SPD wants to prevent further school closures in Saxony

The Saxon SPD wants to prevent further school closures. The background to this is the concern that schools will close in the coming years due to declining pupil numbers. In Dresden, SPD party and parliamentary group leader Henning Homann referred to forecasts according to which, on average, only 60 percent of today's pupils will still be there in 2040. In large cities, the proportion could even be lower.

Homann sees several levers for solving the problem

"It is important that we act early to maintain our school structure, that we take action when we can still make a difference," said Homann. The aim is to maintain as many schools as possible. We need to talk about minimum enrolment numbers as well as the number of classes per year group, longer joint learning and inter-year teaching. "These are the most important levers (...) There is an acute need for action here."

Homann also referred to a great need for reform in other respects. "If you want to shape the future, you can't just get caught up in day-to-day politics, you also have to be prepared to tackle the big issues in society." Reforms mean improving things. It is important to be open and honest. His party is ready for reform. "At this point, I would also like to call on all political parties in Saxony in general to face up to the necessary reforms and the discussions they require. Because there is undoubtedly a lot to do."

Pension reform particularly important for East Germans

The SPD politician recalled the reform commission set up to give local authorities more leeway. It is necessary to unbundle state and municipal tasks so that work is not done twice and three times, but more quickly and simply. At federal level, the pension reform should be mentioned first and foremost. For East Germans, the statutory pension is the most important building block of old-age security, as there are no large assets, large share packages or company pensions.

Great differences in wealth

Homann called on his party to tackle the necessary social reforms. "We want to use our own strength to renew the welfare state in Germany and put it on a sound footing," said Homann. "We all know that we will only achieve the necessary acceptance for social reforms if people with broader shoulders also contribute more." In recent years, massive wealth has accumulated in Germany. One percent of people in Germany own 35 percent of the country's wealth. "The number of billionaires in Germany has increased eightfold since 2015." In no other major European country is wealth taxed so low.