BSW: Local authorities should decide on federal funding themselves

The Saxon municipalities should decide on the money from the federal government's special fund themselves, according to a demand by the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). BSW leader Sabine Zimmermann was responding to a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Petra Köpping (SPD), who had suggested an investment summit involving the municipalities, business and trade unions.

Saxony can expect to receive more than four billion euros from the special fund - a good 400 million euros over ten years. The money is urgently needed for investments in infrastructure.

BSW points to a huge investment backlog in Saxony

"The call for an investment summit raises hopes that will not be fulfilled. The municipalities in Saxony alone have a huge investment backlog in infrastructure, schools and public facilities," Zimmermann told the German Press Agency. Hospitals finally needed sufficient investment. Since reunification, the governments had run hospitals into the ground, especially in rural areas.

"Our bridges are dilapidated and some are collapsing. Dresden's Carola Bridge alone needs half of an annual tranche," emphasized Zimmermann. She referred to a study commissioned by DGB Saxony in March 2024, which calculated a need for 44 billion euros in public investment over the next ten years in the areas of climate protection, infrastructure, education and health.

"There is a need for investment of 8.6 billion euros in state and municipal infrastructure alone. That doesn't even include the collapsed and endangered bridges," said Zimmermann.

The BSW had called for an investment package of 600 million euros for local authorities during the budget negotiations. However, this was rejected by the CDU and SPD. "That was one reason why we could not agree to the budget. There was too little in it for our municipalities."