Cabinet: A transport minister on call

No successor in the Chancellor Garden

When Merz comes to the garden of the Chancellery in the morning to make a statement, at his side are the new head of the Chancellery Nina Warken, the new Health Minister Carsten Linnemann and Philipp Amthor (all CDU), the new federal-state coordinator in the Chancellery. But one person is missing: the new transport minister. Merz only says that there will be further changes in the federal cabinet.

It is already clear that Schnieder has to go. The CDU politician himself wrote in a text message to MPs that the Chancellor had informed him late yesterday afternoon that he was dismissing him as Transport Minister. He will make this public at a press conference this morning at 9 a.m. Only: That doesn’t happen. The reason: According to Union circles, financial politician Fritz Güntzler (60) should follow Schnieder (58). Güntzler said yes to Merz, but then canceled again in the middle of the night. The reasons: unclear.

“Craftsmanship catastrophic”?

There is great excitement in political Berlin. The Green transport politician Tarek Al-Wazir, chairman of the transport committee in the Bundestag, speaks of chaos. Addressing the Chancellor, he said that this was “technically catastrophic”. There is also talk of poor implementation in Union circles. Merz laid a “real egg in the nest” for the black-red coalition “without necessity” during the Bundestag’s summer break, which has already begun.

Martin Burkert, head of the Railway and Transport Union (EVG), says: “One can only shake one’s head. Until yesterday we had a transport minister who was clearly a stranger to rail, but at least we had one. Now Patrick Schnieder is still formally in office, but has already been de facto dismissed.”

Merz dissatisfied?

Behind the scenes it is said that Merz is dissatisfied with the minister from Rhineland-Palatinate, who is considered colorless – Schnieder’s younger brother Gordon has been the state’s prime minister since May. The “Bild”, citing government circles, writes that the Chancellor was “increasingly annoyed” by the lack of progress in the Ministry of Transport. Despite his billion-dollar budget, he was unable to get to grips with the deep problems of the German infrastructure. In addition, things don’t work any better by train.

Last September, reports from the Ministry of Transport caused a stir that there could be delays in new construction and expansion projects on motorways and federal highways due to billions in gaps. The money for this does not come from the billion-dollar special fund for infrastructure – the focus there is on maintaining the railways and bridges.

Lists were circulating for federal states as to exactly which projects construction approval could not be granted – and in which constituency they were located. It wasn’t just well received by the Ministry of Finance. However, the coalition leaders then agreed on additional funds. Merz said: “Everything that is ready for construction will be built.”

Crisis at the railway

Last September, Schnieder presented a new rail strategy – under the title: “Agenda for satisfied customers on the rails”. The new railway boss Evelyn Palla, who succeeded Richard Lutz, will play a key role. But many trains continue to be late and there were delays in the renovation of heavily used routes. Schnieder himself repeatedly prepared the passengers for what would continue to be difficult years ahead. Crucial components of Schnieder’s rail strategy have not yet been implemented.

Successors also face difficult tasks

The parliamentary director of the Union faction, Steffen Bilger (CDU), is considered a possible successor candidate for Schnieder. He was formerly State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport. But Schnieder’s successor will also face major problems. The renovation of the rail network and thus improvements in punctuality are likely to take many years and possibly cost even more money. And many dilapidated bridges are at risk of short-term closures.

Al-Wazir says with a view to Merz and the Schnieder successor: “As long as the basic problem is not solved, he can appoint whoever he wants: Despite the 500 billion special fund, there is too little money for the transport infrastructure because at the same time the transport budget has been halved and the money is not being invested additionally. A new transport minister cannot change that as long as the chancellor and vice-chancellor do not correct this basic mistake.” EVG boss Burkert says: “Merz must now quickly find a strong replacement for Schnieder, otherwise the railway’s problems will now also be his responsibility.”

What reforms are still involved?

There are further unfinished tasks awaiting the new minister. On the one hand, there is a major reform of the route pricing system. Route prices, also known as rail tolls, are fees for using the rail network. The transport industry is demanding relief, and the states are demanding financial compensation for additional burdens – so that rail transport does not have to be cancelled. The new Transport Minister will also have to negotiate with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) for more money on this point. A driving license reform to make driving licenses more affordable is also not yet a done deal.