Parking costs will rise in Hanover.

In the heart of Germany, the city of Hannover is embroiled in a heated debate over a proposed parking fee increase. The city administration's plan, spearheaded by Green Mayor Belit Onay, aims to significantly boost parking fees in the city centre.

The proposed increase could see the hourly parking fee rise from the current 2.60 euros to a steep 4.80 euros, marking an 85% hike. This move has sparked widespread concern among residents, local businesses, and various political parties.

Some parties on the council have distanced themselves from the administration's ideas, criticising the potential burden this increase could impose on the city's residents and businesses. The SPD, CDU, and FDP have accused the administration of losing sight of the people and common sense, while the AfD has publicly demanded a parking price freeze.

The FDP has gone a step further, calling for a "parking price brake" in response to the proposed increase. Martin Prenzler, CEO of the City Community, has expressed similar concerns, fearing a potential "location disadvantage" due to the increased parking fees.

Industry and the Chamber of Commerce, along with the General Employers' Association, share these concerns, expressing worries that the city centre and the economy could suffer after the plans were published.

The ambitious plans of Mayor Onay to make Hannover car-free have been a subject of political disputes for years. Her plans, which include a car-free city centre, have been met with resistance, leading to the end of the SPD's red-green coalition that had previously supported her.

Neue Presse speculates that Mayor Onay is deliberately accepting the anger of some drivers to score points with her more car-critical electorate. However, the leaked parking fee proposal could potentially be beneficial for Mayor Onay, as it might expedite the discussion and reduce its role in the election campaign.

The election campaign for the Hannover council and mayor has likely begun, with the election scheduled for September next year. The city administration was tasked by some parties to generate an additional eight million euros per year through parking management to ease the financial pressure on the municipal budget.

The leaked parking fee proposal reflects an interim status, and it remains to be seen how the discussions will unfold in the coming months. As the city grapples with this contentious issue, the future of Hannover's parking landscape hangs in the balance.