ADVERTISING
Michael Siebel: “There will be no crude increase without a plan under the SPD”
The SPD parliamentary group in Darmstadt has responded with strong criticism to reports that the Greens might be planning to increase parking fees in Darmstadt . SPD parliamentary group leader Michael Siebel expressed surprise at the Green Party's public communication and clarified: "There are no concrete decisions or figures yet, but rather the Greens' wishful thinking."
Siebel emphasized that although the issue had been addressed as part of the jointly developed budget consolidation plan , neither a plan nor a proposal from the responsible department head, Andreas Wandrey exists. "This approach is very irritating, especially since we, as the SPD parliamentary group, have assumed responsibility for budget consolidation together with the minority coalition," Siebel continued.
In terms of content, the SPD parliamentary group leader warned against viewing parking fees as a mere source of revenue:
"According to the Road Traffic Act, parking fees primarily serve to control parking space , not to balance the budget. An increase must not be abused to plug budget holes."
The goal must remain to protect residents from excessive parking pressure and to use the funds specifically to improve the city's infrastructure. "The SPD will not allow a blunt increase without a sound concept. We are curious to see what the responsible department head has to offer," Siebel explained.
With regard to the political cooperation within the minority coalition, the SPD chairman was clear: "We have assumed responsibility by passing the budget. But the Greens should not think that we, like the CDU and Volt, will allow them to lead us by the nose through the local political arena." If the communication continues in this way, the coalition will have to "find its own majority for its ideas."
(DARMSTADT – RED/SPD)
