27.02.2026
Martin Huber, parliamentary group leader of Volt in the Römer, on the 2026 budget:
“After intensive and constructive talks with both the CDU and the LEFT, we are going the way together with the LEFT at the end of this legislative period. This overall package for the 2026 budget enables greater progress for the people in our city. We did not take the decision for one of the two negotiation results, each with different pros and cons, lightly. We thank all those involved who credibly faced the responsibility for the city of Frankfurt. Ultimately, in view of the special situation, we saw a good path in the now jointly announced agreement. The primary goal was to ensure a majority for the 2026 budget.
Free and healthy breakfast in primary schools and daycare centers is a particularly important contribution to more equal opportunities for us. A good start to the day improves the ability to concentrate and supports successful learning. With this offer, we are creating reliable framework conditions for all children—without application, without bureaucratic proof, and without additional hurdles. Equally decisive for us is the relief for young families through the free nursery years. Whoever wants to reconcile family and work needs a low-threshold childcare structure. With the purchase of additional occupancy rights and the massive expansion of social housing promotion, we are also sustainably strengthening Frankfurt’s social infrastructure. Affordable housing is the most pressing social question of our time; the budget agreement provides a clear answer to it.
We discussed the labor market allowance most intensively; this was the most difficult point for us. From our point of view, targeted allowances for particularly burdened occupational groups and specific shortage occupations, oriented toward salary levels in the private sector, are the more sensible path. At the same time, we hope that the now-agreed compromise not only makes a short-term contribution to securing skilled labor, but also triggers a reform of the TVöD (Collective Agreement for the Public Service), which takes greater account of the challenging conditions for public service employees in an expensive city like Frankfurt.”
