The development of the memorial, learning, and meeting site at the “Alter Leipziger Bahnhof” (Old Leipzig Railway Station) is on the brink of collapse. Due to the blockade by the CDU city council faction, there is no majority in the city council to approve the planned budget funds. This means that the funds earmarked for 2025 are in danger of being forfeited – and there is no sign of approval for 2026 either.

Renate Aris, a member of the Förderkreis Alter Leipziger Bahnhof (supporters of the Old Leipzig Railway Station), 90 years old, one of the last living Holocaust survivors in Saxony, stated:

“I am appalled. At a time when fascism is spreading, CDU politicians in the city of Dresden are shirking their responsibility to history. They are rejecting the continuation of the development of a memorial, learning, and meeting place at the Old Leipzig Railway Station for flimsy reasons. They are blocking it, probably thinking that it won’t be so bad. I lived through that time and survived. It got much worse than anyone could ever have imagined. The time for benevolent discussions is over. In times of growing anti-Semitism, I expect the CDU to take a clear stance and be willing to help ensure that the project is finally implemented!”

André Lang, spokesperson for the supporters group, member of the board of trustees of “Tacheles 2026 – Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony,” and member of the Jewish Community of Dresden adds: “Contrary to all statements, the Dresden CDU city council faction is working against the memorial site at the Old Leipzig Train Station. Several attempts to talk to the faction leader have failed. Is this to be Dresden’s contribution to the Jewish cultural year “Tacheles 2026”? And is this the political backing for Minister President Kretschmer (CDU) in his bid for a branch of Yad Vashem in Saxony? The current stance of the Dresden CDU is unlikely to strengthen this cause. We had previously assumed that coming to terms with the Nazi era and commemorating the victims of the Shoah was sacrosanct in our society. We expect the CDU to make a clear commitment and to release the funds already earmarked so that the concept can be further developed. The meeting of the Culture Committee on December 16, 2025, offers an opportunity to do so.”

From January 1942 onwards, more than 550 Jews from Dresden and Saxony were deported from the old Leipzig railway station to Nazi extermination camps. Until recently, there was almost unanimous agreement in the Dresden City Council to further develop this authentic site as a place of remembrance, learning, and encounter. The 2025/26 budget resolution earmarked funds for further conceptual work.

Now, the financing and future of the memorial site are on hold. Due to the CDU’s blockade, there is no majority in the city council to approve the 90,000 euros earmarked for 2025. The earmarked funds for 2025 will expire, and there is no majority in sight for the 2026 funds either.

On the contrary, Mario Schmidt, the cultural policy spokesperson for the CDU city council faction, announced before the council meeting in November that his faction would not approve the project. A meeting initiated by the support group on November 11, 2025, with faction leaders Heike Ahnert and Mario Schmidt was inconclusive. The CDU faction has not yet responded to further offers from the support group to continue the talks.

At the meeting of the Advisory Board for Remembrance Culture on December 4, 2025, Mr. Schmidt once again publicly reaffirmed the CDU faction’s position by rejecting the following resolution:

“The Advisory Board expressly emphasizes the outstanding importance of a memorial site with an educational, communication, and cultural meeting place at the Old Leipzig Railway Station for Dresden, Saxony, and the nationwide culture of remembrance. The state capital of Dresden is called upon to live up to its historical responsibility and to anchor this permanently.”

André Lang (spokesperson)

FÖRDERKREISS ALTER LEIPZIGER BAHNHOF

c/o Gedenkort Alter Leipziger Bahnhof e.V.

Eisenbahnstraße 1, 01097 Dresden