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Fuss over “Mohrenstrasse” in Saxony: Greens win lawsuit against city!
They received no information, but complained: The Greens must have their questions about Mohrenstrasse in Radebeul answered by the city.
Radebeul – You have not received any information and are suing. Now it's clear: The Greens have the right to have their questions about Mohrenstrasse in Radebeul answered by the town hall!
Because they did not receive an answer to their inquiry about Mohrenstrasse in Radebeul, the Greens went to the Saxon Higher Administrative Court. (Symbolic photo) © Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
As Saxony's Higher Administrative Court (OVG) announced, the parliamentary group wanted to know from Mayor Bert Wendsche (60, independent) why Mohrenstrasse got its name at the beginning of the 20th century.
However, the city leader refused to respond. The reason: There is a lack of current facts.
This view contradicts the OVG in its decision: “The issue was discussed in public with citizens. This provides a current reference,” said spokesman Peter Kober to “MDR”.
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According to the Saxon municipal code, the mayor is obliged to answer questions from council members about individual city matters – as in the present case. It is not enough to refer to self-research in the city archive.
City hall is waiting for the verdict
Radebeul's mayor Bert Wendsche (60, independent) has received a legal slap. © Petra Hornig
“It could have also concerned a topic other than Mohrenstrasse,” says Kober, explaining the fundamental meaning of the judgment, against which no appeal is permitted.
Plaintiff and Green Party city councilor Martin Oehmichen said on Facebook: “I am glad that a decision has finally been made after more than three years. This ruling underlines how important it is that city councils have access to information in order to be able to exercise their rights of control and participation.
He hopes that the judgment will have a signaling effect – also for Radebeul's mayor in the future handling of written inquiries.
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How the town hall itself will react to the decision is still unclear. In response to an MDR request, a spokeswoman said: “We as the Radebeul city administration do not currently have the judgment and the reasons for the judgment in this case. Therefore, we cannot make any statement about the case at this time.”
In 2021, the student group “RIKA” (racism is not an alternative) founded the parliamentary groups in a letter to discuss the renaming of Radebeuler Mohrenstraße and the Mohrenhaus. Two citizen discussions were then organized.
First report: 3:33 p.m. Update: 6:23 p.m.
