FDP reform: District council warns of loss of proximity to the citizens!

FDP reform: District council warns of loss of proximity to the citizens!

In the most recent discussions about the FDP's reform plans for the country's administration, proximity to the citizens is seen as a central concern. The district council has sharply criticized these plans and warns of the possible consequences: the dissolution of the 44 city and district districts could not only jeopardize efficiency, but also the relationship between the administration and the citizens. This is what General Manager Alexis von Komorowski said, emphasizing that a close connection between citizens and administration is essential, especially in times when democracy is under pressure. A report from pz-news.de emphasizes that the FDP's plans to abolish all regional associations and regional councils and to merge all 44 existing rural and urban districts into 13 larger administrative units are extremely controversial.

The idea of ​​introducing these large or regional districts was presented under the pretext of pooling resources and reducing duplicate structures. But Komorowski pointed out that the political costs of such a reform would likely be higher than the hoped-for fiscal benefits. Studies also show that districts with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not bring any efficiency gains, which raises the question of whether this reform is really in the interests of the citizens.

Importance of crisis management

Another serious point Komorowski raises is the role of counties in crisis situations. Whether in the refugee crisis in 2015 or in the Corona pandemic - the quick decisions on site were often crucial for the well-being of citizens. In the anonymity of a large circle, he warns, valuable personal relationships and networks that are necessary for effective crisis management could be lost.

The question of administrative reform also has a broader context. This should not only be viewed from a purely fiscal perspective, but should also be consistent with a criticism of tasks and standards. The district council is calling for a differentiated approach that focuses on the special features of the individual regions. It is essential to remain close to the citizens in order to maintain trust in the administration and strengthen democracy.

The upcoming reform discussions show that attention should not only be paid to the numbers, but also that the well-being of citizens and the efficiency of public administration must be in a reasonable balance in order to ensure a realistic and sustainable administration.