Kretschmer Warns Against Centralization of EU Funding

Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has issued an explicit warning against the centralization of EU funding. According to current plans, the European Commission intends to negotiate in the future with the governments of the nation-states rather than with the European regions themselves. 

“If everything goes through Berlin, they can set the priorities there, divert funds, or attach conditions to how the funds are used,” Kretschmer told the German Press Agency. “This undermines the EU’s recipe for success and a Europe of the regions.”

Federal states should be able to set their own priorities

According to Kretschmer, the federal states have fared well so far by setting their own priorities for the use of EU funds. “We’ve invested a lot of money in research, development, and innovation,” he said. Now Saxony risks being caught in the middle.

Eastern Europe is getting excellent opportunities for economic development, which are also financially supported by the EU. Saxony risks losing half of its previous funding volume of about four billion euros from the previous funding period. As a result, many initiatives in the areas of innovation and business establishment would no longer be possible.

Defense obligations must not come at the expense of the regions

“We must now ask the question: What is in the national interest? If the national interest consists solely of transferring less money to Brussels and letting the regions bleed dry, then we have a conflict. Then we should discuss that with one another,” Kretschmer clarified.

Europe must invest more in defense. However, this must not come at the expense of regions that now have the chance to catch up economically: “We do not want to pay for the EU’s defense spending by making cuts here at home. The federal government must understand that.”