion, for example. "But that's the most crucial pillar we have economically," he adds.
Mayors' Requests
The 17 mayors are making some demands in their angry resolution: more sales tax revenue from the federal government for districts and municipalities, a freeze on the legal requirement for all-day care, and most importantly, full cost assumption by the legislature.
The mayors are worried about a "rapid descent." If there's no more money for citizens, dissatisfaction with the government will increase. This could be a threat to democracy.
A Plea to Minister President Boris Rhein
The state doesn't have enough money, and the Berlin distribution battles are ongoing - "and we from the municipal family aren't even at the table, with no voice," says CDU politician Zehner.
Zehner's appeal: "Minister President Boris Rhein must fight for the municipalities in Berlin!" Or else, the lights will soon be turned off - and not just at swimming pools.
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Source: symclub.org
