The planned acceleration of infrastructure development appears to be causing friction between Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) and Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD). According to a report from the Ministry of Transport referenced by “Spiegel”, the two ministers are essentially “opponents by designation” due to their respective roles. The Infrastructure Future Act is designed to significantly speed up procedures for major projects by establishing a “supreme public interest” for them. The Transport Ministry plans to submit this bill to the Federal Council before the summer recess.
However, Minister Schneider intends to introduce his own legislation that would also allow for the declaration of a supreme public interest regarding natural areas. Sources within the Transport Ministry suspect that Schneider is attempting to introduce “brakes” into the Infrastructure Future Act. This is because, according to these sources, a supreme public interest cannot simultaneously apply to diverse objectives.
A conflict is strongly anticipated between the two legislative efforts, stemming from the environmental ministry’s insistence that no power grid line should be routed through a national park. Nevertheless, resistance continues from the CDU party. Currently, concerns regarding the new infrastructure law remain significant.
