Heidenheim's Mayor Salomo is demanding 100 billion for municipalities!

Heidenheim's Mayor Salomo is demanding 100 billion for municipalities!

At a time when the financial situation of municipalities is becoming dramatically worse, Michael Salomo, the mayor of Heidenheim in Baden-Württemberg, is raising his voice. On August 15, 2025, in a conversation with Deutschlandfunk, Salomo called for a comprehensive “stress test” on the financial situation of the federal, state and local governments. For him, it is essential to take the concerns of cities and communities seriously and to specifically address investment needs.

The challenges facing municipalities are diverse. Salomo emphasizes that it is becoming increasingly unattractive to get involved in city or local councils. One reason for this could be the significant loss of 24.8 billion euros, which, according to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, burdened cities and municipalities in Germany in 2024. Rising social spending, tariff increases and higher energy prices contribute to this worrying development.

Important demands

One of his central demands concerns the unconditional distribution of the special fund worth 100 billion euros to the municipalities. Solomon emphasizes that these funds are necessary to make a wide variety of investments, be it in youth clubs, outdoor pools or other important infrastructure projects. The needs are quite different and vary depending on the community. This shows that financial support not only provides general relief, but also flows directly into the quality of life of citizens.

The 36-year-old Salomo, who is also the co-initiator of a non-partisan network of young mayors, does not just want to use his demands to raise awareness of the financial challenges. He also wants to send a signal that cities and their needs can no longer be neglected. In this context, it is particularly important that the importance of a city as a large settlement is acknowledged. The term “city”, derived from the Middle High German “stat”, represents not only a geographical area, but also a center of life and administration for many people. Wiktionary provides interesting insights into the origin and meaning of the term.

An overview of the situation

The discussion about the financial resources of municipalities is not new, but it is becoming increasingly important in view of the current crisis situation. Millions of people rely on the services provided by cities and towns. The applications and requests for financial support are becoming louder and louder, and it is to be hoped that decision-makers at the federal and state levels will listen. It remains to be seen whether the processes aimed at easing the financial burden on municipalities will actually be backed up with action.

The time is ripe for change, because the financial stability of cities leaves little room for creative options. Solomon and his colleagues have demonstrated a keen sensitivity to the needs of their communities, and this is a step in the right direction. Deutschlandfunk continues to report on developments in this critical area.