NRW criticizes the Federal Government for old debt gap: Solution for municipalities in danger

NRW criticizes the Federal Government for old debt gap: Solution for municipalities in danger

NRW demands justice in the case of old debt repayment

Berlin (ots)

The discussion about the old debt gap takes up speed, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia. The state government underlines the need for a fair solution for the municipal debts and demands support from the federal government.

The focus of the criticism is the current federal budget 2025, which, from the perspective of the NRW state government, does not provide sufficient measures to repay the old debt. Local Minister Ina Scharrenbach emphasizes the willingness of the country to provide a quarter billion euros annually to repay the old debts from 2025. This step is necessary to relieve the cities and municipalities and create a stable financial basis.

The black and green state government had already submitted a specific proposal for the old debt reply in June. This stipulates that a total of 7.5 billion euros of municipal debt burden of around 21 billion euros will be removed over a period of 30 years. NRW now also demands financial support from the federal government to be able to implement this project.

The deputy SPD leader Achim Post, on the other hand, rejects all blame and emphasizes that it is due to the CDU and especially Mr. Merz to block an old debt solution in the Bundestag. Post emphasizes the need for a two-thirds majority for a change in the Basic Law that is currently being denied by the CDU.

The debate about the old debts shows the complex dynamics between the state and federal government, as well as the challenges in the financing of local tasks. A fair and sustainable solution is crucial to secure the stability of the municipalities in the long term and to counteract social inequalities.

- Nag