Concerns are mounting among major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, regarding the potential for inequitable distribution of funds from the federal government’s special asset for infrastructure development.
According to Thomas Eiskirch, chairman of the NRW Municipal Association and Mayor of Bochum, an initial draft of the federal legislation outlining the allocation of these funds stipulated a minimum requirement of 60% of the total amount that regional governments must pass on to municipalities. This provision, he stated, has been removed from the finalized draft approved by the federal cabinet, reportedly at the urging of certain regional governments.
City officials are voicing fears that a substantially lower percentage than the initially proposed 60% reaching municipalities would be detrimental, given that local authorities bear the primary financial responsibility for infrastructure projects across NRW.
The NRW Municipal Association is now intensifying pressure on the state’s black-green (CDU/Green Party) government. They are advocating for a guarantee that NRW municipalities receive at least 78% of the federal funds. This figure, according to Eiskirch, reflects the historical proportion of NRW investment expenditure handled by municipalities over the past five years, ensuring a fair share for local government. The association argues that maintenance of this level of funding is crucial for the continued delivery of vital infrastructure services.