Brandenburg Finance Minister Proposes Civil Servant Cuts Amidst Staff Shortages
Brandenburg’s new Finance Minister, Daniel Keller (SPD), aims to reduce personnel costs by five percent across the state administration, with a freeze on hiring new civil servants in core sovereign areas and education, as outlined in the coalition agreement. The measure is slated for implementation this year.
The proposal has drawn criticism from the Civil Service Association (DBB Brandenburg). Marcel Göde, a lawyer for the association, stated that a significant staff shortage already exists in nearly all areas of the state administration. He argues that further reductions would send the wrong signal and exacerbate existing problems. “If vacant positions are not filled again, there is a risk that the remaining employees will be overloaded. The result of this would be higher sickness rates,” Göde told rbb|24 [1].
Göde similarly questioned the feasibility of offsetting the job cuts with digitalization and artificial intelligence. He further highlighted the ambiguity surrounding the definition of “core sovereign areas,” noting that with approximately 33,000 civil servants in Brandenburg, half of whom work in education, limiting the restriction to areas excluding police, judiciary, education and finance would leave few areas eligible for cuts [1].
Political Background: Daniel Keller’s Rise
Daniel Keller assumed the position of Finance Minister in March 2026, having previously served as Minister for Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection from December 2024 to March 2026 [2]. He has been a member of the Brandenburg Landtag since 2019 and served as the leader of the SPD parliamentary group from 2021 to 2024 [2]. Keller was born on August 9, 1986, in Potsdam [2].
Prior to his political career, Keller served as a paramedic in the Bundeswehr from 2006 to 2011 and briefly studied medicine. He also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Administrative Science, and Sociology from FernUniversität Hagen [2]. He is currently the chairman of the SV Motor Babelsberg sports club in Potsdam [2].
The discussions surrounding the budget indicate potentially challenging negotiations. The state cabinet is scheduled to hold a financial retreat after the Easter holidays, with the draft budget for the next two years to be presented to the state parliament for discussion in September [1].