Frustration among eastern German states over transport links to their eastern neighbors is growing. Saxony’s Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) told the German Press Agency that rail connections to Poland and the Czech Republic lag “absolutely behind” those to France and Western Europe. That “nothing is happening” and everything is moving “so slowly” is a “really big disappointment.” Brandenburg’s Dietmar Woidke (SPD) also vented his anger: at a meeting of eastern state premiers at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) last Thursday, he called for an open discussion about “disadvantage and protectionism.”
Woidke pointed to the RB 26 Ostbahn line, which is not electrified on the German side and is single-track in sections – even though a new Oder bridge opened two years ago. He said it is “embarrassing” that Poland regularly reproaches Germany for failing to keep up with expansion. Kretschmer added that at every meeting with Polish or Czech partners, it becomes clear that “you can’t really rely on German promises for infrastructure expansion anymore.” The coalition agreement between the Union and SPD stipulates that key routes to Poland and the Czech Republic are to be expanded quickly.
The Federal Ministry of Transport under Patrick Schnieder (CDU) rejected the accusations. A spokesman pointed to projects such as the Dresden–Prague line and the Central Germany connection from North Rhine-Westphalia to Saxony, but also acknowledged a lack of funds for new construction and expansion. From the federal government’s billion-euro special fund, “only” the renovation of existing tracks and bridges can be financed. “Generally, there is no preferential or disadvantageous treatment of individual states or regions,” the spokesman said. Woidke dismissed this argument and referred to the federal government’s overall package.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
