Berlin, Germany – The Head of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities (DStGB), André Berghegger, has called for a financial boost for local authorities from the special fund for the federal states, ahead of the upcoming coalition committee of the new federal government.
Berghegger emphasized the urgent need for cities and municipalities to receive the funds, citing a significant investment backlog of 186 billion euros, which is increasing. He urged the federal government to consider the precarious financial situation of local authorities when implementing the special fund.
The DStGB head also addressed the issue of asylum seekers, stating that cities and municipalities are still at the limit in terms of accommodating, providing for and integrating refugees. He called for a genuine and clear limitation on illegal migration and proposed the suspension of voluntary take-in programs for asylum seekers, as well as the acceleration of deportations for those without a right to stay.
Furthermore, Berghegger emphasized the need for investments in the integration of individuals who are allowed to stay in Germany, including job market integration, school and kindergarten integration and the expansion of the Startchancen program.
The coalition committee of the new federal government, comprising the CDU, CSU and SPD, is set to meet for the first time on Wednesday, with the aim of prioritizing their work until the summer break. Some issues, however, are still contentious, both in terms of content and urgency and resistance to certain proposals is expected from the federal states.