Germany’s Left Party is proposing the nationalization of motorway toilet facilities, arguing that current fees charged to drivers are exploitative and inconvenient. A policy paper released by the party’s federal executive board and reported on by Stern magazine, highlights the common practice of charging at least one euro per toilet visit at most service areas along German autobahns. The party contends this represents an unfair financial burden on travelers.
The proposal calls for free access to motorway toilets, potentially with a nominal “token fee” – described as a symbolic contribution – but explicitly rejecting any mandatory purchase requirements.
Central to the Left Party’s argument is the assertion that the 1998 privatization of service areas has proven detrimental. They claim that financial investors have benefitted disproportionately, extracting “extreme profits” from the current system. The proposal outlines a plan to either gradually re-nationalize the primary motorway service operator, Tank und Rast, or bring it under public control.
Funding for this re-nationalization is proposed to come from Germany’s special infrastructure fund. In addition to free access, the Left Party is also advocating for improved working conditions for cleaning staff at service areas and greater transparency regarding revenue generated from toilet facilities.
Janis Ehling, federal managing director of the Left Party, stated that travel should not be considered a luxury – nor should using a toilet. The party advocates for a fair, socially responsible and clean infrastructure for all travelers, calling for an end to the current “Sanifair” system and a return to public oversight.
