Green parliamentary group leader Ludwig Hartmann has called on the state government to try to find a negotiated solution instead of the announced lawsuit against the state financial equalization. Hartmann emphasized on Monday that he considers a reform of fiscal equalization to be necessary. “The fact that Bavaria recently paid twice as much as the second largest donor country shows the need for adjustment,” he told the German Press Agency in Munich.
However, he criticizes: “For the government to do politics with lawsuits is a signal of lack of ideas. And it prevents constructive solutions.” Perhaps the CSU is not interested in that at all. “The Söder government would be well advised to climb down from the tree of outrage and sit down at the negotiating table in a solution-oriented and objective manner,” demanded the Greens politician. “That would not only be sensible government action, you can expect that from adults quite simply.” Hesse and Baden-Württemberg, as major donor countries, are also interested in reform, but both are striving for a negotiated solution.
The state government probably wants to launch the constitutional complaint against the equalization system, which has been announced several times for a long time, this Tuesday. Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) has announced a government statement in the state parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
Hartmann accuses the CSU of “campaign noise”. A fundamental doubt about the equalization of financial power is populist show politics. “Equal living conditions are enshrined in the Basic Law. The equalization of financial power is a clever instrument. As Bavarians, we only harm ourselves if there are the most powerful regions in one part of Germany, but the lights go out in another.” That applies politically, economically and socially, stressed Hartmann. “In Bavaria we are also trying to create a balance between the boom regions in southern Bavaria and the less economically strong regions in the east and north – with relocations of authorities, funding programs etc. The Augsburger could also say: why should we take care of the Hofer? “
So there is only Bavarian solidarity, but no German? “I think we’ll leave this old way of thinking where it belongs – in the 19th century, with all its small states,” said Hartmann.