Opposition puts pressure on the budget with motions

Pressure is growing from the opposition in the Saxon state parliament on the minority coalition of CDU and SPD. As the coalition is ten votes short of its own majority, it is dependent on the cooperation of the Left, the Greens and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). These three parliamentary groups have repeatedly made their voices heard with amendments. Now the Left and the Greens have followed suit.

The Greens took Christopher Street Day in Dresden as an opportunity to call for more money for equal opportunities, acceptance of sexual and gender diversity and anti-discrimination projects: they are to be increased by 1.2 million to a total of 4 million euros in the coming year.

Greens: government must stand by the queer community

"We are currently seeing discrimination becoming socially acceptable again and attacks increasing. We need a clear signal from the state government that we are on the side of the queer community. Especially in rural areas, the need for support is increasing - in order to cover this, the organizations and associations need sufficient financial support," explained MP Katja Maier, former Minister for Justice, Democracy, Europe and Equality.

Another motion by the Greens aims to prevent plans to cut Leipzig's cultural institutions. "The 22 percent cut to the DOK Film Festival is downright destructive. The city of Leipzig would not be able to compensate for such existentially threatening losses (...)", explained MP Claudia Maicher.

Cuts to the Bach Archive/Bach Festival, the Gallery of Contemporary Art and the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Foundation would also mean more than just a temporary cut, Maicher emphasized. This is because the Free State, as a co-founder, has always provided equal funding with the City of Leipzig. Maicher accused the government of "excessive consolidation mania".

Left-wing parties call for more money for child and youth welfare

The left-wing parties drew attention to the needs of young people shortly before International Children's Day on June 1 and called for measures to combat child poverty and for strong child and youth welfare. The Left Party criticized that the government's draft budget only provides for a stagnation of funds for central youth policy funding instruments. However, the costs would rise due to inflation and wage increases.

"The Left Party has requested increases in all of these areas. For example, the youth allowance, which is used to finance services in districts and independent cities, is to be increased from 15 million to 16.5 million euros per year," emphasized MP Juliane Nagel. This is necessary so that local services can be maintained.