Baden-Württemberg proposes 72 billion euro budget for 2027

Baden-Württemberg Finance Minister Danyal Bayaz has introduced the 2027 state budget, totaling 72 billion euros, to the state parliament. The budget includes over one billion euros in additional funding for municipalities to support their operational capacity amid weak economic conditions and declining business tax revenues.

Key spending priorities include the creation of 650 new police positions and 3,400 new roles in the education sector. Conversely, the plan involves cutting 550 administrative positions within state ministries over the next five years.

The budget has faced criticism from the Taxpayers' Association (Bund der Steuerzahler), which argues that the plan is not sustainable. The association highlighted concerns regarding the planned use of 3.6 billion euros in previous surpluses to cover budget gaps, rising new debt, and reductions in pension provisions. Additionally, while the state aims to support municipalities, local representatives from the Association of Cities (Städtetag) noted that many local governments face significant deficits and require more substantial assistance.