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Berlin, October 17 – The Left Party’s parliamentary group leader, Heidi Reichinnek, has sharply criticized the federal government’s plans to reduce funding for electric buses from next year onwards. Reichinnek, speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” (Saturday edition), emphasized the need for better bus connections and new orders for German car manufacturers.
Government’s Plans and Reichinnek’s Response
“People need better bus connections, and car factories need orders,” Reichinnek stated. She labeled the decision by Friedrich Merz and Lars Klingbeil to cut e-bus funding as “absolute madness” given the current economic climate.
Reichinnek accused the government of “economic aimlessness.” She argued that a well-thought-out strategy could achieve two goals simultaneously: providing good and fast e-buses in rural areas and securing thousands of industrial jobs.
Demand for 10,000 E-Buses and Criticism of Osnabrück Plant Conversion
The politician is therefore demanding a purchase guarantee for 10,000 new e-buses by 2030. She cited the example of the VW plant in Osnabrück, where the last cars are scheduled to roll off the production line next year, after which the site is to be used for the manufacture of air defense systems. Reichinnek strongly opposes this shift, advocating instead for the production of climate-friendly buses. “We want buses, not weapons,” she declared.
Funding Cuts Detailed
Currently, the black-red coalition subsidizes the electrification of public bus transport with 403 million euros. However, according to the draft budget for 2027, this funding is set to decrease to 130 million euros from next year.
Impact on Public Transport and Industry
The proposed cuts have raised concerns about the future of electric mobility in public transport and the potential impact on industrial employment. Critics argue that reducing investment in e-buses contradicts climate goals and undermines efforts to modernize public transportation infrastructure.
Reichinnek’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
Reichinnek’s call for a robust e-bus strategy underscores a broader debate about Germany’s industrial policy and its commitment to sustainable development. Her proposals aim to align economic stimulus with environmental protection, ensuring that public funds support green technologies and job creation in the automotive sector.
The Left Party’s stance highlights the tension between fiscal austerity and long-term strategic investments in critical sectors. The debate over e-bus funding is expected to continue as the federal government finalizes its budget plans for the coming years.
Source: https://www.berlinstory.de/news/linke-kritisiert-kuerzung-von-e-bus-foerderung/
