He highlighted an investment backlog exceeding €215 billion, emphasizing the urgent need for federal funds to be disbursed quickly and with minimal administrative hurdles While welcoming the coalition’s focus on economic stability and job security, Berghegger warned of a potential significant decrease in municipal investment – from approximately €45 billion annually to around €30 billion – due to widespread financial constraints
The Association argues this reduction would severely hinder cities’ and towns’ ability to address future challenges, particularly those related to climate change and necessary infrastructure upgrades Berghegger strongly advocated for maximizing the flow of federal investment to local authorities, stressing the importance of streamlined funding processes He suggested providing municipalities with lump-sum financial allocations, allowing them to leverage local expertise for rapid and needs-based procurement decisions and project implementation
