Press release Strong municipalities are not a luxury but the foundation of a functioning society”: Saarlouis district participates in the “Municipalities at the Limit” day of action On the upcoming Monday, June 22, 2026, districts, cities, and municipalities across Germany will send a united signal. Under the motto “Municipalities at the Limit,” a day of action by the three leading municipal associations (German Association of Cities, German County Association, and German Association of Towns and Municipalities) will take place to highlight the dramatic financial situation of municipalities. The budgets of municipalities are sinking deeper into the red. They are at their limit—or even beyond. It is, so to speak, “two minutes to twelve.” Last year alone, municipalities, which shape the quality of life locally, in Germany had to cope with a financing deficit of more than 30 billion euros. Therefore, they are urging the federal government to take action. The Saarlouis district is also taking part in this day of action. From 9 to 10 a.m., there will be an official informational event for the employees of the district administration at the Kleiner Markt in Saarlouis. Citizens are cordially invited to participate in the event. Due to the day of action, the offices of the district administration will be closed until 11 a.m. on this day. According to the set opening hours, the offices will reopen to the public from 11 a.m. Various facilities of the district, such as the vehicle registration office, job centers, the tourist information, as well as schools and their sports halls, are drawing attention to this important issue in advance with a striking campaign. Yellow-black barrier tape symbolically “blocks” parts of entrances, and posters focus attention on the situation that districts, cities, and municipalities are in a historic financial crisis they did not cause themselves: Statutory mandatory tasks are increasing, but the federal or state governments provide no sufficient means for them. And this crisis affects all citizens. Because locally, it becomes directly palpable and visible what is at stake when responsibilities grow but the necessary funding fails to materialize. Then everyday services are lacking. The consequences, for example: fewer buses, closed swimming pools, fewer youth programs, unrenovated classrooms, longer waiting times, poorly maintained parks, broken streets, less culture, and less support locally. “We, as an administration, face the daily challenge of how we can conscientiously fulfill our statutory duties without the necessary financial resources being provided by the federal and state governments at the same time. Our municipalities, cities, and districts keep public life running. Our municipalities are the state on site! And strong municipalities are not a luxury but the foundation of a functioning society. Anyone who lets the municipalities bleed and thereby weakens people's trust in the functioning of local structures is wielding an axe to our democracy,” said Saarlouis district administrator Patrik Lauer, who was recently elected vice president of the German County Association. Municipalities account for more than a quarter of government spending but receive only a seventh of government revenues—a situation that cannot last in the long term. Therefore, the municipalities and their three leading municipal associations demand structural reforms. Above all, municipalities must be relieved of the constantly rising social expenditures. And from now on, the demand goes: “Who orders must also pay.” That means all tasks assigned by the federal and state governments to the municipalities must be adequately funded. The federal and state governments must act now so that the state locally remains capable of acting for its citizens. Anyone who wants to defend democracy must strengthen municipal self-administration. Press contact: Press office Kaiser-Wilhelm-Straße 4-6 · 66740 Saarlouis Tel.: 06831 444-19100 www.kreis-saarlouis.de · presse@kreis-saarlouis.de
Municipalities at the limit: Saarlouis district demands better funding
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