Brandenburg State Budget Vote in Doubt as Sven Hornauf Demands Changes
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Get ready for some parliamentary drama in just under two weeks as a unified vote from the SPD/BSW coalition in the Brandenburg state parliament isn't guaranteed yet. BSW MP Sven Hornauf, a occasional dissident from the coalition line, is making his approval of the double budget for this and next year contingent on changes in education and property tax.
With a narrow majority of two votes in parliament, the SPD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) have a total of 46 out of 88 MPs. The double budget is expected to be decided on June 20. It includes cuts, although some have since been removed.
Hornauf Slams Proposed Teaching Hours
The education package Hornauf refers to involves the coalition's plans to have teachers give one more hour of teaching per week in exchange for savings. They are expected to be relieved elsewhere, with the final exams in grade 10 at gymnasiums and the primary school assessments being scrapped. Hornauf calls this move "educational nonsense." He insists, "We all said we're committed to improvement."
Hornauf also warns that property tax will significantly rise for homeowners in some regions. He advocates for municipalities to have the option of a differentiated tax rate for commercial and private properties. Despite his own motion not passing, he previously supported a similar motion from the AfD faction in May. BSW MP Reinhard Simon also abstained.
Property Tax Concerns
By not complying with the coalition agreement that opposition motions and initiatives should be rejected in principle for the first time, Hornauf caused unrest. In May, he abstained in the vote on the Ministry of the Interior's budget, causing the draft to not receive a majority. He was then removed from all state parliament committees. A faction expulsion was also discussed.
The SPD faction leader Björn Lüttmann said at the end of May that he is confident that "all members of the SPD faction will vote for the budget." The BSW faction also hopes that the budget will be approved. Faction leader Niels-Olaf Lüders said that the vote on the property tax had been evaluated with Simon "in such a way that we can rely on it." As for Hornauf, it remains uncertain if he will join the vote.
Possible Demands in Education and Property Tax
Here are some typical demands and changes sought in education and property tax by political voices in Brandenburg:
- Education: investment in infrastructure, digitalization, teacher recruitment, rural schools support, teacher pay increases, equity in education for disadvantaged students, and regional support.
- Property Tax (Grundsteuer): fair land valuation, support for small homeowners, transparency, revenue use for local needs, and lower rates on owner-occupied properties.
If Hornauf is indeed a local figure, looking for his latest press releases, official statements, or council meeting minutes, his personal or party website, or local news outlets can offer more details on his specific policy proposals.
- Within the Brandenburg parliament, Sven Hornauf, a BSW MP, has voiced his disapproval of the proposed education policy, particularly the plan for teachers to provide an extra hour of teaching per week, terming it as "educational nonsense."
- In addition to education, Hornauf has also raised concerns about property tax, advocating for municipalities to have the option of a differentiated tax rate for commercial and private properties, to help manage the potential rise in property taxes for homeowners in some regions.
