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Citizen Dialogue in Weißenfels: Elke Simon-Kuch Kicks Off Campaign with Open ExchangeWith an intensive citizen dialogue, state parliament member Elke Simon-Kuch (CDU) officially launched her election campaign on January 23, 2026. 
Around 80 citizens accepted her invitation to the Centras hall in Weißenfels to discuss political goals, regional challenges, and her personal priorities. The evening began with a moment of silence for the recently deceased SPD politician Rüdiger Erben, before Simon-Kuch opened the event. Politics, she emphasized, thrives on dialogue – and for that purpose, she intended to take about two hours that evening. Economy, Bureaucracy, and Migration as Core TopicsThe first intervention from the audience raised a fundamental question: The CDU has been in government at state and federal levels for many years – what exactly needs to change now?Simon-Kuch named economic policy as a central field of action. This includes changes to building regulations, noticeable reductions in bureaucracy, adjustments to procurement rules, handling migration developments, and stronger consideration of ETS fees (ETS » Emissions Trading System – costs companies pay for greenhouse gas emissions under the EU emissions trading scheme). Education is one of her personal passions, as is reforming public broadcasting. For detailed positions, she referred to the CDU election program. As a parliamentarian, Simon-Kuch is a member of several committees, including infrastructure, digital affairs, environment, economy, climate, and education. She attends other committees, such as the petitions committee, specifically when regional issues are at stake. Industrial Wastelands, Structural Change, and Monument ProtectionA key topic of the evening was the industrial wastelands in Weißenfels, especially in Neustadt and Deuben.Structural change offers great opportunities, Simon-Kuch said. However, existing regulations, such as those concerning ecological points, need to be adjusted to allow development. In Deuben, monument protection also plays a crucial role. It must be carefully evaluated which buildings are worth preserving, which can be repurposed, and where demolition makes sense. Only then can true revitalization succeed. CO₂ Relief: Why Citizens Don’t Feel It ImmediatelyWhen asked when CO₂ relief would finally be noticeable for citizens, Simon-Kuch pointed to the realities of coalition politics.Energy price relief often reaches consumers with a delay – similar to a potential VAT reduction in gastronomy, which primarily secures the survival of businesses rather than automatically lowering prices for customers. This statement drew audible murmurs in the hall. Successes from the Parliamentarian’s PerspectiveAsked about her personal achievements, Simon-Kuch emphasized that politics is always teamwork. Nonetheless, she mentioned several points: The Office for Agriculture, Land Consolidation, and Forestry remains in Weißenfels and was not relocated to Merseburg; lottery funds were secured for regional clubs, including UHC Weißenfels; additionally, an educational campus is being developed at the monastery, integrated with the Goethe Gymnasium.Weißenfels Prison, Jobs, and Regional ProcurementQuestions were raised about jobs, construction contracts, and supply related to the new Weißenfels correctional facility. Simon-Kuch explained that retirements and the reduction of commuters from Halle could create new positions. In tenders, greater inclusion of regional construction and supply companies should be considered, even if capacities still need to be built.Between Parliament, Business, and FamilyPersonal questions also came up. How does she balance her mandate with running her own business? Simon-Kuch praised the support of her husband, her office manager Christine Kaiser, and the strong backing of her family. In Magdeburg, she has an office with sleeping facilities to avoid long commutes and hotel stays.Fiber Optics, “EBD,” and State MergersRegarding the slow fiber optic rollout in Markwerben and Uichteritz, Simon-Kuch promised to follow up with the provider. Over 30 percent of households have already signed contracts, but progress has not yet been visible.With a wink, she also explained the abbreviation “EBD – Elke stays on it”: a dedicated email address to collect and systematically address concerns. On the debate over possible mergers of federal states, she clearly advocated maintaining the states but supported streamlining and consolidating administrative structures where sensible. Swimming Pool, Youth, and Intergenerational ProjectsQuestions about the Weißenfels swimming pool sparked discussion. The state audit office had made the construction halt necessary. A new city pool is planned, with costs between 15 and 22 million euros.Youth work also received significant attention. Simon-Kuch reported on school visits, reading sessions in kindergartens, and a youth roundtable that evolved into an intergenerational meeting. A WhatsApp group, “Experience Weißenfels,” aims to better connect young people and inform them about available programs. Looking Ahead: S-Bahn, Culture, and the City CenterIn the future, she wants to be measured by improvements in S-Bahn frequency, the establishment of a youth art school, development of the inter-municipal industrial area, and progress on open projects such as the Müller Drugstore in the city center.Other topics included new parking spaces on Marienstraße, vacant buildings in Burgwerben, and the future of the city library. Simon-Kuch sees the library as an important location factor and plans another reading picnic. An Evening of DialogueAfter more than two hours, the official part of the event concluded. In many individual conversations, the exchange continued well past 10 p.m., before Elke Simon-Kuch and her team left the center.An open, intensive, and thematically broad campaign kickoff. Whether one shares her positions or not, her local engagement and direct exchange with citizens were unmistakable that evening. Ultimately, the decision on whether words translate into actions rests with the voters. Images and video recordings of the event were not permitted. Author: AI-Translation - Karla Kolumna | |
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