Söder calls for more opportunities for Bavaria: New era of cooperation!

Söder calls for more opportunities for Bavaria: New era of cooperation!

The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) expressed optimism about the future of Bavaria under the new federal government in Berlin. In a press conference at Tegernsee, in the presence of the new Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), he emphasized the importance of careful handling of finances and called the new federal government a potential economic boost for the Free State. Söder criticized the previous policies of Robert Habeck (Greens) and spoke of Bavaria being disadvantaged.

Söder announced that funds saved from family money should be invested in the construction of daycare centers. He also plans to lift the freeze on housing subsidies in Bavaria with up to 400 million euros. “There should be no cuts in the research sector and the municipalities should not be burdened,” he explained. The tax estimate in the fall will show whether Bavaria can cover the additional expenses on its own.

New infrastructure investments and debt brake

An important issue here is the financial support that Bavaria receives from a nationwide infrastructure project. Loud Mercury 1.3 billion euros flow into the Free State every year. Söder also sees the possibility of using additional leeway of around two billion euros by easing the debt brake, which worries him about debt policy in Europe.

Katherina Reiche announced that two thirds of the newly planned gas power plant capacities, totaling 20 gigawatts, are to be built in southern Germany. Söder praised Bavaria as an economic heavyweight and explained that the south was now receiving more attention. The Green Party leader Katharina Schulze viewed the plans as a “declaration of bankruptcy for long-term affordable electricity prices”.

Social and educational measures

The state government is planning additional spending on childcare, housing and the digitalization of schools. Söder announced that students will initially receive computers starting in eighth grade; Previously, the focus was on reading, writing and arithmetic. The goal is to increase the number of “team workers” in daycare centers to 15,000 by 2029. In addition, a one-off family allowance of 3,000 euros is to be introduced from 2026, even if Söder is attracting criticism because he cut crèche and family allowances last year.

In the area of ​​migration, Söder is planning savings by introducing a payment card for asylum seekers. Last year saw the highest number of voluntary departures in ten years. The goal is to gradually reduce the number of accommodations for asylum seekers.

Overall, Markus Söder sees the developments as the beginning of a “new era of cooperation between Bavaria and Berlin” and emphasizes the importance of the Bavarian voice in federal politics. Reiche plans to implement measures to reduce electricity prices before the summer break, including reducing electricity taxes and reducing network fees in order to stabilize energy prices for citizens.