Thuringian Left Insists on Third Free Kindergarten Year for Double Budget
"Complimentary Kindergarten Year as a Condition for Doubled Budget" - Families earning double the usual income could potentially be eligible for free childcare, hence the proposal for a condition to apply this benefit.
In a shocking revelation, the Thuringian Left faction has declared that a third free kindergarten year in the forthcoming Double Budget 2026/2027 is non-negotiable. Ulrike Grosse-Roethig, the education representative from The Left, expressed this stipulation to the German Press Agency, asserting, "We expect the state government to honor its commitments."
Caught in a Political Tangle
Already, the last two years in kindergarten are offered for free in Thuringia. The Left is adamant about the implementation of a third Kita year without charges. Some critics argue that this move primarily benefits wealthier families, as kindergarten fees typically align with parental income levels. The Left has long advocated for free education.
The current government is working on a budget for the upcoming Double Budget 2026/2027. However, the coalition currently lacks a majority in parliament and is at an impasse with the Left and AfD opposition. The budget for the year 2025 was passed with the help of the Left faction, with the inclusion of a third free kindergarten year in 2027 as part of the compromise.
However, the ministry of education clarifies that the budget drafting process is not yet complete due to the lack of consideration for the expected share of the federal infrastructure special asset. Whether the third free kindergarten year will be featured in the Double Budget draft remains uncertain.
Failure to Act: Implications for Future Negotiations?
For a third free kindergarten year to materialize, the kindergarten law would need to be revised. The Left faction has already submitted a bill to the state parliament, which has been in limbo within the education committee. According to Grosse-Roethig, a hearing has yet to be initiated. Grosse-Roethig questioned, "If the state government isn't dedicated to keeping agreements from the 2025 budget, then it naturally schools doubt about reaching agreements for the Double Budget 2026/27."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education indicated that a revision of the kindergarten law is imminent, "to prepare for the implementation of language tests in Thuringian kindergartens."
- Double Budget
- The Left
- Thuringia
- Ulrike Grosse-Roethig
- State Parliament
- CDU
- SPD
- Education
- German Press Agency
Context:
There has been no concrete update as to whether the Thuringian Left's demand for a third free kindergarten year will be included in the final draft of the Double Budget 2026/2027. Budget negotiations can be a challenging process, especially when it comes to education and social programs in Thuringia, making it difficult to predict specific budgetary decisions.
- Ulrike Grosse-Roethig, the education representative from The Left, emphasized that the Thuringian Left expects the state government to honor its commitment regarding a third free kindergarten year in the Double Budget 2026/2027, setting a political stage that could impact future negotiations.
- The demand for a third free kindergarten year in Thuringia by The Left, a controversial policy point in the ongoing Double Budget discussions, has raised questions about the coalition's ability to pass future legislation within the context of policy-and-legislation and general-news.
