Martin Herrenknecht calls for German infrastructure acceleration

Entrepreneur Martin Herrenknecht has voiced support for the replacement of the German Transport Minister, labeling former minister Patrik Schnieder a "too weak appointment" for such a critical ministry. Herrenknecht argues that despite available funds through special assets, progress on essential infrastructure projects remains insufficient.

Addressing the new Transport Minister, Steffen Bilger, Herrenknecht urged him to provide "full backing" to railway chief Evelyn Palla to address the massive tasks ahead. He suggested prioritizing bypasses and parallel high-speed lines to alleviate rail congestion. To accelerate project implementation and resolve backlogs, Herrenknecht recommended stimulating privately co-financed projects.

Furthermore, Herrenknecht expressed support for a 2036 Olympic bid, suggesting the event could provide the necessary impulse to fast-track infrastructure. He criticized the current state of large-scale projects, such as the connection to the Brenner Tunnel in Bavaria, stating that long-term delays cause Germany to breach state contracts, damage its international reputation, and hinder its own economy. He summarized the situation by stating, "Germany is planning itself to death."