Clueless or responsible? Can Regensburg's budget escape the dead end?

Regensburg is heading for a critical vote on its budget as the city prepares to elect a new council and mayor on 8 March. The outgoing mayor, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer of the SPD, has proposed a 'Budget of Responsibility' to tackle financial strain—but the plan faces strong opposition and deep cuts of around €150 million.

The current administration is racing to finalise the budget before the new council takes over in early May. Maltz-Schwarzfischer’s proposal aims to strip controversial projects from the investment plan, sparing only schools and daycare centres. However, critics argue the budget lacks clear direction, leaving most initiatives open to debate.

Key projects like the Sallern rain bridge, the velodrome, and the Frankenbrücke bridge now face funding cuts or removal from the draft. Talks between the mayor and city factions have stalled, with no progress reported. Insiders claim neither the Greens nor the CSU show signs of backing the plan. Maltz-Schwarzfischer has blamed the election campaign for the deadlock. In response, the CSU and Greens accuse her of refusing to compromise. With no majority in sight, the budget’s future remains uncertain. Once the new council is elected, no party has yet been named to take charge of projects left unresolved by the outgoing administration.

The budget must be approved before early May, when the new council begins its term. Without a deal, Regensburg risks delays in funding essential projects. The outcome will depend on whether factions can reach an agreement in the coming weeks.