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Wiesbaden is facing a budget crisis: CDU sounds the alarm!
The CDU Wiesbaden warns of a financial crisis and criticizes the treasurer's draft budget. A solution should be found in the 2026 local elections.
Wiesbaden is facing a budget crisis: CDU sounds the alarm!
The political situation in Wiesbaden is coming to a head: The CDU town hall faction is harshly criticizing the draft budget by treasurer Hendrik Schmehl (SPD). The group describes the document as “not a serious basis for consultation” and accuses the left-wing alliance and Schmehl of not showing any serious consolidation efforts. In a recent press release, the CDU warns of a financial crisis that threatens when reserves are used up and all reserves are exhausted. Any new majority after the 2026 local elections will be forced to deal with this precarious situation like that FAZ reported.
Daniela Georgi (CDU) emphasizes that it is the duty of the current majority to present a budget that can be approved. “We are not only dealing with an income problem, but above all with an expenditure problem,” says Georgi. Despite high income from trade tax and income tax, CDU budget expert Manuel Köhler sees Wiesbaden in a financial crisis. The planned additional expenditure of 171 million euros, which the left-wing alliance has announced for 280 new positions, including 160 in the social affairs department, remains problematic. The financial needs of the social department are now seen as the main cause of the impending crisis.
Criticism of the draft budget
The budget of over 1.8 billion euros has a deficit of nine million euros, which the CDU sees as criticism of Hesse. Schmehl has been accused of being too optimistic in his expectations regarding revenue while remaining cautious about spending. The city's climate plan also remains funded, which further exacerbates the situation. The City Day notes that many municipalities have to finance themselves from their own tax revenues such as property tax and trade tax and often rely on allocations from the federal and state governments in order to meet their obligations.
The CDU plans to develop strategies for budget consultation at a closed meeting without presenting a comprehensive counter-proposal. The aim is to point out deficiencies and errors in the budget and identify potential. The situation is compared to the delay in insolvency if Wiesbaden were to suffer an economic crisis like this FAZ emphasized.
Transport policy in focus
An important point is the restoration of turning options and clear regulations on speed limits in residential areas and on main roads. Construction site management should also be optimized through clear responsibilities and shorter construction times. Also addressed is the improvement of cycling traffic with safe cycle connections and the rejection of a new edition of the Citybahn in favor of modernizing local transport.
The CDU believes in change and sees the need for concrete measures. “Wiesbaden needs to become more proactive when it comes to transport policy,” said CDU district chairman Ingmar Jung. If the planned transport turnaround succeeds, not only the cityscape but also the quality of life of citizens in Wiesbaden could improve significantly. It remains to be seen whether the financial conditions allow this.