Saxony wants to remain capable of acting with fewer staff

Saxony wants to reform the Free State's administration and manage with fewer staff in future. The aim is to set up and modernize the administration in such a way that it remains capable of acting with fewer staff in the medium and long term, the government announced after a budget meeting in Hartenstein (Zwickau district). The Free State currently has around 96,000 jobs. The original plan was to make do with around 70,000. The retreat was used for initial considerations for the 2027/2028 double budget.

Kretschmer also sees financial constraints as an opportunity

"The financial challenges we are facing are huge. However, we can also see them as an opportunity to move things forward here in the Free State," explained Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU). For example, Saxony wants to be "in the fast lane" when it comes to the digitalization of administration in order to relieve the burden on the economy and citizens. "Experimental clauses for leaner administrative procedures, as made possible by the federal government, also make sense in order to further improve the investment climate here."

Petra Köpping (SPD), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs, reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining scope for important investments in the upcoming double budget despite necessary savings. "Citizens expect this balance - and we want to meet this demand." For example, the aim is to further modernize hospitals, make the economy fit for the future, drive forward digitalization and continue to support social projects.

Köpping prepares the population for cuts

According to Köpping, there will still have to be cuts in the next budget. "Our task will be to make them bearable and cushion them in the best possible way," emphasized the SPD politician.

According to the State Chancellery, the two-day retreat was the prelude to further talks on the future double budget. Marcel Thum, head of the Dresden branch of the Ifo Institute, gave a guest lecture on financial and economic policy conditions. Other topics discussed at the meeting included the transformation of the automotive and supplier industry and the development of future industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology.

Finance Minister urges consolidation

The Saxon state parliament had only adopted the double budget for 2025/2026 at the end of June. It provides for expenditure totaling around 50.2 billion euros. In order to compensate for a funding gap of four billion euros, the government also resorted to the red pencil. Finance Minister Christian Piwarz (CDU) spoke of a "transitional budget". This would buy time to tackle the necessary consolidation. The overall situation for the next budget could be even more difficult, he announced.