Bremen in saving mode: political decisions for 2026 and 2027 are pending!

Bremen plans 2026/27 austerity measures due to tense budgetary situation. Investments in education and infrastructure remain priority.
Bremen plans 2026/27 austerity measures due to tense budgetary situation. Investments in education and infrastructure remain priority. (Symbolbild/MB)

Bremen in saving mode: political decisions for 2026 and 2027 are pending!

The red-green-red coalition in Bremen is facing a huge change, because a strict austerity course is announced for the years 2026 and 2027. The tense budget Situation of the city state is cited as the reason for the sharp cuts. The finance senator Björn Fecker (Greens) is certain that there will be numerous discussions about the planned measures in the coming months. According to t-online.de especially children and adolescents concern. This is how the free ticket for folk festivals is abolished, which is likely to meet with many parents.

Another shadow child of the savings plan is the renovation of the cathedral courtyard, which is postponed indefinitely. The merging of companies is also in the room. In order to increase the financial resources somewhat, the amusement tax for slot machines is increased to 25 percent. Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) blames the economic situation, the increasing social spending and international uncertainties for these drastic measures.

economic framework and planned investments

Despite the austerity measures, Bremen plans to invest 100 million euros in central port projects, including the urgent renovation of the Strom Queen. Hafen Senator Kristina Vogt (left) emphasizes the time pressure under which these projects are. This is reinforced by the increasingly worrying financial situation of the city. In the coalition committee, Finance Senator Fecker informed that Bremen's financial scope for action will be zero in the next two years. Another indication of the precarious situation is that Bremen cannot take on emergency-related loans, since the debt brake does not allow this, so weser-kurier.de .

The economic framework is anything but rosy. Expenditures are continuously increasing, while the income could stagnate or even decrease, especially due to impending new federal laws that could equalize the now slightly increased tax revenue. The May tax assessment could be negative due to the economic doldrums, warns Buten and Innen on the current situation. Personnel expenses already account for around 40 percent of the total budget, and the costs increase rapidly, especially in the social and education sector.

how is it going?

The MPs prepare for a tight schedule: at the end of March or early April, the cornerstones of the Senate are to be decided, followed by a final draft budget after the summer vacation. Parliamentary advice is expected to take place in September before the decision is due in November. An educational budget is planned that is to be increased by 20 million euros annually. This comes at the right time, as new iPads are sought for the pupils and the construction of 4,000 apartments to relax the situation.

we can only hope that despite the difficult situation, the coalition will show a good hand and set the right priorities to advance both the citizens and the development of Bremen.

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OrtBremen, Deutschland
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