Suche
Mein Konto
50,000 euros for each community: Nevertheless, the financial crisis remains!
The Rostock district receives 50,000 euros per municipality for funding, but remains trapped in financial crises.
50,000 euros for each community: Nevertheless, the financial crisis remains!
The Rostock district can look forward to a financial blessing: each municipality will receive 50,000 euros from the federal government's debt-based special fund. Nordkurier reports that the funds are primarily available for investments. This decision leads to mixed reactions because despite the joy of the financial windfall, awareness of the serious financial situation at the municipal level remains.
District Administrator Sebastian Constien (SPD) describes the results of the local summit as a success and recognizes the importance of the money, which was originally intended as part of a much larger program. While the state originally wanted to distribute 1.2 billion euros over twelve years, all municipalities will now receive the one-off payment for their own use. This is a sign of more flexibility, as Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) emphasizes, who points out that visible improvements should be achieved in every municipality.
The challenges remain
But the joy of the new means is overshadowed by reality. The CDU parliamentary group leader Axel Wiechmann criticizes the bureaucracy and describes the 50,000 euros as inadequate. The forecasts for the district's finances are not very encouraging given an expected deficit of 42 million euros for 2026. Here, the municipalities are faced with the challenge of providing citizens with the best possible care, while at the same time the topic of a possible increase in the district levy is being discussed.
Head of Finance Anja Kerl (SPD) points out that early planning is necessary for increasing the district levy. Even if the new funds benefit the communities, they are not intended to address the deficit, but primarily for investments. District Administrator Constien warns urgently that the special fund must not hide the financial difficulties of the municipalities.
Special assets in context
The special fund was approved by the Bundestag on September 18, 2023 and is to be invested over the next twelve years. A total of 100 billion euros is available to support infrastructure projects throughout Germany. According to Kommunal, these funds will be distributed according to the Königstein key, with some federal states, such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, only receiving 1.9% of the total. This highlights the existing inequalities in the allocation of resources, which many municipalities criticize.
The financial stimulus is intended for local investments in education, infrastructure and climate protection, but concerns are also expressed that these funds could not be used sustainably. Critics warn against a redeclaration of existing budget obligations and call for direct, unbureaucratic procedures for allocating funds.
In summary, it can be said that the Rostock district can look to the future with positive news. The 50,000 euros per community is a step in the right direction, but the challenges are far from overcome.