The financial distress of German municipalities is closely linked to the upcoming federal elections. But it is not primarily a question of money. Rather, the central level should more often take responsibility for its own tasks instead of passing them on to the municipalities. In conversation with WDR, Michael Thöne stresses the need for structural reforms of social services with a view to municipalities. Municipalities must be able to focus more on their often neglected obligations in providing core local services. And the governance of an effective and efficient social policy cannot be reduced to the distant delegation of tasks without functioning connectivity. Modernising government also requires a continued development of the federal division of public tasks.