The district of Zwickau is sounding the alarm about the financial situation of Saxony's districts and is calling on the state to change course. Despite short-term rescue packages, the structural underfunding of the districts is growing, according to a resolution passed by the district council.
"A deficit of around 800 million euros is forecast for 2024 and 2025, with a rising trend in the medium term." The financial requirements for social services, youth welfare, personnel and local public transport are growing. All of this is leading to an unmanageable situation.
What is at stake - resolution calls for a change of course
The local parliament is calling on the state to ensure that the districts have the basic financial resources they need, particularly with regard to social spending. Standards must also be lowered and bureaucracy reduced. The district councillors warn that voluntary services should not be sacrificed in order to finance compulsory tasks. "This would lead to the end of social life in rural areas and have a devastating effect on the mood in the state."
Voluntary services already account for far less than 5 percent of the budget in the Zwickau district,
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