First-Ever Public Hearings on Petitions in the State Legislature

For the first time, the Saxon State Parliament’s Petitions Committee is holding a public hearing. Next Tuesday (September 1), the committee will hear from the petitioner as well as representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Saxon Reconstruction Bank on the topic of “Recovery of 2020 COVID-19 Emergency Aid —Protection of Legitimate Expectations for the Self-Employed,” as announced by the State Parliament. This public petition had garnered 2,698 signatures on the Saxon State Parliament’s website.

Since the start of this legislative session, public petitions have been able to be submitted on the Saxon State Parliament’s website. If more than 2,500 people sign a petition, the Petitions Committee must deliberate on whether to hold a public hearing. The Petitions Committee has 24 members from all political groups represented in the State Parliament.

When petitions have a particularly high number of signatories, it seems that interest in the issue is especially high, says Daniela Kuge, chair of the Petitions Committee. “A public hearing makes the deliberations—and often the important details—easier for interested citizens to understand.”

Another Public Hearing

Another public hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday (September 3). The topic is “Preserving and Expanding School Social Work—for Strong Schools in Saxony.” This petition was signed by 4,621 people. Anyone may participate in the hearings.