Mayor Richter defends himself against SPD allegations for the tender

Mayor Richter defends himself against SPD allegations for the tender

Mayor Henry Richter decidedly rejected the allegations of the SPD parliamentary group that he ignored the city parliament in the tender for the "Baunataler Nachrichten". In a clear statement, judge described the criticism as "legally baseless" and emphasized that his actions are based on a unanimous decision of the city council, which was already caught on December 16, 2024. The magistrate was commissioned to develop a "hybrid information system" that includes both a print edition as well as digital solutions and a citizen app. According to Richter's statements, there was no reservation that the city council had to approve the final tender.

The legal basis for his approach is judge in § 66 of the Hessian municipal code (HGO), which obliges the magistrate to carry out the decisions of the municipal council. With an existing contract that expires on June 30, 2025, timely new advertisements is necessary to ensure an official communication body. "We want to offer a transparent process here," said Richter, who traces the steps to tender:

• January 2025: Coordination with HNA on information relevant to the contract.
• February to March 2025: Contact with alternative providers.
• March to April 2025: Implementation of a reader survey with around 1,000 participants.
• 25. March 2025: Presentation of three HNA offers in the magistrate and the factions.
• 15. May 2025: Publication of the tender in the Hessian tender database.
• 19. May 2025: Transmission of the tender documents to the parliamentary group leader.

local law reform in Hesse

While the discussion about the tender for the "Baunataler Nachrichten" is raging in Baunatal, there are also significant changes at the state level. The black and red coalition in Hesse plans a comprehensive local law reform that is intended to increase the political ability of the municipalities. The aim is to reduce bureaucratic regulations and to improve the framework conditions for local politics.

The new law on the new law on the Hessian municipal code (HGO) is to be brought in in the state parliament next week. In the first reading of the law, Interior Minister Roman Poseck emphasized that this reform has been the most comprehensive for a decade and aims to strengthen the municipalities as a central pillar of democracy. In addition, no one should not form a faction in the future to strengthen the interests of smaller parties.

Some of the most important points of the reform are:

• Conversion of the counting procedure to the D’Hondtsches Höchst -Nahlmahr proceedings, which benefits larger parties.
• easier options for reducing municipal parliaments.
• Facialed regulations for digital session formats and live streaming of meetings.
• municipalities are allowed to become active economically in the area of ​​housing and renewable energies.
• better payment for mayors and district councilors from the second term.

The planned reform has already brought critics on the scene, including civil society organizations that see an intervention in democratic rights in the reform. Opposition forces such as the Greens and the FDP warn that the changes could endanger the rights of smaller parties and the democratic plurality. However, the Interior Minister emphasizes that the reform is coordinated with the municipal umbrella organizations and learns support.