Chairman of the district council BrandenburgSiegurd Heinze, raised concerns about the city’s high budget deficit. In Brandenburg, all 14 districts now have unbalanced budgets, Heinze (64) told “Märkische Allgemeine” (MAZ). He called for increased revenues for municipal governments and relief from “exorbitant spending obligations”, especially those relating to social benefits.
Heinze (independent) warned that otherwise public life in the districts could grind to a halt – from sports clubs to culture and youth promotion to museums and regional libraries. “It would be a kind of shutdown of the city.” This is a national problem. Of the 294 districts in Germany, 251 districts are currently experiencing a budget deficit.
“Losing acceptance and trust of citizens”
“But the worst thing is: we lost the acceptance and trust of citizens,” Heinze told “MAZ”. “Frustration is emerging and a feeling that local politicians are unable to take action. However, this will not contribute to strengthening democracy.” He demanded from Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU): “Start the turbo engine for rapid and sustainable labor market integration for society’s beneficiaries and other job beneficiaries.”
Heinze has been the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district administrator since 2010 and chairman of the district council since 2022. He will not seek re-election in January.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251114-930-291750/1
