District Administrator Allgaier was unable to attend the New Year's reception in person for family reasons and expressed his regret at his absence to the guests. The reason was the death of his mother. Rainer Gessler therefore read out the District Administrator's New Year's speech and moderated the evening.
Looking back on an eventful 2025
The District Administrator's speech focused on the year 2025, which was characterized by international crises, economic upheaval and a tense financial situation for local authorities. The District Administrator had a clear message: "Stability cannot be taken for granted. It is created where responsibility is taken, compromises are possible and the view to the future is not lost."
For the district, 2025 was therefore dominated by budget consolidation. The "(Re-)Set 2026" project has succeeded in significantly reducing the budget deficit. 43 million euros were saved - but despite great efforts, structural problems remained. Gessler therefore appealed on behalf of the district administrator: the federal and state governments must provide the municipal level with the financial resources it needs to fulfill its tasks.
The visit of a delegation from the district of Ludwigsburg to the Israeli partner region of the Upper Galilee was also highlighted in the speech. After all, it is precisely in times of crisis that we see the strength of friendship across borders.
Trust, media literacy and dealing with misinformation
One focus of the speech was on the topic of disinformation. Fake news, artificially created videos and distortions are increasingly threatening trust in politics and the media - including at a local level. Opinions are legitimate - but facts are non-negotiable. On behalf of the District Administrator, Gessler therefore called for transparency, dialog and media literacy to be strengthened in order to counter populist and false narratives.
Economy, resilience and security
With regard to the economic situation in the region, the District Administrator was combative in his New Year's speech: "We are a region of inventors and thinkers. Now we need to actively shape the transformation." He announced that he would continue to drive forward the Ludwigsburg district's strategy for the future.
Crisis and disaster prevention also remains a key issue. Following the recent power outage in Berlin, the district administrator reiterated his support for the construction of a modern disaster control center in the district. Infrastructures must become more resilient - security is not a budgetary issue, but a core task.
Healthcare in transition
Another focus was on the district's clinics. With a new consolidation program and a complementary strategy, the three locations Ludwigsburg, Bietigheim and Markgröningen are to work more closely together in future. The aim is to provide stable, patient-centered care. At the same time, anyone who takes health seriously must not take resources away from the clinics.
Planned investments - for example in a cardiac catheter measuring station in Bietigheim or state-of-the-art imaging technology in Markgröningen - are intended to secure high-quality medical care in the district in the long term.
Inspiration from guest speaker Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen
The fact that climate protection, health and social responsibility are closely linked was explained by the evening's celebrity guest speaker, Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen. The doctor, science journalist and foundation founder combined medical knowledge, humor and social issues in his lecture. Von Hirschhausen and Ludwigsburg are no strangers to each other. "I've been connected to Ludwigsburg since I was a child because my grandparents lived here," said von Hirschhausen. "I am therefore delighted that we can support three local causes close to my heart with this generous support and the New Year's reception: With my first foundation, HUMOR HELPS HEAL, the children's hospital with clowns and a child-friendly design. Then the Aufwind association, which cares for chronically ill children. And thirdly, an important topic for the future: communication on extreme weather situations. Together with the Medical Association, my Healthy Earth-Healthy People Foundation and the Film Academy, we are planning contemporary educational videos. This will give an impetus to civil society today that will bear fruit in many places and continue to have an impact."
Into the new year with confidence
On behalf of the district administrator, Gessler concluded by thanking the many committed people in the district - in politics, voluntary work, business, civil society and administration. He also addressed the District Administrator's positive message to the guests: "If we trust in knowledge, share responsibility and act in solidarity, we can actively shape this year - pragmatically, humanely and with confidence."
