Ines Schwerdtner, the leader of The Left party, criticized the limited impact of the special infrastructure fund. Speaking to RTL and ntv, she argued that the allocated money is failing to reach local governments and the general public effectively.
According to Schwerdtner, the funds are not being used for additional new investments, but rather for maintaining already planned projects. She stated that the special reserve, which was heavily promoted as a massive investment package, is essentially being utilized just to keep the railways and other essential services functioning, amounting only to maintenance rather than a genuine investment boom.
The party politician stressed the need for greater investment not only in infrastructure but also in schools, noting that local authorities desperately need additional funding. To address this, she proposed reforming the debt brake. She insisted that the government must provide local communities with a long-term, sustainable assurance of investment over the next decade. While the spending might not be faster, she argued it would become more planned and sustainable. Schwerdtner also cautioned against a reactive approach to urban development and infrastructure, stating that authorities cannot simply “throw money at hot stones” and hope for the best.
Furthermore, Schwerdtner advocated for increased taxation on “super-rich” individuals and high fortunes to make a clear point. She concluded: “Local and regional governments need this money for our schools, for our kindergartens, and for buses and trains; we require more investment. This special fund simply isn’t enough”.
