The escalating dispute over the principle of “Veranlassungskonnexität” – essentially, ensuring financial compensation for subnational entities when the federal government imposes new responsibilities – is intensifying, with Thuringia’s Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) now publicly ratcheting up the pressure on Berlin. Voigt, in an interview with “Focus” magazine, is advocating for a legally binding and immutable regulation that automatically triggers compensatory payments whenever the federal government creates new tasks.
His call highlights a growing concern among state and local governments regarding the increasing financial burden imposed by federal initiatives. Voigt articulated the frustration felt across the country, stating that the current system, where the federal government formulates policies and programs without adequately funding their implementation at the state and municipal levels, is creating an unsustainable strain on local budgets. He used the analogy of an increasingly heavy backpack to illustrate the escalating responsibility felt by local authorities.
The core disagreement revolves around the scope of any new regulation. While the federal government aims to limit the principle of “Konnexität” to performance laws (Leistungsgesetze), the states (Länder) are demanding broader coverage, including taxation laws. This difference in perspective underscores a deeper power struggle between the Bundestag (federal parliament) and the Bundesrat (upper house representing the states).
Voigt’s intervention is more than just a procedural argument; it represents a challenge to the established division of powers within the German system. His appeal for a “new form of cooperation” and an end to “constant bickering” between the Bundestag and Bundesrat suggests a desire for fundamental reform in the way policy decisions are made and financed. The debate now centers not only on the concrete financial implications, but also on the equitable distribution of responsibility and power within the German political landscape, placing the stability of intergovernmental relations under increasing scrutiny and potentially foreshadowing a protracted struggle for legislative supremacy.