The service union Verdi has voiced strong opposition to the proposed financial restructuring plans of the federal Autobahn GmbH. On Monday, the union warned that these measures constitute a “privatization through the backdoor.”
Under the current plans, investments in Germany’s highway network would increasingly rely on private creditors rather than being funded exclusively through the federal budget. Furthermore, the draft legislation does not include state guarantees for these new loans, a condition that could lead to significantly higher interest costs.
Christine Behle, the vice-chairwoman of Verdi, argued that this shift equates to a backdoor privatization. She indicated that forcing the Autobahn GmbH to borrow on the capital market without state backing could result in cuts to personnel and materials.
Behle urged the governing coalition to halt the plans and guarantee adequate financial support from the federal government. She emphasized that “the highways are essential public infrastructure that serves the common good. They must not become a speculative object for profit seekers.”
