According to the Union, the proceeds from the sale of Deutsche Bahn’s logistics subsidiary, DB Schenker, must be invested entirely in rail infrastructure.
“The DB must not under any circumstances use the 14 billion euros to improve its overdrawn accounts, but must invest the money entirely in rail infrastructure,” said parliamentary group vice-chair Ulrich Lange (CSU) in the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition). “That’s where it belongs.”
Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) and the traffic light coalition now have the opportunity to “stop their dubious rail financing through loans and equity increases in the 2025 budget,” added the transport expert. It is also important “that the many employees are given a reliable perspective and do not have to fear for their existence.”
Lange went on to say that the Union was fundamentally against the sale. “The strategic advantage of having such a large logistics company in state hands is not something you simply give up just because you are keen on money like the traffic light coalition.” The crises of the past few years have taught us that, said Lange.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Bundestag’s Transport Committee, Udo Schiefner (SPD), complained about the lack of involvement of parliament in the possible sale of the Deutsche Bahn subsidiary. “The news about the possible sale of Schenker to the Danish group DSV comes as a surprise,” Schiefner told the “Rheinische Post”. Deutsche Bahn should have informed parliament better in advance about the status of the negotiations, even if the MPs do not have to formally approve the sale.
“The people at Schenker are very and justifiably worried about their future. As chairman of the transport committee, I take this very seriously and see a lot of open questions that are relevant to the sale,” said Schiefner. “There could have been more discussions between Deutsche Bahn and parliament about this without the company having to reveal trade secrets. That would have been an appropriate way of dealing with the budget legislator,” criticized Schiefner. “I expect that there will be detailed information on this for us parliamentarians. Such an important process as the Schenker sale is only possible with broad acceptance and transparency,” warned the SPD politician.
In the bidding war for Schenker, the Danish company DSV A/S is said to be ahead. Schenker is one of the leading logistics service providers worldwide. The company is the profit maker in the group.
Sender: dts news agency | Image: Deutsche Bahn AG / Volker Emersleben (symbol image) | 12.09.2024 12:35
