Munich coalition agreement is just one day old - already hailing criticism - "More than short-sighted"

The coalition agreement of the new city government caused criticism just one day after publication. FDP and CSU complain that the SPD and Greens promise a lot, but the financing is unclear. 

• According to previous estimates, the Corona * pandemic will probably cost the city around 700 million euros
• Munich is also facing billions of dollars in investments and expenses
• There is much criticism of the new coalition agreement from Rot-Grün in view of the tight financial situation

Munich - The trade tax is bubbling, every year new record income ends up in the city's sack, the per capita debt sinks to levels as low as they have not been reached since 1980. But the golden age seems over . Treasurer Christoph Frey (SPD) had already raised a finger in December. Because of the enormous investments that have already been decided under the black-red town hall cooperation, new debts will threaten from 2021 , because more loans are needed.

Construction work in Munich 

Jörg Hoffmann (FDP) cares about the city's finances.

© Marcus sleep

Frey predicted that by 2023 alone, 4.27 billion euros would be devoured by building measures for schools and childcare facilities. That corresponds to 43 percent of the total investment volume. 1.37 billion euros flow into residential construction , 608 million euros into public transport, 599 million euros into road and bridge construction. 306 million euros are spent on cultural institutions, 134 million euros on climate protection programs. Another billion euros will be spent on other construction measures such as fire stations. And now Corona is added . The pandemic is estimated to cost the city around 700 million euros. That is more money than is planned for the renovation of the Gasteig . Therefore, there is now criticism of the coalition agreement of the new Greens city government and the SPD. Because it is completely unclear how the new tram lines, the expansion of the cycle paths, the construction of new sports facilities and the renovation of cultural facilities can be financed at all.

CSU Group leader Pretzl: "I think that's more than short-sighted"

CSU parliamentary group leader Manuel Pretzl scolded during the month: “This is a contract that bundles the dream projects of both parties in melodious words . What has not been done is a reality comparison in times of Corona and the expected empty city coffers. I think that is more than short-sighted. ”Against better knowledge, green-red arouses expectations that could not be met. "The first button on the shirt was buttoned incorrectly with this unworldly consensus paper ."

The FDP and Bavaria Party faction is also concerned about the city's financial situation. Group leader Jörg Hoffmann (FDP) said: "The high tax revenues of the past and the trade, income and sales tax revenues that are still budgeted for in the 2020 budget will by no means be achieved in 2020 due to the corona crisis ."

Michael Kuffer (CSU) wants to fight for the tunnels

© Klaus Haag

The estimated surplus of 223 million euros in the administrative budget would disappear completely if the trade and income tax fell by only six percent. In order to ensure the city's ability to act in the course of the year, action must now be taken quickly , and a budget freeze could also be considered. "How the further economic development with regard to the very cautious measures to normalize life and work will be, can be assessed in the summer / autumn 2020 at the earliest . However, if the city council reacted too late, a huge budget deficit could build up, ”says Hoffmann. At the request of the parliamentary group, the treasurer should now report on the current financial situation in tomorrow's holiday senate.

Further criticism arises from the fact that Grün-Rot wants to bury the tunnel projects in Munich. Ex-City Councilor and Member of the Bundestag Michael Kuffer (CSU) said on Tuesday: "The two-pronged strategy with which the new coalition on the one hand describes a lot of paper with the song of citizen participation and on the other hand is the first thing to turn back decisions made by citizens is in Munich are unsuccessful. ”Kuffer now wants to get the citizens' initiatives on board to fight for the construction of the tunnels.

Greens and SPD have set the course for Munich's future. The coalition agreement provides for a stringent turnaround in traffic and a car-free old town by 2025. In addition, 500 parking spaces are to be eliminated each year. There are also proposals for housing and climate protection.

* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.