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Greens Unveil Five-Point Plan To Address City Problems After Merz “Cityscape” Remark

The move shifts the focus from Merz’s wording to funding gaps plus practical steps cities say they need.

Overview

  • The Greens’ paper urges federal action in five areas: municipal finances, social infrastructure, stronger police and justice, better protection for women, and relief on housing costs.
  • It links visible urban problems to local budget strain and calls for debt relief and a higher municipal share of VAT, while criticizing use of the federal special fund and tax cuts that reduce city revenues.
  • Proposals include more staff and tools against organized crime, specialized prosecutors, and redeploying Bundespolizei from border checks to rail hubs by ending temporary controls.
  • The plan highlights women’s safety with better lighting, more police presence and shelters, support for making catcalling a crime, and calls for tighter rent enforcement and measures against speculation.
  • Public response remains mixed: weekend protests continued but drew modest numbers, including about 250 in Munich versus 5,000 announced, small rallies such as 50–60 in Wildeshausen, a Kreuzberg complaint filed, and 13 state-capital mayors pressing Berlin for urgent municipal aid.