Volt on democracy and the state

Volt wants to reallocate responsibilities among the federal government, the states and municipalities and to strengthen municipal finances. To that end, the Gewerbesteuer (local business tax) is to be replaced by a revenue source that does not depend on the business cycle.

Volt wants new rules on who does what in the state. This concerns the federal government, the states, and towns and cities. Towns and cities should get money more reliably. For this, Volt wants to replace the local business tax. Companies pay this tax to their town.

Responsibilities across the levels of government are to be redistributed and made more efficient. A new digital ministry is to standardize digital processes at every level. Replacing the local business tax is meant to leave total revenue unchanged, and the ordinance on concession fees is to be thoroughly revised. The states are to get more leeway of their own on taxes, which the platform says creates incentives for sustainable fiscal policy. A demographic factor in the fiscal equalization system among the states is meant to make distribution fairer.

Volt wants the federal government to work toward verifiable impact goals and ministries to cooperate more closely. Laws are to be checked for their practical effect both before and after they are passed.

Volt wants the government to set clear goals. People should be able to measure whether it reaches them. New laws should first be tested in towns and cities. Later, someone checks whether the laws work. Budget money should also be tied to goals.

For complex issues that cut across several departments, flexible "project ministries" are to be set up. Practice checks and real-world labs are to test laws in municipalities first, followed by regular reviews of their effectiveness. Budget funds are to be linked to specific goals and evaluated every year. Budget management is to be harmonized at all levels of government and moved to double-entry bookkeeping.

Volt wants to make public administration more digital, flexible and service-oriented. Applications are to count as approved if the authority does not process them in time, and central contact points are to simplify access to services.

Volt wants to modernize government offices. There should be one central place for many requests. If an office does not handle an application in time, it counts as approved. Rules should be checked regularly and made simpler. Work in the offices should become more flexible.

Central contact points ("one-stop shops") are to bundle administrative services. Regulations are to be reviewed and simplified on a regular basis. On staffing, the platform relies on adjusted pay structures, temporary civil-servant status and rotation of staff between different sectors. Managers and employees are to receive training, for example on spotting disinformation and fighting corruption, to make the administration more resilient.

Volt wants to lower the voting age to 16 for all elections and introduce a backup vote. EU citizens are to be allowed to vote and run in state and federal elections after three years of residence.

Volt wants people to vote from age 16. This should apply to every election. There should also be a backup vote. It counts if the first party gets too few votes. People from other EU countries should be allowed to vote after three years.

The backup vote is cast alongside the main vote and counts if the preferred party fails to clear the percentage threshold. Voting rights for EU citizens cover both voting and standing as a candidate and require at least three years of residence in Germany. For candidacies in federal elections, all documents are to be submitted digitally. Supporter signatures are to be collected and confirmed electronically, which the platform says lowers bureaucratic hurdles.

Volt wants to introduce a national anti-corruption strategy and disclose lobbying influence on legislation. In addition, citizens' budgets in municipalities and a youth parliament are meant to strengthen participation.

Volt wants to do more against corruption. Corruption means someone uses their office for personal gain. People should be able to see who influenced a law. Local residents should decide on part of their town's money. Young people should get their own parliament.

The anti-corruption strategy includes a protection program for whistleblowers and strict rules on side jobs held by decision-makers. A "legislative footprint" is to show which interests had a hand in a law. Municipalities are to set aside at least one euro per registered resident for public-interest projects, which residents decide on in a multi-stage process. A youth parliament for 12- to 20-year-olds is to draw up demands every year; the five most important go to the Bundestag.

Volt wants to narrow the differences between eastern and western Germany, relying on new participation formats and cultural funding. In the platform's view, a united Germany is a precondition for credibly advocating more European integration.

Volt wants East and West in Germany to grow closer together. For this, there should be a Future Council. There, citizens, politicians and associations look for solutions together. Schoolchildren everywhere should learn about the years around reunification. Meeting places for youth, clubs and culture should get money.

A regularly meeting Future Council is to bring citizens together with politics, civil society, and business and employee associations, modeled on the East German "Round Table." Citizens' councils are to enable participation and increase acceptance of decisions. The period of reunification and the years after it are to be included in school curricula nationwide. A joint federal and state fund is to secure youth, club and cultural centers. States and municipalities are to get help buying back vacant buildings for social and cultural purposes.

Volt wants to set up a central digital platform for public participation. Government spending would also be published in one place for everyone to see. The party says this would strengthen trust in how the state works.

Volt wants one website for taking part in politics. People can give their views there. The state should also show what it spends money on. Volt says this helps people trust the state.

The participation platform would be linked to existing digital infrastructure such as the DeutschlandID (Germany's digital identity account) so that it is secure and easy to use. A dashboard would present public finances centrally and clearly. The platform argues that participation depends on low barriers and transparency.