Following the collapse of the previous SPD coalition with BSW, the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats from the CDU are negotiating a new government agreement in Brandenburg. The talks have been dominated by the difficult financial situation of the state, forcing the introduction of a drastic savings plan. Premier Dietmar Woidke announced spending reductions that will affect not only infrastructure projects but also state administration and state personnel, aiming to stabilize the region's deficit-ridden budget.

Drastic Budget Cuts

The future SPD-CDU coalition plans significant savings to plug a billion-euro hole in the state's budget over the next two years.

Reduction of Employment in Administration

Premier Dietmar Woidke announced that savings will directly affect state personnel and bureaucratic structures.

End of Coalition with BSW

Negotiations with the CDU began after the collapse of talks between the Social Democrats and Sahra Wagenknecht's party.

Brandenburg is facing an unprecedented financial crisis, forcing future coalition partners to make painful budgetary decisions. Negotiations between the SPD and CDU, aimed at forming a new cabinet, are taking place under the shadow of a projected deficit. According to the latest calculations, the budget shortfall in this eastern German state could reach nearly one billion euros over the next two years. This situation is the result of years of living beyond its means, manifested in expenditures that were too high relative to generated tax revenues. Germany's federal system imposes a so-called debt brake (Schuldenbremse) on the federal states, introduced into the constitution in 2009, which drastically limits the ability of the states to take on new loans. Premier Dietmar Woidke (SPD) publicly admitted that savings are indispensable and will directly affect the state's administrative structures. The planned alliance of Social Democrats and Christian Democrats intends to introduce so-called personnel cuts, which in practice means a freeze on new positions in the public sector and a reduction in current expenditures. Woidke emphasizes that security and stability for residents remain the priority, but achieving these goals with such low state treasury revenues requires setting new, strict investment priorities. „That we are considering savings in the personnel area as well is no secret. It is a necessity arising from the current financial situation.” — Dietmar Woidke Critics point out that the region's previous economic model has been exhausted, and the accumulating debt threatens future investments in infrastructure and education. Although both parties agree on the need to tighten the belt, the devil is in the details of "cutting with a red pencil." Coalition negotiations in Potsdam are to work out a compromise that will allow for the passage of a budget for 2026 without breaching the statutory debt limit. 1 mld € — is the estimated budget shortfall of Brandenburg

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Mentioned People

  • Dietmar Woidke — Premier of Brandenburg for the SPD, leading coalition negotiations and announcing cuts.