The Federation of German cities and municipalities welcomes the civil defense expansion plans put forward by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), though it simultaneously criticizes them for being insufficient.
André Berghegger, the Chief Executive Officer, told the publication that while the announced investments in protective shelters are a welcome first step, they fall far short of what is required. He stressed that the civil defense needs permanent and adequate funding across all governmental levels, specifically including funds for ongoing operational costs.
Berghegger further pointed out that the special fund designated for states and local authorities is already oversubscribed, given the current severe financial situation of many municipalities and the sheer volume of required investment. He noted that local governments are already investing heavily in infrastructure-including roads, bridges, energy supplies, digital networks, warning systems, and general crisis infrastructure-elements that are indispensable not only for Germany’s defense capabilities but also for NATO.
He emphasized that local communities should also benefit from the use of the special defense fund. To this end, Berghegger urged the federal government to utilize the new financial flexibility provided by the constitutional amendment, which exempts the defense sector from the debt brake. This revenue, he argued, should be used to co-finance critical “dual-use” infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, directly with the municipalities. Ultimately, he concluded that if the federal government expects local communities to assume greater responsibility in population protection, it must also provide the necessary long-term financial resources.
