The taxpayer threatened by the toll debacle hundreds of millions of euros in compensation payments. According to a report commissioned by the FDP parliamentary group, the Ministry of Transport, led by Andreas Scheuer, could be complicit in this.
In view of the many unanswered questions, the Liberals now want to apply for a committee of inquiry in the Bundestag. This sharp sword was necessary to get complete transparency, said FDP traffic expert Oliver Luksic. One is also talking to leftists and Greens. This will revive a Greens and the Left already pronounced threats weeks ago.
They had threatened with a committee of inquiry, Scheuer should not disclose the contracts with the two operating companies. Finally, the CSU politician came after the. But that's not enough for the FDP. Scheuer had the opportunity to clarify, "but it has always asked new questions," said Luksic now. Scheuer took considerable risks with the contracts.
The dismissal consequences enshrined in a judicial stop in the contract for the toll collection are to be regarded as "unusually disadvantageous for Germany as principal", it is said in the report of the law firm Chatham Partners. Precisely because of the uncertain outcome of the proceedings and numerous warning voices, however, "there was a special need for a regulation protecting the client and thus taxpayers".
Green politician: scouring resignation or U committee
Scheuer is under pressure because he had concluded the toll collection and control contracts with Kapsch and CTS Eventim in 2018 before final legal certainty existed. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) had declared the toll illegal in mid-June, immediately after the verdict, the federal government announced the contracts. This could now result in financial demands of the companies, and the federal government is examining its own claims.
The Greens see only two solutions: "If the Minister of Transport does not resign due to the many lapses in the car toll, there will have to be a parliamentary committee of inquiry," said Group Vice Oliver Krischer. Many questions are unclear, and he currently sees no sense of wrongdoing in the ministry and the federal government as a whole. An impending damage would simply be ignored.
FDP parliamentary vice Frank Sitta criticized Scheuer had proceeded with criminal carelessness. The agreed clauses have caused a waste of tax money. FDP traffic expert Luksic said the contracts should never have been signed. "These serious and expensive aberrations must be worked on by a parliamentary committee of inquiry."
The ministry had mentioned as reasons for the dismissal not only the ECJ judgment - but also shortcomings in the performance of the contractors and their behavior after the termination. Scheuer had also defended the conclusion of the contract even before a verdict.
After the decision of the Bundestag on the toll he had the task to advance the project. The EU Commission has given the green light. Waiting would have meant that the federal government could have avoided revenue.
