Discussions continue regarding a longstanding disparity in school holiday schedules across German states, with Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder firmly defending the current arrangement. The established rule dictates that Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg traditionally begin their summer holidays later than other states, typically in early August, a pattern he insists is integral to the region’s rhythm.
Minister-President Söder, in remarks published Thursday, rejected calls from other states advocating for Bavaria to adopt earlier holiday start dates. He emphasized that the timing of Bavarian school breaks is a matter for the state to decide, particularly given Bavaria’s significant contributions to the national financial equalization scheme, which supports less affluent states.
“We determine when our holidays are” Söder stated. “We contribute significantly to the financial equalization – and now some want to dictate when we should have our holidays? There’s a limit to what’s acceptable”. He concluded by reaffirming Bavaria’s commitment to maintaining the current schedule, extending well wishes for everyone’s holidays while upholding the established regulations. The debate highlights ongoing tensions regarding regional autonomy and financial responsibilities within the German federal system.
