This was the result of the latest budget survey conducted by the NST among the independent and large independent cities as well as the state capitals of Hanover and Göttingen.

"The state's narrative that treasurers always plan carefully and that the situation in the budget results is not nearly as dramatic as in the budget planning is no longer true," continued Griese. The budget results for 2024 are "deep red". All 17 cities in the Conference of Lord Mayors would have a negative overall result in 2024; two cities with over 100 million, four other cities in a range between 70 and 100 million. "The cities have long been unable to finance their investments from current revenues."

"The federal and state governments are bleeding the large cities in Lower Saxony dry: The federal government by allocating more and more new tasks that are not or insufficiently funded and by a hospital reform that is ruinous for municipal budgets; the state by allocating far too little in the municipal financial equalization system" Griese explains further.

"Things cannot go on like this, otherwise many cities will be completely ruined and unable to act in three years' time. The federal and state governments must take their constitutional mandate seriously and finally return to local authority-friendly policies," concludes Griese.