Federal Government: Civil servants’ union wants immediate programme: “Stabilise Germany”

The civil servants’ union dbb has called on the federal government to launch projects to stabilize the country in a cabinet meeting. “The traffic light coalition must now shake itself up,” dbb head Ulrich Silberbach told the dpa in Berlin. “I suggest that the traffic light coalition call a Meseberg meeting during the summer break at the latest, define priorities and then launch an emergency measures program,” said Silberbach.

“We still have a net year before the federal election to make political decisions, then the election campaign will begin,” he said. The federal election will normally take place in autumn 2025. The traffic light parties should not look to others for blame after their predominantly poor results in the European elections. The SPD, Greens and FDP must take their task seriously despite adverse circumstances.

“Chancellor not responsible”

The aim must be to “stabilize Germany in economic and socio-political issues,” said Silberbach. The most important issues are migration, climate change, education and internal security. The tasks at hand must be divided between the federal government, states and municipalities and the responsible level must then be provided with the necessary financial resources. “That would not be rocket science,” said the dbb boss. “It could be done in the one year that is still left.”

The dbb’s most recent citizen surveys showed “that citizens are losing all trust in the state’s performance,” said Silberbach. According to the Forsa survey, only 27 percent of citizens said the state could fulfill its duties.

“If the Chancellor were to initiate new elections now on the basis of a vote of confidence, the traffic light coalition would no longer have a majority,” said the trade unionist. “Then it might end up being a black-green coalition, and all the SPD’s dreams would burst like soap bubbles.” Silberbach: “The fact that the Chancellor does not want that is perhaps responsible towards his party, but not towards the country. (Emmanuel) Macron is more consistent in this regard.” The directly elected French President dissolved parliament after the European elections and called new elections.

“Laws remain pending”

Silberbach’s findings on the achievements of the traffic light coalition are largely negative: “Laws remain pending, court decisions are not implemented.” Silberbach mentioned administrative modernization, digitalization and federalism. “Many of the unresolved issues from the coalition agreement directly affect citizens and the public service.”

A dbb paper, which is available to the dpa, shows unfinished announcements by the traffic light coalition: for example, better equipment for the federal police or the possibility of flexible working time models, relief for municipalities from old debts or more recognition of practical experience for entry into administration. The promised digital access for unions in companies has also not yet been implemented.

Also on the government’s to-do list: implementing the rulings of the highest courts. Above all, the federal government has been ignoring Karlsruhe’s guidelines on appropriate remuneration for civil servants for years, criticized the dbb boss. The more precise recording of working hours by law, called for by the European Court of Justice and the Federal Labor Court, is also still pending.

Above all, Silberbach warned: “It was promised that the tangle of tasks between the federal government, states and municipalities would be sorted out.” Many municipalities no longer know how to fulfill their tasks. The reason: the states often want the federal government to pay. But the federal government is only willing to do this if the states contribute a part, said Silberbach.

“People don’t like unresolved questions at all”

He used the example of refugees. “I am glad that the majority of the population still says: ‘People in need must be helped.'” But abuse must be eliminated. The federal and state governments must equip the municipalities so that they can really do this. Without such steps, xenophobia threatens to spread further. “Unresolved questions – that is what people don’t like at all,” said Silberbach.

“When it comes to climate adaptation and migration, the burden on municipalities needs to be significantly reduced,” said Silberbach. They are putting off infrastructure tasks worth almost 150 billion euros. In view of the traffic light dispute over the 2025 budget, Silberbach expressed understanding for Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP): “We do not need constant demands for new special funds, but a government that now defines and addresses its core tasks – and drops what it has lost its way.” For Silberbach, this is primarily “the bureaucratic basic child benefit.”