Financial Aid for Christmas Market Operators: Latest Updates in Saxony-Anhalt
Struggling businesses seek reimbursement following assault incident - Assessing Potential Compensation for Businesses Through Estimation
After the chaotic incident at the Magdeburg Christmas market, the state of Saxony-Anhalt is still pondering over financial aid for the Christmas market stall operators. As of now, 58 applications for what's known as 'ex-gratia payments' have been submitted, according to a representative from the Ministry of Economics. The goal is to make a decision on all applications by the end of August.
These payments cover expenses such as personnel costs and rental fees for stalls or shops post the calamitous event on December 20. The exact sum of the payments will be calculated after a thorough evaluation of all applications.
There's been a call for aid in the Magdeburg city council as well. Before Christmas, a Saudi Arabian man barreled his vehicle through the Magdeburg Christmas market, resulting in 6 fatalities and injuring around 300 people, some seriously. Consequently, the Christmas market had to be shut down.
This week, the Magdeburg city council is deliberating on financial aid for the stall operators. In a motion, several factions urge Magdeburg's Mayor Simone Borris (independent) to scrutinize suitable remuneration. The initial refund of the pro-rated stall fee for eight missed days, along with partial reimbursement for spoiled or unsold goods, is deemed insufficient, according to the motion. "The economic loss is akin to the sales decline during the Corona pandemic."
The projected loss of sales for the stall operators amounts to approximately two million euros. The last days of the Christmas market are traditionally the most profitable; hence, the financial setback is substantial. The motion was presented, in part, by the SPD, CDU, FDP, Greens, Volt, Animal Protection Alliance, and Animal Protection Party.
- Magdeburg Christmas Market Attack
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Remuneration
In light of the financial losses incurred by operators of the Magdeburg Christmas market following the December incident, the city council is discussing potentially enhanced remuneration to cover the substantial economic impact, comparatively similar to the sales decline during the Corona pandemic. Meanwhile, the state of Saxony-Anhalt is also examining the possibility of vocational training programs to aid recovery in the industry, hoping to foster a more resilient retail business environment in the future.
