© dpa
The billion-euro savings programme in Berlin has finally been decided.
To this end, the House of Representatives passed a supplementary budget for 2025 with the votes of the black-red coalition, which provides for cuts totalling three billion euros compared to the previous budget plan.
This means that many areas in Berlin will have to tighten their belts in the coming year - affecting culture and universities as well as transport and climate protection. Higher revenues are also planned: Among other things, more money will be channelled into the budget by increasing the entertainment tax, the tax on second homes and the tax on overnight stays.
The annual budget volume in Berlin has risen sharply in recent years to around 40 billion euros. By comparison, in 2016 it was still around 26 billion euros. This trend needs to be corrected, said Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) in a government statement in the House of Representatives. The budget must also be put in order out of responsibility for future generations, he said.