Left: CDU must give up resistance to new debt

The Left Party is sticking to loans for investments. Rico Gebhardt, member of the state parliament, called on the CDU to give up its resistance. "Saxony's CDU must decide whether it wants to put our state at a huge competitive disadvantage. If it continues to reject any borrowing, then Saxony would have to forego urgently needed investment opportunities," said the MP.

The background to this is a decision by the Bundestag, which also authorizes the federal states to borrow to a certain extent. The Basic Law now grants the federal states a credit line of 0.35 percent of gross domestic product per year. According to Gebhardt, Saxony could borrow between 566 million and 770 million euros, depending on how the principle is interpreted.

Leftists fear a rude awakening

"If the CDU does not finally show economic expertise, there will be a rude awakening. A lot of money is needed for daycare centres, schools, railways, bridges, housing, energy grids, climate protection, digitalization, fire departments and much more," emphasized Gebhardt. This would not only strengthen the economy, but also maintain social cohesion and increase trust in democracy. "All of this is desperately needed."

The Greens and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in the Saxon state parliament also believe that new borrowing for investments is the right thing to do. The CDU and AfD are so far strictly opposed to this.