Census numbers shock municipalities: millions of losses threaten!

Census numbers shock municipalities: millions of losses threaten!

Hohenmölsen, Deutschland - alarm mood in numerous municipalities! The current census numbers ensure massive concern, because many cities fear drastic cuts in the money allocations. So far, 28 municipalities have submitted their hearing arches to the State Statistical Office after the deadline last Friday. Some cities even asked for an extension of the deadline to assert their objections.

"We are convinced that the statistical process is inaccurate and our own surveys better reflect reality," explains Andy Haugk (CDU), Mayor of Hohenmölsen. The census has found that 3.63 percent fewer people live in its city than stated in the official registration assistants. Other cities in Saxony-Anhalt are also affected: Halberstadt recorded a decline of over 7.6 percent, Halle (Saale) more than six percent and Oschersleben over five percent. These numbers are not only alarming, they also have direct financial consequences!

financial losses threaten

The population is crucial for the money flows from the federal government and the country. The municipal financial equalization, an important source of income, depends directly on the figures determined by the census. Fewer residents mean less money! Merseburg expects a loss of around one million euros, Thale with 200,000 euros and even with a shocking minus of around 15 million euros. Christoph Schulze (CDU), Mayor of Bad Dürrenberg, warns: "The differences are not insignificant!"

Despite the massive concerns, the municipalities do not seem to be willing to legally act against the census results. "A lawsuit would have no prospect of success," said Maik Zedschack (CDU), Mayor of Thale. Instead, many cities require a fundamental reform of the Financial equalization law to ensure that the allocations are based on the data of the registration register and not on the controversial census.