Controversial debate about the state of the fire department

The AfD in the Saxon state parliament is calling for more money for the fire department. It is incomprehensible that "the government is cutting funding for the fire department", said AfD MP Lars Kuppi during a debate in parliament. Even in the tightest budgetary situation, the fire department must be a top priority. The AfD had organized the debate under the motto "Tatütata, the fire department is no longer there - why?".

"The fire department is still here, but primarily because we still have citizens for whom this voluntary work is a matter of the heart. Our unreserved appreciation goes to them," emphasized Kuppi. However, the comrades need more for their commitment. "They need impeccable equipment, proper and suitable protective clothing, equipment sheds with sanitary facilities, means of communication and, above all, planning security for the future."

AfD demands an additional 55 million euros for the fire service

The AfD is demanding an additional 55 million euros for the fire department in the budget negotiations for 2025 and 2026. According to statistics, Saxony has around 1,700 voluntary fire departments and a total of 43,000 firefighters in addition to eight professional fire departments.

Minister of the Interior vehemently contradicts AfD

Minister of the Interior Armin Schuster (CDU) vehemently contradicted the AfD. In Saxony, the state and local authorities have invested around 750 million euros in this area over the past seven years. That is the best in Germany. Although there is an austerity budget in Saxony, there is no austerity budget in civil protection. "We are not cutting funding for fire protection to zero," Schuster clarified in the face of claims to the contrary.

Member of Parliament Kerstin Nikolaus (CDU) thought the title of the debate was wrong. The fire department is always there. She could not understand the lamentation and also could not see that the equipment was poor. However, there are also negative outliers. The only thing that the AfD and the fire department have in common is perhaps a penchant for uniforms, noted SPD politician Sophie Koch. The fire departments are by no means at an end.

Greens politician Valentin Lippmann pointed out a logical error in the AfD's debate title: If the fire department is not there, there is no tatütata. He accused the AfD of once again conjuring up the downfall of the West. However, his party also sees a lot of catching up to do.