Greifswald's citizens decide on drastic austerity measures for 2026

Greifswald's citizens decide on drastic austerity measures for 2026

In Greifswald, the members of the citizenry decided on November 18, 2025 to implement significant savings measures for the 2026 budget. This decision was made across party groups and hits a nerve in times of tight budgets. The targeted savings affect various areas, with education, culture and social affairs being cut by 0.5 percent and finances by a whopping 22 percent. However, specific details about the financial cuts in the individual offices remain up to the administration, which could potentially spark discussions soon. Exceptions to cuts that affect the zoo, the cultural and social pass and the art workshops should be highlighted positively.

A central issue is also the planned cuts in the expense allowances of citizens, which still need to be specified in more detail, but should be described as “appropriate”. At a time when municipalities' wallets are becoming increasingly empty, it is more necessary than ever for all stakeholders to do their part. The cooperation between the SPD and Die Linke, Alliance 90/The Greens and the CDU factions is an example of vibrant local democracy, even if the AfD described the CDU as traitors

Budget under pressure

The Ministry of the Interior, Construction and Digitalization of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has approved the city's double budget for 2025 and 2026 under certain conditions. The financial situation of the city of Greifswald is assessed as being at risk for 2025 and as being eliminated for 2026. The Ministry of the Interior is therefore demanding additional measures from the city to ensure economical budget management. Mayor Dr. Stefan Fassbinder said he was pleased with the approval, but emphasized that the city needed to implement further savings. Discussions within the administration are already being planned in order to publish the budget statutes as quickly as possible.

The situation is alarming for municipalities in Germany. According to the Bertelsmann Foundation, the financial situation of municipalities collapsed across the board last year. Tax revenues are stagnating, while expenses, especially for personnel and social issues, are growing inexorably. The “Municipal Financial Report 2025” paints a dramatic picture, describing a pessimistic outlook for the coming years and naming structural problems that absolutely need to be solved. Brigitte Mohn from the Bertelsmann Foundation is calling for more support from the federal and state governments in order to secure the municipal ability to act in the long term.