Kommunen unter Druck: Wege aus der Finanzund Transformationskrise: Local authorities under pressure: Ways out of the financial and transformation crisis

Local government finances are facing the greatest crisis in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. Record deficits, rising social spending, high investment needs, and new challenges posed by climate change, demographic change and the provision of public services are putting cities and local authorities under immense pressure. The contributions to this Zeitgespräch analyse the causes of the local government financial crisis, examine its consequences for investment, climate protection and social cohesion, and discuss options for reform. The focus is on the question of how local government’s capacity to act, self-governance and investment in the future can be sustainably secured under conditions of scarce resources.