The new RBB agreement, a state treaty between Berlin and Brandenburg, has been approved by both state parliaments. This move is in response to allegations of nepotism and waste that RBB was embroiled in last summer. The treaty aims to strengthen supervisory bodies, introduce duties of care and liability rules for decision-makers, and prevent unilateral actions by the directorate.
The approval in the Brandenburg State Parliament in Potsdam saw support from the governing parties SPD, CDU, and Greens, while the AfD and Free Voters rejected the proposal, and the Left Party abstained. In Berlin's House of Representatives, the coalition parties CDU and SPD voted in favor, with the AfD voting against, and the Left and Greens abstaining.
The agreement is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, according to Brandenburg State Secretary Sebastian Grimm. Following the approval by both state parliaments, the ratification documents could be exchanged in December, as per the State Chancellery in Potsdam.
The treaty also strengthens the regional focus of the public ARD broadcaster. This is achieved through 60 minutes of regional reporting and a new regional office in Brandenburg/Havel. However, RBB Director-General Ulrike Demmer expresses concerns that certain provisions may encroach on the broadcaster's independence, particularly with regards to regional reporting.
The parliamentary groups of Brandenburg's governing coalition emphasized the importance of the new treaty for public broadcasting. The coalition leader, Jan Redmann, described the broadcaster as a beacon of transparency, while SPD MP Erik Stohn praised it as a pioneer in public service broadcasting.
The AfD criticized the contract and the broadcaster, while Free Voters leader Péter Vida stated that the broadcaster was further removed from the people than ever before. Criticism also came from the opposition, with the Green Party's Antje Kapek calling the amendment a political compromise, and the Left Party's Anne Helm demanding guarantees for freedom of programming and independence from the state.
The RBB Bancorp, as a financial institution, would typically have governance structures and transparency measures in place to ensure accountability and compliance with regulatory requirements. This includes regular reporting of financial performance, risk management practices, and adherence to legal and regulatory standards. Financial institutions like RBB Bancorp often have a regional focus, serving specific geographic areas and managing regional risks.
In the context of the RBB state treaty, state treaties in Germany are agreements between the federal government and the states (Länder) that address specific issues related to governance, finance, and policy. These treaties often aim to ensure cooperation and coordination between the federal and state levels of government. State treaties typically include provisions for transparency and governance to ensure decisions are made in a fair and accountable manner, often including mechanisms for public participation, oversight bodies, and regular reporting requirements. They often reflect a regional focus, addressing issues specific to the regions involved, including economic development, infrastructure projects, and social policies tailored to the needs of the region.
