City authorities endorse and approve a dual budget plan
In the city of Darmstadt, Germany, the 2025/26 double budget is progressing, with the city council recently approving an amendment and the medium-term investment programs (MIP) receiving the green light. The approval of the MIP is expected to provide valuable weeks in the new year, as stated by Eva Bredow-Cordier (B90/Greens).
The process appears to be supported by the coalition of the Greens, along with other parties, with ongoing preparations for implementing projects such as a heavy rain early warning system funded by the state. Talks with the CDU's coalition partners, the Greens and Volt, have resumed, with the SPD also allowed to participate.
Hessian Minister of Economics Mansoori has demanded that 77% of federal funds be passed directly to municipalities, a demand that has received support from Mayor Benz, an SPD politician. The coalition parties and SPD have emphasized the importance of taking financially strapped municipalities into account in the allocation of funds.
However, the political situation in Darmstadt remains unstable due to the coalition no longer having a majority in the city council. The FDP has deemed the city budget draft "not approvable", and the FDP district association has sharply criticized the financial policy of the city of Darmstadt and its plans for the double budget.
The opposition, including the Left Party, has criticized the budget for taking from the poor and putting the money into senseless prestige objects. The Left Party has specifically criticized an increase in expenses for the info center on the Mathildenhöhe and a cut in funds for social housing, as well as the cancellation of the planned new construction of the Kita Regenbogenland.
The approval of the Government Presidency Darmstadt is still pending for the budget to pass in its entirety. The Government Presidency has asked for a reduction of the MIP to 75 million euros per year, but the specifics of this request have not been made clear. Green politician Jürgen Barth, who left his party last year, voted in favor of the budget amendment.
Despite the ongoing discussions and criticisms, the 2025/26 double budget in Darmstadt is effectively moving forward with medium-term planning approved, aiming for final budget approval imminently. However, detailed information about government requests for changes and opposition criticism is currently not available from the retrieved documents.
- The coalition of the Greens, along with other parties, is supporting the progress of the 2025/26 double budget in Darmstadt, with discussions on implementing projects like a heavy rain early warning system, funded by the state, taking place.
- Controversies surrounding the 2025/26 double budget in Darmstadt persist, as the opposition, including the Left Party, critiques the allocation of funds towards prestige objects and a decrease in social housing, while the Government Presidency has asked for a reduction of the MIP to 75 million euros annually.
