Amid declining public confidence in the federal government, the German Federation of Cities and Municipalities is calling for the CDU/SPD coalition to exhibit greater pragmatism and improve its communication.
Speaking to the Funke Media Group’s newspapers, André Berghegger, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, noted that citizens expected the nation to be capable of action and to improve, and they were willing to accept temporary strain and restrictions. He emphasized that “a significantly better and clearer communication of federal politics is urgently needed”.
Berghegger pressed the federal government to abandon what he termed “political bickering” and focus instead on the core issues that concern the population, working from the center of democracy. According to him, further arguments over trivial details fail to address current challenges and are strengthening undemocratic forces in the country.
He highlighted that state finance consolidation must be a priority for the federal government to enable future investments. Berghegger argued that sticking to established positions will not advance the country, and stressed that all democratic parties must commit to this goal and be willing to postpone previous demands. He warned that the public has lost patience for arguments, as this consequently diminishes the chances of positive national change. However, he added that the lack of political maneuverability threatens the democratic foundation of the country.
Furthermore, Berghegger pointed to the mandatory and timely implementation of all promises made within the coalition agreement before the summer recess. Specifically, he cited the coalition’s commitments regarding the long-term viability of social security systems and the relief for municipalities based on the “who orders, pays” principle. He added that when local communities lack the financial means, infrastructure falls into disrepair, and management options disappear, it damages faith in the state’s overall problem-solving capacity.
Finally, he insisted that politics must concentrate on security, both domestically and internationally. According to Berghegger, without strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and effectively combating crime, all efforts toward Germany’s stability will fail. As a crowning priority for government action, the rebuilding of public trust in the state and democracy must be paramount. He suggested the federal government should model itself after local municipal politics, where the focus is less on internal political disagreements among democratic parties and more on solution-oriented action for the common good. Berghegger concluded by stating that citizens appreciate this local commitment to co-existence.
