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After a long debate and with the votes of the CDU and FDP, the district council passed the budget. All other parliamentary groups, whose proposals were rejected dozens of times and without exception, voted against the figures.
Fulda – The CDU parliamentary group leader, Thomas Hering, praised the budget in his speech on Monday (March 2) as a “harmonious, delicate, very colorful mosaic”. Although a deficit is expected for the sixth year in a row – a total of 28.5 million euros – this could be offset by reserves.
Hering pointed out that 64 percent of the profit budget goes to the area of social security. “No one should be left out of sight. Anyone who is in need can rely on our solidarity. But this solidarity is not a one-way street,” emphasized the CDU man and demanded: “Everyone must ask themselves whether there are other solutions than always enforcing their demands one-to-one.”
Focus on social spending: Fulda district council approves budget
Hering praised the investments amounting to 78 million euros, which will benefit, among other things, broadband expansion, schools and district roads. The district gives the municipalities a lot of room for maneuver, although the district compensation amount is reduced to two million euros. The CDU deliberately refrained from submitting applications. “We stand by the budget plan.”
Mario Klotzsche, parliamentary group leader of the FDP, also praised: “The budget contains the right amount of investment and puts the right focus on schools, district roads as well as fiber optic and broadband expansion.” Nevertheless, Klotzsche also found, also against the background that two thirds of the expenditure fell on the social sector: “The scope is becoming smaller.”
Deborah Müller-Kottusch from the Greens/Volt took a more critical stance on the budget. She called for spending to be examined from a climate justice perspective. “When it comes to money for our livelihood, there is haggling and rejection,” criticized Müller-Kottusch.
Birgit Kömpel warns against one-sided debates
She called for more photovoltaic systems on district-owned buildings, nationwide social work and a housing exchange. The Green parliamentary group leader also complained: “The district equalization stock no longer equalizes, but redistributes. Financially strong municipalities should show solidarity – even if they are led by the CDU.”
The deputy parliamentary group leader of the SPD, Birgit Kömpel, warned that the debate should not be one-sided in view of the high social spending. “Yes, we have a spending problem. Yes, there is a problem with integration assistance. But we also have a revenue problem: our tax law allows some people to evade their responsibilities.”
Kömpel argued: “If more and more people are dependent on help, then it is not a household problem, but a social warning signal.” What is needed is prevention and a stabilization of living conditions instead of blanket debates about cuts. “The Fulda district can also do more here,” said Kömpel. Overall, the budget is “technically sound, but at the same time politically defensive”: “It manages problems instead of consistently tackling them at the root.”
Christians for East Hesse present “bundles of measures”.
The AfD parliamentary group leader, Pierre Lamely, diagnosed federal political errors in migration policy that “do not contribute to stabilizing the budget of the Fulda district.” Anton Josef Rummel from the Citizens for East Hesse also criticized the “asylum spending”.
Thomas Grünkorn, parliamentary group leader of the CWE, praised: “Despite the considerable deficit, the district and school levy will not be increased. We definitely think that's a good thing.” Nevertheless, the district takes in more money in this area, which is why it is understandable that the mayors are calling for an increase in the district compensation amount. The CWE wants several smaller changes to the budget, including an additional 12,000 euros for the food banks in Fulda, Hünfeld and Flieden.
Jens Mierdel, parliamentary group leader of the Christians for East Hesse, presented a “bundle of measures” consisting of several packages in his speech. Among other things, he called for cuts in benefits in the asylum sector, more money for help and support during pregnancy and one-off, targeted family support of 125 euros per child “in difficult household situations”.
Fulda district council discusses 38 budget proposals
Michael Wahl from the Die Linke.Opene Liste parliamentary group also addressed social spending in his speech. “Social spending is not luxury spending. Behind these numbers are people in difficult life situations who depend on our solidarity. The spending enables participation and maintains people's dignity.”
Wahl spoke out against “painting the budget black”, but also criticized, for example, cycle path projects. “We support the expansion in principle. However, the cost increases are incomprehensible and do not indicate an economic approach.”
In the subsequent debate, the district council discussed a total of 38 budget proposals – and rejected all of them without exception. The CDU and FDP ultimately voted for the budget. The Greens/Volt, SPD, AfD, CWE, Christians for East Hesse, The Left.Open List and Rummel (Citizens for East Hesse) voted against it.
