Bremen plans drastic incisions: Saving until 2027!

Bremen plans drastic incisions: Saving until 2027!

In Bremen, the red-green-red coalition is preparing for a comprehensive austerity course that will affect 2026 and 2027. The reason for this measure is the tense budget situation of the city state. Financial Senator Björn Fecker (Greens) expects far -reaching discussions about the upcoming decisions. Children and adolescents in particular will suffer from the austerity measures because the free ticket for folk festivals is to be abolished. The planned renovation of the cathedral courtyard is also postponed for an indefinite period, and different societies are to be merged according to the plan. Furthermore, the amusement tax for slot machines is increased to 25 percent. Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) describes the economic situation as difficult, not least because of increasing social spending and international uncertainties.

Despite the hard austerity course, the coalition also relies on investments. A total of 100 million euros are provided for central port projects, including for the renovation of the Stromkaje. Hafen Senator Kristina Vogt (left) emphasizes the time pressure under which these projects have to be realized. The government is also planning initiatives to combat unemployment and the expansion of local transport. Two new medical care centers are to be set up, while the educational budget is to be increased by 20 million euros annually. Among other things, the purchase of new iPads for students and the construction of 4,000 apartments are planned. The support for excellence universities also remains.

Need for budget discipline

The austerity course takes place in the context of sunken tax revenues, which have already led to savings of 254 million euros by 2027. Bremen plans not to record emergency loans anymore, and compliance with a strict budget discipline has been declared a top motto. "SPAR households are the new for the time being," said Finanz Senator Fecker's urgent appeal. At the end of 2024, 100 million euros less savings were planned. In addition, the citizens must agree to the double budget in March 2026 after the Senate will formally decide on Tuesday.

The concrete changes include measures to increase the income and cost. These include increasing real estate tax, the introduction of a city tax for tourists as well as increases in administrative and parking fees. Daycare and school afternoon offers are also more expensive, while the costs for the use of public transport must be adapted. More intensive traffic monitoring should also contribute to increasing the fees.

effects on the social affairs

The planned savings also affect the social area directly. For example, young refugees should no longer be able to stay in youth welfare when reaching the age of majority. The exact details of the changes in health and social affairs are currently still unclear, but the next renovation report depends on the stability council for the beginning of October.

Overall, the economic situation in Bremen is perceived as tense. With a debt load of almost 24 billion euros, Bremen has the highest per capita debt among the federal states. The financial contaminated sites, which result in particular from the shipyard crisis, continue to press the budget situation. It remains to be seen how the population will react to these far -reaching savings, while the political debate about the sustainable future and the quality of life in Bremen is coming up.