Achim Brötel, president of the German District Council and district administrator of the Neckar‑Odenwald District, voiced strong support for the Social State Commission’s reform recommendations while simultaneously urging municipalities to assume fewer social‑sector obligations. He told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”‘s midday edition that districts are ready to implement the recommendations vigorously, yet he added that this does not resolve the “dramatic” municipal financial crisis.
Brötel argued that additional reforms are essential, especially in the areas that currently generate the highest costs. He specifically cited integration assistance for people with disabilities, children’s and youth services, and care assistance as priority focus points.
Despite his call for lighter municipal duties, Brötel praised the Commission’s proposal to consolidate social benefits. “A unified benefits system with fewer responsibilities and interfaces creates value for everyone” he said. “It makes it easier for people to access support and simultaneously eases the burden on administration”. He highlighted that merging housing benefit, child allowance, citizen’s income (Bürgergeld) and social assistance would bring clearer oversight and prevent gaps in benefit entitlements.
According to the District Council’s figures, municipal spending on integration assistance in 2024 rose by 13.6 percent, while spending on children’s and youth services increased by 17.1 percent. This surge in social expenditures added to the growing fiscal deficit of municipalities, which is widely estimated to have reached around €30 billion in the previous year.
