The Next Federal Minister of Transportation is Likely to Come from a Different Party. According to Bavaria’s Transportation Minister Christian Bernreiter, the Christian Social Union (CSU) will not be represented in the federal cabinet in this role. Bernreiter, a CSU politician, has been the chairman of the Federal States’ Ministers’ Conference (VMK) since January 1, 2025, and will coordinate transportation policy with the federal states over the next two years.
Bernreiter’s priorities for the next two years include securing reliable funding for infrastructure through an infrastructure fund and attracting private capital. He also plans to focus on increasing regional funding for the states, stating that the current allocation is insufficient and that he will fight for more money. The states are responsible for the development of the rail network in Germany.
Regarding the Germany Ticket, Bernreiter is skeptical, suggesting that the federal government should take full responsibility for its financing if they want to continue the program. Currently, the federal government and the states each provide 1.5 billion euros in subsidies. In contrast, the CDU’s chancellor candidate, Friedrich Merz, advocates for a joint financing of the ticket by the federal government and the states.
In the context of the upcoming coalition negotiations, Bernreiter remained open to finding a solution, stating that he is not fundamentally against the ticket, but sees numerous design flaws and a lack of a fundamental decision on the ticket’s purpose, such as “free rides for all or a functioning infrastructure.