Referendum in Baden-Baden: Central hospital in danger?

Referendum in Baden-Baden: Central hospital in danger?

Next Sunday, June 29, 2025, a referendum will take place in Baden-Baden that could significantly influence the future of the planned central clinic. As the Goodnews4 reported, the central question of the decision is whether certain resolutions of the local council of November 25, 2024, which support the construction of a new clinic at the Münchfeldsee site in Rastatt, should be repealed. Approval could have significant consequences for future medical care in the region.

The voting question itself is clearly formulated: Should the city of Baden-Baden withdraw its support for the construction on Lake Münchfeld? If the citizens vote “yes”, this would mean that Baden-Baden is no longer involved in the new building. This could result in a stalemate between the city and the district, as the Rastatt district could continue to hold on to construction, which could lead to a lengthy discussion about future clinic locations. In practice, the plans for the new building could be delayed or even reconsidered, as is the case Baden's latest news explain.

Political statements and support

The political camps in Baden-Baden are clearly positioned: While the majority of the CDU, the Greens and the SPD are in favor of the construction in Rastatt, the citizens' initiative is supported by the FDP, AfD and FBB. The CDU criticized the citizens' initiative and argued that rejection of the planned clinic in Rastatt could endanger medical care in the region. Approval of the referendum would also leave the existing structure of the clinic in place and could have long-term negative effects on the attractiveness of the workplace and the shortage of staff.

Another central point in the thought process is the possibility that approval could also lead to the search for another location for a future clinic project, as the sample versions of the central clinic in Achern show. These uncertainties have reignited the discussion about the importance of a stable supply of medical care in the region.

The grand finale – vote counting on Sunday

The voters in Baden-Baden are therefore challenged. The counting of votes begins after the polling stations close on Sunday at 6 p.m. The city has announced that it will present the results live on its website so that anyone interested can be informed quickly. In addition, the municipal council chamber in the town hall will be open to citizens from 6 p.m. to follow the presentation of the results. This shows how important this referendum is for the entire region, because the election could have far-reaching consequences for medical care and future cooperation between the city and the district.

The **Baden-Baden CDU** warns urgently about the risks that a rejection could entail. This political dispute not only shows the different interests of the political groups, but also the concerns of citizens who are worried about their medical care and the future structure of the clinics in the region.