Darmstadt's mayor Benz warns of a loss of trust in politics
The 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 . Under the motto "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 calls on the federal and state governments 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 through less bureaucracy and more scope for decision-making
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD)
