Thuringia's municipalities in transition: mergers and millions for the future!

Thuringia's municipalities in transition: mergers and millions for the future!

In the coming year, significant changes will be in Thuringia when it comes to the municipal administrations. Seven municipalities in the districts of Altenburger and Weimarer Land are planning new structures that include integration into the city of Schmölln and the Mellingen administrative community. The Thuringian State Secretary Andreas Bausewein explains more details on these projects, who has already presented the corresponding law to the state parliament in Erfurt. According to Borkener Zeitung , the number of Thuringian municipalities will further reduce it in previous years fell from 843 to 600.

It is clear that the reorganization of the municipalities is associated with a financial expenditure of almost three million euros. Of this, around EUR 2.7 million will be paid to the so -called reorganization premium of 200 euros per inhabitant. The remaining 300,000 euros are intended for structure aid and the decision -making of the communities. But the financing structures are also on the test: Interior Minister Georg Maier has indicated that the previous wedding premium for mergers - a flat rate for the promotion of more powerful local structures - could be revised. In the future, more needs -based funding should focus on the investment ability of the municipalities. This information comes from a report by N-tv .

The effects of the area reform

The reform has been based on developments since 2018 when the topic of voluntary mergers at the community level in Thuringia gained importance. Originally initiated by the red-red-green state government under Bodo Ramelow, the reform should counteract demographic change in particular. Since then there have been only voluntary mergers, such as the integration of the city of Eisenach to the Wartburg district in 2021, which are considered a special example. This procedure, accompanied by violent criticism, aims to reduce the administrative costs and maintain a citizen -related structure. But the skepticism remains: Critics often criticize that larger structures will risk the proximity to the citizen, which also in the Wikipedia -COMMUNATION is.

The next steps are already on the agenda. Further mergers are planned for 2026, and the Thuringian state government sees great potential for cooperation- not only in the administration, but also for joint projects, for example in the education or leisure sector. It remains to be hoped that the challenges that are associated with the reorganization are adequately taken into account by everyone involved and that the citizens will remain involved in the decision -making process.

It remains to be seen whether the desired reform brings the desired success in improving municipal structures, because developments in recent years have shown that it is not always easy to reconcile all opinions and interests. The step towards more powerful municipalities therefore not only needs financial support, but also a good sense of the people's concerns.