Finance Matters: Demand for Federal Funding as Bavaria Foots the Bill for Border Police Deployments
Bavarian Border Police Deployments: A Financial Responsibility for the Federal Government - Federal authorities to finance Bavarian border patrol forces
In a damning critique, a recent annual report from Bavaria's Supreme Audit Office (ORH) highlights the significant costs incurred by the Free State due to its border police assuming federal duties. The report urges the federal government to rectify this situation, stating that "while the federal government had requested assistance from Bavarian border police in 2020, 2021, and 2023, no reimbursement was forthcoming."
Forty-two Million in Personnel Costs Alone
Furthermore, the report indicates that Bavarian border police perform federal tasks at Nuremberg and Memmingen airports, at a staggering expense of 42.5 million euros in personnel costs between 2020 and 2023, with the Free State shoulders the entire burden. The report recommends a negotiation with the federal government to address the Free State's budget concerns. Historically, between 2016 and 2020, the federal government had reimbursed the Free State 17.5 million euros in support of deployment costs.
However, radiating confusion surrounds the circumstances that led to the State Ministry of the Interior forgoing reimbursement based on the existing administrative agreement for deployments requested during the ensuing years of the global pandemic and immigration surges. The auditors emphasize the necessity for the State Ministry of the Interior to engage in negotiations with the federal government to protect the Free State's budgetary interests.
Origins of Bavaria's Border Police
The Bavarian border police was established in 2018, during Markus Söder's tenure as Minister-President, marking a major priority for the region. Initially, the force was designed to curb illegal immigration into Bavaria, but it has extended its mandate to encompass drug investigations and criminal pursuit.
The question of why the State Ministry of the Interior in Bavaria has not secured a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government since 2020 remains unanswered, fueling speculation about the interplay of political dynamics, fiscal implications, and policy priorities. A deeper examination of local political negotiations and budgetary decisions would be required to fully understand the situation.
- The annual report from Bavaria's Supreme Audit Office recommends that the State Ministry of the Interior negotiates with the federal government to reimburse the costs incurred from 2020 to 2023 for performing federal duties at airports, as the federal government had previously reimbursed similar amounts during 2016-2020.
- In light of the significant costs incurred and the lack of reimbursement, the regulatory body emphasizes the importance of vocational training programs for members of the border police force, as they are crucial for effective and efficient operations in the years to come.
- As the demand for stricter border control persists, it is essential to protect Bavaria's budgetary interests and secure a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government, preventing a potential overspend and protecting the community policy that prioritizes border security in the region.
