Michael Siebel: "There will be no blatant price increases without a plan from the SPD."
The SPD parliamentary group in Darmstadt has reacted with strong criticism to reports that the Green Party might be planning to increase parking fees in Darmstadt . SPD parliamentary group leader Michael Siebel expressed surprise at the public communication from the Green Party's parliamentary office and clarified: "There are no concrete decisions or figures yet, only wishful thinking from the Greens."
Siebel emphasized that while the issue had been addressed within the framework of the jointly developed budget consolidation plan , neither a plan nor a proposal from the responsible department head, Andreas Wandrey, available. "This approach is very irritating, especially since we, as the SPD parliamentary group, together with the minority coalition, assumed responsibility for budget consolidation," Siebel continued.
The SPD parliamentary group leader warned against viewing parking fees solely as a source of revenue:
"According to the road traffic regulations, parking fees primarily serve to manage parking spaces , not to balance the budget. An increase must not be misused to plug budget gaps."
The goal must remain to protect residents from excessive parking pressure and to use the funds specifically for improving urban infrastructure. "The SPD will not allow a blunt increase without a sound plan. We are eager to see what the responsible department head has to present," Siebel declared.
Regarding the political cooperation within the minority coalition, the SPD chairman spoke plainly: “With the adoption of the budget, we have assumed responsibility. But the Greens shouldn't think that we, like the CDU and Volt, will let them lead us around the local political arena by the nose.” Should this communication continue, the coalition will have to “find its own majority for its ideas.”.
(DARMSTADT – RED/SPD)
