BSW in Saxony presents package for change

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is entering the Saxon budget debate with a package of demands worth billions. The BSW stands for change, said party and parliamentary group leader Sabine Zimmermann in Dresden. It is not enough to stick a band-aid on the budget here and there. The government had probably not understood the election results.

Zimmermann returned after a long illness. She had been away for three months, but nothing had changed in the government. "Everything has stayed the same." Looking at the draft budget, it is clear that the CDU and SPD are only interested in saving money. Investments in the future can be found in the draft for a long time.

BSW presents a package of demands amounting to one billion euros

Zimmermann accused the state government of having "completely run down" the infrastructure and not investing in it. This had led to people becoming disenchanted with politics. This is why the BSW put together a package of demands with measures worth around one billion euros at a closed meeting last week.

According to the party chairwoman, 500 million euros of this is earmarked for improving the quality of life in rural areas. The municipalities could not invest due to a lack of money. However, life takes place in the municipalities. Better bus and rail connections are needed, as well as money for cultural life in the countryside.

A second part of the package of demands is under the motto "an effective state and a flourishing economy". Zimmermann said that a regional support program for small and medium-sized enterprises was needed. The judiciary needs to be strengthened, more local police officers and better equipment for the fire department.

The final part of the package focuses on services of general interest with points such as health, care and childcare. According to this, the state is to pay for the increase in daycare fees - as an introduction to a future free daycare center. Saving money will not get us anywhere, said Zimmermann.

Counter-financing also through easing the debt brake

At the same time, she made suggestions for counter-financing. The possibility of relaxing the debt brake decided by the Bundestag and the federal government's special fund could be used for this purpose. Furthermore, the Sächsische Aufbaubank should be put in a position to grant loans to the municipalities and the state should then assume the repayment and interest.

According to Zimmermann, approval of the budget depends on how much movement the minority coalition makes. The package of demands from the CDU and SPD is to be presented this afternoon. "We want something to change here in Saxony. Nothing will change with the current draft budget."

The Saxon CDU-SPD minority government is ten votes short of a majority in parliament. The BSW has 14 MPs, the Greens seven and the Left Party six. These two parliamentary groups also do not want to unconditionally approve the minority government's draft budget for 2025/2026. So far, the CDU has been reluctant to relax the debt brake. The SPD has repeatedly spoken out in favor of this.