Bayern to Support Financial Package in the Federal Council
The Free State of Bavaria will support the planned amendments to the Basic Law in the Federal Council on Friday, said Florian Herrmann, the head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, on Monday evening after a coalition meeting between the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Free Voters.
“We will also submit a protocol declaration that reiterates the position of the Bavarian state government” Herrmann said. The state government’s concerns revolve around three main points, he explained.
Firstly, the inclusion of the term “climate neutrality by 2045” in the Basic Law, which the Bavarian state government does not understand as a constitutional mandate or a state goal.
Secondly, the transfer of new tasks to the municipalities without corresponding funding from the federal government must come to an end. The goal is to establish a clear principle of interconnectedness at the expense of the federal budget, Herrmann stated.
Thirdly, the federal grant distribution must be changed in a way that permanently relieves Bavaria, he said. The allocated funds should be used exclusively for additional investments, he added.
Lastly, in addition to investments, structural reforms and budget consolidation must be tackled with emphasis, particularly in light of the planned changes to the debt brake, Herrmann said.
Earlier, the head of the Free Voters, Hubert Aiwanger, had publicly questioned the support of his party for the federal investments in the Federal Council, sparking speculation about a potential exit of the CSU and Free Voters from the Bavarian coalition.