As of: February 3, 2024, 5:00 a.m
By: Bona Hyun
Comments
Press
Split
The conflict regarding Tyrol's anti-transit policy is coming to a head.
In the dispute over the Brenner route, Italy is taking drastic measures.
Tyrol - It is a bone of contention between Austria and its neighbors Germany and Italy: The discussion about the Tyrolean anti-transit measures on the Brenner route such as sectoral driving bans, night driving bans or block handling has been simmering for years.
Italy's Transport Minister Matteo Salvini is now trying to exert his power again.
Ongoing dispute over Tyrolean anti-transit measures: Italy is suing Austria
Salvini (Liga party) recently confirmed at the “Europe and the Alps” conference in the European Parliament in Strasbourg that he would submit the already decided lawsuit against Austria to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) because of the Tyrolean anti-transit measures of the European Commission.
This should happen “in the next few days,” Salvini is quoted by rainews
, among others
.
Dispute over the Brenner route: Italy is threatening Austria with a lawsuit because of the anti-transit measures.
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
In the next few days, first the European Commission and then the European Court of Justice would deal with the question raised by the Italian government “after so many years of silence” about the legality of the restrictions imposed by Austria on the Brenner Pass.
“We have tried bilateral and multilateral talks, but when you realize that there is no great desire on the other side to solve the problem, then there is little you can do,” Salvini said on Wednesday (January 31).
Italy is suing Austria – Tyrol wants to stick to anti-transit measures on the Brenner route
In October 2023, the Italian government decided on Italy's lawsuit against Austria before the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which had already been announced several times, because of the North Tyrolean anti-transit measures.
According to Salvini, it is a “difficult but compelling decision given the position of the EU Commission and the impossibility of reaching a negotiated solution.”
The dispute is about the discussion of Tyrolean anti-transit measures on the Brenner route such as sectoral driving bans, night driving bans or block handling.
The Tyrolean state government, with the support of Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), had repeatedly made it clear that it wanted to stick to the anti-transit measures and not move away from regulating heavy traffic as long as there was no major European solution.
Tyrolean anti-transit measures on the Brenner route – implications for Germany
Since 2017, Tyrol has been slowing down the truck convoys, especially on Mondays with block handling in Kufstein and on the Brenner border between Italy and Tyrol.
Only a small number of trucks are allowed through at any given time.
The goal: low traffic congestion in Tyrol.
But that means long traffic jams before the border.
Sometimes the truck queue stretches back to Holzkirchen.
In Italy there were already 100 kilometers of traffic jams.
My news
Pension, rent and climate money: This is what the traffic light coalition is planning for 2024read
Restrictions on pensions at 63: “Deduction-free pension” only for one group
Low-income pensioners: More pensions for a group in old age
After criticism of citizens' money: Salvation's “job turbo” for Ukrainians is apparently not working read
Unfair burden on pensioners: When health insurance contributions are doubled, Ampel just looks on
Out for the Munich branch – SportScheck has to closeread
Truck traffic via the Brenner route has increased significantly in recent decades.
According to Tyrolean Prime Minister Anton Mattle, the number of trucks rose from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.5 million in 2022. This is reported by
Bayerischer Rundfunk
.
The Brenner therefore accounted for 40 percent of all Alpine freight transport.
The important north-south route across the Alps is economically important for Italy, just as it is for Germany.
Brenner dispute escalates: Bavaria wants slot system for trucks
Bavaria's Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) also wants to introduce a slot system for truck traffic across the Brenner.
Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) presented the idea in April 2023 at a meeting in Kufstein with his counterparts Arno Kompatscher (South Tyrol) and Anton Mattle (Tyrol).
Truck drivers should book a time slot digitally in order to have free travel to the Brenner Pass.
The idea also appears in the new freight transport concept for Bavaria.
A detailed concept is to be presented next spring, and it will “eventually” be implemented from 2025.
The problem, however, is that Bavaria, Tyrol and South Tyrol cannot introduce the slot system on their own.
Given Italy's decision to file a lawsuit, it will likely be difficult to obtain approval.
(bohy)