Hesse State Government Presents Mid-Term Review and Announces Further Investments

Successes and the Hessenplan

"The goal was to tackle people's problems here and now," his deputy added. Rhein listed the "Hessengeld" (Hesse Money), which promotes the first-time acquisition of homeownership, among the government's further successes. The significantly shortened duration of asylum procedures in Hesse and better protection for women through stricter electronic ankle tag rules against violent offenders were also mentioned. Furthermore, Rhein pointed to the statewide tax return prepared by the tax office, which emerged from a pilot project unique in Germany.

Mansoori highlighted that obtaining a master craftsman's certificate in Hesse is now free of charge. Additionally, a record sum is being invested in women's shelters, the Minister of Economic Affairs explained. According to him, Hesse is at the forefront of digitizing building applications and the excellence of its universities. "The issue of affordable housing is our top priority," Mansoori emphasized.

For the coming period, Rhein announced initiatives in the areas of integration, deregulation, and artificial intelligence. "Now it's about its implementation," Rhein said, referring to the Hessenplan: "How do we get the Hessenplan on the road and on the rails?" At the same time, the state budget must continue to be consolidated due to declining tax revenues, which will necessitate a review of funding programs and job cuts.

Conflicts in the Coalition

According to their own statements, the CDU and SPD are currently negotiating a larger education package within the coalition. However, details have not yet been disclosed. The most significant public conflict to date was triggered by savings at Integrated Comprehensive Schools; however, the majority for the austerity measures in the state parliament ultimately held.

Mansoori had dismissed two state secretaries in the Ministry of Economic Affairs during the current legislative period. Furthermore, he is the focus of a parliamentary investigative committee regarding his handling of the non-partisan construction professor Lamia Messari-Becker; the matter is still pending in court. Most recently, he also dismissed his employee Umut Sönmez after an employee filed an internal complaint and later a criminal complaint following a carnival celebration at the ministry; the public prosecutor's office is investigating.

Opposition Criticism

One day before the government's press conference, the opposition factions presented their own assessments. The Green Party's parliamentary group leader, Mathias Wagner, spoke of "stagnation or even a reversal" on essential issues. He criticized savings at schools and universities, a shortage of kindergarten teachers, deficits in bus and rail transport, and a lack of success in creating affordable housing. In a second statement, he summarized: "The CDU does everything. The SPD goes along with everything."

The FDP parliamentary group leader, Stefan Naas, assessed the government's review as "Grand facade, meager balance sheet." The alleged construction turbo in housing policy had not ignited, and a law against vacancies had interfered with property rights without creating new housing. The FDP considers the decided mobile phone ban in schools to be outdated and sees deficits in teaching digital and financial topics.

The AfD parliamentary group leader, Robert Lambrou, criticized "baby steps on urgently needed reforms for our country, but a lot of fanfare in self-staging." He also said: "Mansoori has dismissed more state secretaries than he has had bridges built." In the state elections in October 2023, the CDU received 34.6 percent, the SPD 15.1 percent, thus behind the AfD but narrowly ahead of the Greens as the third strongest force.

Meanwhile, Rhein drew a positive conclusion from the cooperation so far. "I am happy with this coalition and this coalition partner," he said. Mansoori added: "The fresh wind from the SPD has done the state government good." Both emphasized in agreement that differences must be resolved behind closed doors and not in public. When asked what school grades they would give themselves on their interim report card, the two top politicians did not want to commit. "What we have done is good," Rhein said.

The background for the publication is also the financial situation of the state: due to declining tax revenues, the Hessian state budget must continue to be consolidated, affecting both funding programs and personnel. With the Hessenplan, the government nevertheless wants to initiate billion-euro investments in the modernization of the state – 7.4 billion euros of which come from the federal special fund. "It was exactly the right decision," Rhein reaffirmed, referring to the course set so far.