Union threatens Berlin with financial consequences for left-wing government

The federal states governed by the Union have threatened Berlin with financial consequences if a government is successfully formed under the leadership of the Left. This was announced by the parliamentary group leaders from the CDU/CSU-governed federal states. "If Berlin gets a state government that has anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews in its program, we will start a joint initiative, including on the question of who finances the capital," said CSU state parliamentary group leader Klaus Holetschek.

This involves money from the state financial equalization system. Berlin is one of ten so-called recipient countries that receive financial aid to guarantee almost equal living conditions. However, Berlin is the only federal state that is threatened by the Union after the majority of voters voted for the Left in the House of Representatives election.

The Union also threatened that the newly negotiated capital financing agreement would have to be discussed again if the election winner governed in Berlin. This offsets additional expenditure by the state of Berlin by the federal government in the areas of internal security and capital culture.

“People expect concrete solutions”

Holetschek said that in times of federal political challenges, more cooperation between the states is needed. “People expect concrete solutions, for example when it comes to health, care and energy costs.” This requires better cooperation between countries and parliaments. “We want to be a pacesetter and an anchor of stability.”