Neugliederung des Bundesgebietes - oder Kooperation der Bundesländer?

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A functioning democratic and social federation relies on the constituent states' ability to perform effectively. In Germany, not all Länder meet this requirement adequately. City states and smaller Länder often face policy-making challenges that cross state borders, while others lack the necessary size to provide essential infrastructure and administrative services. Additionally, some Länder struggle with financial resources needed for vital tasks. The increasing transfer payments for fiscal equalisation, aimed at addressing these disparities, threaten the autonomy of the states. The Basic Law envisions territorial restructuring of the Länder as a means to address these issues, but such reforms and their benefits can only be realized over the long term. Enhancing cooperation among Länder governments may serve as a preliminary step toward restructuring and can provide an alternative solution. Fiscal equalisation should be refined to support these initiatives rather than impede them. Ultimately, the cooperation of Länder governments and territorial restructuring, framed within a spatial context, should be fundamental components of federal reform, necessitating a long-term strategic approach to revising the constitutional rules of fiscal federalism.