Saxony's cities and municipalities demand municipal freedom law

Saxony's cities and municipalities are calling for a "municipal freedom law". In view of precarious finances and a lack of skilled workers, the new government will have no choice but to put public administration to the test, said Bert Wendsche, President of the Saxon Association of Towns and Municipalities (SSG), in Dresden. "We need a radical streamlining to get fit for the future."

More local self-government and less state should be the guiding principle, demanded Wendsche. To achieve this, regulations that restrict self-administration should be critically examined and, if possible, abolished. In addition, the SSG believes that superfluous reporting obligations or mandatory appointments of commissioners should be eliminated in future.

The SSG is also calling for the new government, which will emerge from the state elections on September 1, to strengthen Saxony as a business location. Healthy companies and well-paid jobs are needed, and in many places what has been created is impressive. "For more growth, however, we need to go one better," said Wendsche. The SSG therefore sees itself as a supporter of politics and companies in order to strengthen Saxony as a business location, attract skilled workers and employees and reduce bureaucracy.