Future of local advisory boards: unleash controversy about local democracy!

in Geislitz was voted for the dissolution of the local advisory boards after Mayor Albert Ungermann (SPD) launched a corresponding application. This proposal was created from suggestions from some factions and is now finally decided by the municipal parliament in January. Despite an intensive hour of the discussion, the local advisory board of Eidessässer decided clearly to preserve the local councils. Members of the political committees express criticism of the accelerated procedure and the narrow time frame in which these decisions must be made.

Important points in the debate were suggestions to adapt the number of members to the population and the idea of creating a common list in order to obtain basic democracy in the village. Jan Bohlender pointed out that this discussion about the democratic future of the local advisory boards takes place shortly before a significant Bundestag election, which puts additional explosives. The procedure was also questioned, since the Hessian Association of Cities and Municipalities (HSGB) informed only late about the planned changes.

discussion about strengthening the local advisory councils

The local advisory board met on January 2, while Mayor Unvavia was on vacation. Ellen Heyer and Jürgen Röscher, members of the Advisory Board, emphasized that the work on site was no longer desired, while Röscher clearly expressed the need to strengthen the local councils. Mayor André Millot confirmed that the local advisory board is concerned with many important topics, but often had to wait a long time for the implementation of decisions. Markus Luderer (SPD) also informed that Ungermann has informed himself about alternative models without local advisory boards. For example, there are already "apolitical lists" for local advisory boards in Sinntal.

In the final discussion, demands from the committee also arose that the abolition of the local advisory boards was too abrupt. Changes were considered necessary to promote positive development in local politics. The main statute would have to be changed for the final dissolution of the local advisory boards, which requires a two-thirds majority in the municipal council.

The background of the debate reflect the core topics of municipal democracy. Municipalities are central places of the political participation for citizens. As shown on the website of the civil society , citizen participation includes various procedures and instruments as well as a municipal orientation of citizen orientation. The forms of participation, which are intended in municipal orders and local constitutions, depend on the population and the decisions of the respective municipal council.

In addition, the German City Day emphasizes that the inclusion of citizens in municipal decisions is essential for self -government. Comprehensive citizen participation can increase the quality and acceptance of decisions, although challenges such as the decreasing influence of individual citizens and the marginalization of certain population groups must also be taken into account.