Prime ministers from Bavaria and Hesse, together with the CDU leader of Baden-Württemberg, announced the creation of a “Three Lions Alliance” aimed at strengthening cooperation among the three southern German states in the Bundesrat and enabling joint cabinet meetings.
The three union politicians made the announcement in Berlin on Friday. Markus Söder, the CSU leader and Bavarian premier, said that Southern Germany has not worked together closely enough in recent years. He described the failure of the Länderfinanzausgleich as akin to a “citizens’ money” system that has collapsed and mentioned a “transfer unraveling”. Söder noted that Bavaria alone contributes almost €12 billion-a historic high-calling for a reform of the system to achieve a fairer balance. The alliance is also intended to promote new technologies, such as quantum computing and robotics, and to deepen collaboration in education, research, and development. The goal is to further grow the economic strength of the southern states and accelerate innovation.
Manuel Hagel, the CDU candidate for Baden-Württemberg’s premiership, warned that Germany is under pressure, citing high energy, bureaucratic, and tax costs as major problems. He urged policymakers to decide whether to look back or forward, arguing that the Three Lions Alliance should help protect jobs and strengthen the economy. Hagel highlighted that more than 40 percent of German economic output comes from the three states, and that 70 percent of patent applications originate in these regions.