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Pankow's double budget 2026/2027: debts, austerity measures and worries
Pankow passes double budget 2026/2027 to stabilize finances; Social offers and challenges in focus.
Pankow's double budget 2026/2027: debts, austerity measures and worries
The Pankow district is facing major financial challenges after the double budget for 2026 and 2027 was passed with the votes of the Greens, CDU, SPD and FDP. This has reignited debate about the district's financial stability. Loud loky* The budget volume totals 1.4 billion euros per year, while the district faces debts of 23 million euros by 2029.
The SPD parliamentary group, supported by the parties mentioned, intends to maintain important social offerings despite financial bottlenecks. These offers include, for example, economic development, family centers and youth social work, which are all part of a strategic orientation to strengthen the social infrastructure in Pankow, reports SPD faction Pankow.
A worrying deficit
In 2023, Pankow recorded a budget deficit of 11 million euros, with a forecast of around 7 million euros for 2024. Given this situation, the district office imposed a budget freeze on April 15, 2025. This measure is intended to promote the search for savings and increases in revenue in order to stabilize the budget, according to the press release from the district office Berlin.de explained.
The problems are structural and result from unfavorable financing mechanisms in the state of Berlin. Pankow and other districts are systematically disadvantaged when it comes to the distribution of resources, and this has a negative impact on the social services that are urgently needed for the population.
Reduction in administrative expenses and renovations
In order to reduce the financial pressure, administrative expenses in Pankow will be reduced by more than 1.7 million euros. At the same time, numerous school renovations are in jeopardy, and the swimming buses for third graders are being canceled. Despite these negative developments, additional funds should be made available for family centers and the maintenance of schoolyards and sports facilities. According to the budget, for example, 550,000 euros are earmarked for the renovation of schoolyards and 640,000 euros for the maintenance of sports facilities.
City administrations are required to find a balance between exercising social responsibility and strictly adhering to a responsible budget. The challenges are complex, especially because Pankow has to cope with a high intake of refugees, which is not sufficiently taken into account in the financial planning.
Calls for reforms
The district mayor Dr. Cordelia Koch has repeatedly spoken out in favor of reforming the financing structures. These are intended to help ensure that Pankow receives the funds it needs to meet the growing demand for social infrastructure. In order not to endanger the districts' ability to act, a fair distribution of funds is crucial. Dr. Koch is calling for a review of the rules for financial allocation, which are particularly inadequate for children's and youth leisure facilities and lead to a deficit of 500,000 euros.
The discrepancy between the actual needs of the population and the available resources remains one of the biggest challenges for Pankow in the coming years. The parliamentary groups are asked to develop creative solutions to secure the future of the district while ensuring socioeconomically equitable development.