- Schneider wants to save justice while saving money
Schleswig-Holstein's new Minister of Finance, Silke Schneider, sees the budget negotiations of the black-green coalition already on a good path towards the planned budget retreat in September. "I can't reveal details yet. The cabinet in Schleswig-Holstein holds its meetings behind closed doors, and that's how it should stay," said the Green politician to the German Press Agency. Her goal is to find good solutions. "In the end, it's a joint effort. I will, however, name the topics and even the painful points transparently and clearly."
The black-green coalition plans a multi-year austerity course. In the coming years, there is a billion-dollar gap in the budget. "We will save 200 million euros next year," said Schneider. "What the people of Schleswig-Holstein can and should expect, I cannot and do not want to say specifically today." Regarding the possibilities of consolidating the budget by cutting funding measures, she said, "Even the funding that we may have to stretch or cut is only a drop in the bucket given the high consolidation needs. We face much bigger tasks." Recently, the opposition has heavily criticized a possible reduction in urban development.
Caution in cuts in certain areas
However, Schneider names areas in which the black-green state government wants to exercise caution in the austerity course. "We need a functional rule of law, and we must do everything as a state to ensure that the work in the police and justice can be done, and that people can live in freedom and security," she said. The coalition must also be careful with cuts in the education sector, climate protection, and infrastructure projects. "Everything we don't invest in necessary investments today will come back to haunt us in the future."
A simple return to staff cuts, as a previous government initiated, cannot happen, Schneider believes. "Staff is not a luxury." As a lawyer, she has experienced firsthand how the administration collapsed and how difficult it was to rebuild administrative structures.
Debate over the UKSH
A good solution is also necessary for the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH). The state auditor demanded that the state government relieve the clinic of all investment costs. According to current calculations, the renovation, operation, and maintenance of the hospital will cost at least 3.7 billion euros by 2044. When the contract was signed in 2014 with a private investor, 1.7 billion euros were mentioned.
"Firstly, it's true that the UKSH pays higher interest rates," said Schneider. However, significant funds are already flowing into the clinic through the future pact. "If we were to take over the debts in question now, nothing would be saved." Because if the state took over the debt, the creditors would not voluntarily waive interest. "Moreover, as a public institution, the UKSH cannot go into debt. It cannot go bankrupt."
The financial sector will undoubtedly be impacted by the black-green coalition's multi-year austerity course. Silke Schneider, the Minister of Finance, emphasized the need to exercise caution in certain areas, including the justice system and education sector, to ensure long-term benefits for Schleswig-Holstein.
