CDU welcomes rapprochement on special assets

The Saxon CDU parliamentary group has welcomed the rapprochement between the Free State and local authorities regarding the distribution of special funds from the federal government. "This agreement is an important prerequisite for us now being able to move swiftly into implementation," said Ronny Wähner, local government spokesperson for the CDU parliamentary group, according to a press release. It is crucial that the funds arrive quickly and in a targeted manner, particularly because of the major challenges in education and the expansion and renovation of roads and bridges.

The Saxon Association of Towns and Municipalities (SSG) announced on Thursday that it supported the results of the agreement between the two municipal state associations and the government. According to the information, almost 60 percent of the 4.8 billion euros that the Free State will receive from the special fund will go directly to the municipalities.

CDU wants to consider demands for minimum investment volume

The SSG also wants the money to benefit smaller projects. SSG President Bert Wendsche called on the state parliament to lower the minimum investment volume from 250,000 euros to 50,000 euros. Wähner announced concessions on this point. The suggestions would be taken into account in the next amendment to the Saxony Fund Act. "Our aim remains to ensure that the federal government's funds also have a noticeable impact in smaller towns and municipalities."

The Bundestag and Bundesrat had agreed on a special fund of 500 billion euros for additional investment in infrastructure and climate protection. Of this, €100 billion is to go to the federal states, which will decide how to allocate it themselves. Saxony will receive 400 million euros each over the next twelve years.