Darmstadt's mayor Benz warns of a loss of trust in politics
43rd General Assembly of the German Association of Cities concluded in Hanover on Thursday (May 15) with a clear appeal to the federal and state governments "Together we are the city," delegates called for more financial flexibility, greater freedom to shape policy, and an expansion of digital administration .
Mayor Hanno Benz , Deputy Mayor Barbara Akdeniz , City Treasurer André Schellenberg , Environment Officer Michael Kolmer and Mobility Officer Paul Georg Wandrey also attended the meeting.
“Local communities are where people directly experience politics,” said Mayor Hanno Benz . “When infrastructure deteriorates, budget cuts affect daily life, and innovations fail to materialize, this is perceived as political failure – and therefore also as a crisis of democracy.”
Record deficits threaten the ability of local authorities to act
The declaration adopted by the German Association of Cities to provide significantly more financial support to municipalities . This comes in response to the record deficit of €25 billion recorded by municipalities nationwide in 2024. Darmstadt is also affected: its current budget deficit stands at €36 million .
Benz particularly criticized the imbalance between responsibilities and revenues:
"Local authorities shoulder a quarter of all state services, but receive only one seventh of the revenue."
The general assembly also emphasized the central role of cities in digital transformation , climate protection and mobility, as well as in social services . To do justice to all of this, municipal action must be strengthened less bureaucracy and more scope for decision-making
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD)
