Social organizations warn of the long-term consequences of the currently planned cuts in the 2025/2026 double budget. "In our opinion, the draft budget does not meet the great demands we have in Saxony for the coming years and especially for the coming period," said Markus Schlimbach, Chairman of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Saxony, on the occasion of the beginning consultations in the state parliament committees.
Welfare association: Saving exacerbates the problems of tomorrow
The social infrastructure is barely being maintained, but what is actually needed is powerful investment in social infrastructure and education. The cuts would exacerbate social problems, said Michael Richter, Managing Director of the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband Sachsen. The costs would decrease in the short term due to savings in the areas of prevention, integration, education and family support, but would increase in the long term.
Criticism of cuts to democracy education and integration
Andrea Hübler, spokesperson for the Tolerant Saxony Network, warned against a reduction in democracy work and political education. She spoke of a disservice to the state's own security authorities, but also to daycare centers and schools that benefit from these services. "Making such massive cuts here now will destroy structures that have been painstakingly built up, probably irretrievably," said Hübler. However, democracy is not a sure-fire success. The government cannot just name right-wing extremism as the greatest challenge, but must also act accordingly.
The CDU and SPD draft also envisages cuts in the area of integration. If the current plans remain in place, all services funded by the state will be closed next year, said Richter. "Anyone who cuts integration work today is risking the social peace of tomorrow," warned Angela Müller, Executive Director of the Saxon Refugee Council.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
