The Greens have put forward a proposal for a long-distance rail guarantee to connect more cities to train services. However, the plan is unrealistic, as the rail network would need to be significantly expanded. Nevertheless, the initiative could send an important signal.
The party narrowly missed out on joining the government in the last federal election and has since largely disappeared from political perception. It lacks charismatic leadership and compelling ideas to position itself between statesmanlike cooperation and publicity-seeking confrontation. All the more sensible it seems to dive into substantive work.
Transport Policy as an Opportunity
Transport policy in particular lends itself to this: under the black-red coalition, it is being neglected, while Deutsche Bahn increasingly presents a picture of disaster. The Greens see too many German cities cut off from rail services and want to get more people onto trains. But that will take time.
The idea of a long-distance guarantee at a bargain price fills a vacuum. To offer new connections to smaller cities, the network would need to be considerably expanded – a costly and lengthy undertaking.
A Proposal with Symbolic Power
Nevertheless, it could bring movement to an important issue. The opposition is currently benefiting from the squabbles of the governing parties, with eyes almost reflexively turning to the AfD. But parliament has more to offer – the Greens are now trying to make a comeback with concrete proposals.
.
Source: www.faz.net
