Motorways
Explanation of Klingbeil: Union intensifies dispute over road construction
The Union is upset by the lack of billions for motorways and federal roads – and demands changes. For the Chancellor, the topic becomes uncomfortable in its own ranks.
The Union faction in the Bundestag plans to spend significantly more money on motorways and federal roads in the next few years – And thus escalates the conflict with Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil (SPD). It is “not acceptable” that Klingbeil was not willing to provide additional funds for the motorway infrastructure, said the CDU member of the Bundestag Christian von Stetten star.
The chairman of the Economic Committee asked for corresponding corrections to the budget design for 2026, which will be discussed in the Bundestag from this week. The budget is proposed by the Federal Minister of Finance, “but decided by the parliamentarians,” said von Stetten.
The MP reminded the coalition partner of the development of the special fund of 500 billion euros. “When it was necessary to loosen the debt brake to ensure the defense capability of our country, the SPD put us under pressure with the demand for further billions in debt for the infrastructure of Germany”. This is also why Klingbeil, as SPD chairman, cannot now refuse the necessary funds.
Cars: Criticism also by CDU man Ploß
“It is not to be conveyed to anyone that important motorway projects should be canceled, although some of them even have a series,” said Christoph Ploß, Member of the Bundestag, too star. In the decision of the special fund, it should be stated that the funds should also go into the infrastructure.
The topic is to be discussed this Monday evening at the Union Group meeting. Previously, CDU transport minister Patrick Schnieder had a deficit of 15 billion euros for Motorways and federal roads complained. Without these money, numerous projects for which building law was expected by 2029 could not be granted approval, he told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Klingbeil rejected the claim in a letter to the “Dear colleague”. In the letter that star He calculated that 166 billion euros were planned for traffic investments during this election period. In 2025 alone, 33.4 billion euros would be available, seven billion euros more than last year.
Klingbeil also pointed out that Schnieder in the cabinet had approved the budget draft and the financial plan until 2029. He also expects a report on how quickly the money already approved.
Up to 74 motorways affected
According to a government -internal list 74 New or expansion projects of motorways and 99 construction projects of federal roads. The A20 in Northern Germany, the A1 in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, the A39 in Lower Saxony and the A44 in Hesse would be affected in particular. The Union now wants to exaggerate the conflict.
“As a member of the Bundestag, I feel committed to this promise with a full conviction,” said Ploß, who is a member of the transport committee. “The current planning urgently needs to be corrected parliamentally.”
The federal government, Gitta Connemann, also increased the pressure on Klingbeil. “The upswing drives on the street,” said the CDU member of the Bundestag star. Medium -sized companies are dependent on freight transport, especially in rural areas. “Our businesses count that we not only renovate the infrastructure, but also to build and build new,” said Connemann, who also (with) served as chair of the influential medium-sized and business union.
Source: Stern
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