On Thursday (from 10.00 a.m.), the Saxon state parliament will hold its first debate on the draft double budget for 2025 and 2026. The government presented it on March 24 and submitted it to the state parliament. According to the draft, around 25 billion euros are to be spent in each of the two years. For the first time in many years, Saxony is also cutting jobs.
Finance Minister Christian Piwarz (CDU) had spoken of painful cuts in many areas. Nevertheless, the draft budget should also include investments in the future. Despite the tense financial situation, political priorities such as the funding of teachers are to be spared from cuts. Saxony had to close a funding gap of 4.3 billion euros.
One third of the budget for local authorities
One third of the budget is earmarked for local authorities. However, they would still remain under financial pressure, it was said. Piwarz called for reforms at federal level. The rapid rise in social spending would take away the municipalities' breathing space. Piwarz also warned the state itself of difficult times ahead. He assumed that the current double budget would only be the start of tougher cuts.
The minority government of the CDU and SPD is ten votes short of a majority in the state parliament. A consultation mechanism has therefore been developed to involve the opposition parties in the government's plans at an early stage and at the same time give them the opportunity to push through their own projects. The AfD has so far refused to participate in the mechanism.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
