Saarland in the Bundestag: Hoffmann and Dillschneider take stock

Saarland in the Bundestag: Hoffmann and Dillschneider take stock

The political landscape in Saarland is changing. Philip Hoffmann from the CDU and Jeanne Dillschneider from the Greens have reflected on their first months since taking office in the Bundestag in March 2023. saarbruecker-zeitung.de reports that both MPs were elected in the early federal election in February. Dillschneider secured his place on the state list, while Hoffmann entered parliament as a direct candidate for the Saarlouis district. Their initial experiences show that the pitfalls of the Bundestag, particularly the convoluted tunnel system, represent a real challenge.

Dillschneider, who has now set up her office in the Jakob-Kaiser-Haus, initially struggled with orientation. But she has settled in well and continues to see herself as an important bridge between Saarland and Berlin. “I would like to act as an advocate for Saarland,” she emphasizes, referring to the questions she has already asked the federal government about flood prevention. In addition to her work in the Bundestag, she remains co-state leader of the Green Party in Saarland.

Active political work in Saarland

Hoffmann has also settled in well in the Bundestag. His response to the new challenge is remarkable, as he continues to serve as a city councilor in Merzig and takes on the role of deputy district chairman of the CDU Merzig-Wadern. The MP works on the finance committee and can already claim some successes, including an investment boost and a reduction in corporate taxes. However, both Hoffmann and Dillschneider find the high workload fulfilling.

Another important aspect of her work is improving transport connections between Saarbrücken and Berlin, a topic that is particularly close to Dillschneider's heart. But they are not only active in the Bundestag. Cross-border cooperation is one of the central topics in discussions about the region, especially in times of growing commuter numbers and tight transport connections.

Strengthen cross-border cooperation

tagesschau.de Commuters could register their vehicles as commuter vehicles to speed up the passage.

Anja Wagner-Scheid, deputy CDU parliamentary group leader, has already announced that she will be in contact with the Federal Ministry of the Interior about the feasibility of this measure. The demand for increased controls in the hinterland during rush hour is also being discussed in order to intensify cooperation between German and French border guards. This should also result in a joint German-French resolution, which will be launched in the near future.

The Committee on Cross-Border Cooperation

The Committee for Cross-Border Cooperation (AGZ) was created as part of the Aachen Treaty in 2019. It has proven during the recent health crisis how important it is for the exchange of information and coordination between countries. As fred.info shows, the AGZ aims to bring local, regional and national decision-makers together to develop solutions together.

The challenges faced by commuters and border regions are complex, and the AGZ strives to make these visible. The committee sees cross-border cooperation as an important step towards improving the living conditions for people at the border and strengthening the political ties between Germany and France.

Overall, Saarland is facing exciting political developments. Hoffmann and Dillschneider show that they are ready to take new paths and stand up for the interests of their region. We will be curious to see how their political approaches will develop in the coming months.