On Tuesday, the municipal council wanted to raise the fees for the Christkindlesmarkt. The administration proposed increases of 20% for confectionery, snack stands and mulled wine. The FDP, Free Voters and “FÜR Karlsruhe” opposed the proposal early on. The counter-proposal, which was expected to be a compromise, provided for the 10% possible for the showmen and showwomen. The Green city council groups followed the administration from the outset, while the CDU and SPD wanted to go their own way at short notice – not allowing the proposal of the FDP, Free Voters and “FÜR Karlsruhe” to stand alone. As a result, however, the large city council groups blocked their majorities and rowed towards 20%.
To the surprise of the CDU and SPD, their own increases failed to gain a majority – without further ado, city councillor Yvette Melchien, leader of the SPD parliamentary group, had the meeting interrupted. The SPD now had two options: to follow the proposal of their SPD mayor and increase the prices for the showmen and showwomen or to remain true to their short-term proposal and do something about the increase. The situation also became too heated for the mayor: he split up his proposal and put the non-critical points to a separate vote. In the vote on the fee increase for the Christkindlesmarkt, a broad majority voted against the increase – including the SPD. The status quo remains, the Lord Mayor visibly upset, as the press reported – a drumbeat.
“The political chess game didn’t pay off for the big groups today,” says the Zählgemeinschaft, “we have to play politics with the people and that’s what the FDP, Freie Wähler and FÜR Karlsruhe city council groups have achieved today.” This means that the prices for the Christkindlesmarkt 2024 will remain stable for the time being on the part of the city – Merry Christmas.
