Home » News » For Helge Kaltenbach, digitization is the solution for many things – in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district

For Helge Kaltenbach, digitization is the solution for many things – in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district

FDP candidate Helge Kaltenbach from Heitersheim is running for state elections in constituency 48 of Breisgau. He wants to support more – and above all digitize.

Liberal, digital, regional – Helge Kaltenbach put these three words on his yellow Bulli. He has turned it into a voting vehicle to show himself in his constituency and to make himself better known. The Heitersheimer has only been involved politically at the regional level for two and a half years. Now he wants to move into the state parliament for the FDP.

digitalization

No matter what topic Helge Kaltenbach talks about, in the end he always ends up with the catchphrase digitization. The political scientist and Germanist, who works as an IT specialist, sees it as a great opportunity and often the solution – be it in education or in the authorities, who should function more uniformly and digitally. Bureaucratic hurdles, of which there are too many, could be removed in this way, and that would simplify things, give courage, create incentives for change, Kaltenbach believes – regardless of whether in agriculture, business or medicine. Kaltenbach believes that digital sick notes or prescriptions would be a great benefit, especially in rural areas, where you could save yourself long distances.

Overall, the Heitersheimer thinks the country is poorly positioned in terms of digitization. He sees some catching up to do with broadband expansion, for example, which should take place across the board as soon as possible.

Kaltenbach himself made use of the Internet during the election campaign. Instead of – as planned – driving his FDP-colored Bulli to events or talking to people on marketplaces, he used Facebook, Instagram, video conferences and the like to draw attention to himself. But he admits: “It’s hard to get in touch with people.” You are currently not so open to non-corona issues. But he “wants to be perceived as a type of person”. And move something at the state level – for him that is the perfect intermediate level between local and major federal politics.

Name: Helge Kaltenbach
Alter: 35 years old
Learned occupation: Political scientist and Germanist
Marital status: free
Children: two
Honorary positions: Chairman of the FDP Mittleres Markgräflerland

Economy and education

“Our constituency is wonderful,” says Kaltenbach. Yes, every politician says that, but “it’s true with me”. The landscape, the gastronomy together with the viticulture and tourism made the perfect mix, says Kaltenbach. And he wants to maintain this attractiveness and strengthen it even more – in the hope that the region will get through the Corona crisis unscathed.

“Small and very small businesses are the heart and backbone of our society.”

He observes how difficult it is currently for small and very small businesses. And they are “the heart and backbone of our economy and society”. It is therefore essential to strengthen it, says Kaltenbach. The relief in terms of bureaucracy helps them the most – “also regardless of Corona”.

Kaltenbach sees the basis for good education in a sufficient internet connection of schools, the supply of schools and pupils with end devices, standardized programs such as learning platforms and appropriately trained teachers. He also wants to ensure that families with little education are better supported: on the one hand financially, so that parents have more time for their children, on the other hand through more childcare offers.

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Climate protection

Sustainability has to be more firmly anchored in people’s minds, says Kaltenbach. How can that happen? With education for the youngest and by creating incentives – with more funding, advice and bonuses. “Small businesses do not have a separate sustainability department – they need support and information on how to work more sustainably.” Conversion bonuses could motivate companies to think more about sustainability.

“I love my bike myself, but also my old Bulli.”

And what does a van driver say about bicycles as an environmentally friendly means of transport? The bicycle is the most beautiful means of transport there is, says Kaltenbach. He likes to go to Freiburg or through the woods on a mountain bike. But he also admits: When the family goes to Freiburg to go shopping, it becomes difficult by bike and also by public transport. Then the car has to be used, says Kaltenbach. “I love my bike myself, but also my old Bulli,” he says. It is important to create incentives to use the bike more, for example by designating bike paths. “I find it difficult to forbid something.” Because bans could divide people, says Kaltenbach, and sustainability can only be achieved together.

This is how he sees it when it comes to wind power: Citizens have to be brought on board, municipalities benefit from it. “I have problems with wind power only being of use to one company.” He advocates wind power – if distances to settlements, volume and wind direction are taken into account.

Agriculture

“Farmers have a hard time,” says Kaltenbach. In his ideal, agriculture would be more sustainable, but “without putting the producer in a precarious position”. The Heitersheimer sees the way there less in specifications and requirements – they would rather be a deterrent. Rather, you have to support farmers.

Kaltenbach believes that if a young farmer wants to switch to more sustainable working methods, he has to receive a bonus and be motivated in this way. Otherwise too many will give up, he fears. But here, too, he sees the whole of society being forced to act: people have to rethink and buy more locally – creating this awareness is an educational task even with the youngest.

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