55,000 signatures handed over: Alliance demands educational leave in Saxony

An alliance for the introduction of educational leave in Saxony has handed over 55,000 signatures to the President of the Saxon State Parliament, Matthias Rößler. "The huge number of signatures is above all a success of the many volunteers who campaigned for the motion and even exceeded the high hurdle of 40,000 signatures required for a popular motion in Saxony," explained Green Party state leader Christin Furtenbacher. Saxony finally needs a law on educational leave. Alongside Bavaria, the Free State is the only federal state without a legal entitlement to educational leave.

An alliance of trade unions, political parties and church, independent and social organizations had been collecting signatures for the "5 days of educational leave for Saxony" referendum since September. It can now be checked for admissibility. If the MPs reject the bill, the petitioners can launch a referendum. This requires at least 450,000 signatures within six months. If successful, a referendum will be held.