As the prospect of a potential loss of up to €620 million in state aid for the insolvent battery manufacturer Northvolt looms, the Federation of Taxpayers (Bund der Steuerzahler, or BdSt) is urging the introduction of stricter liability rules for federal politicians.
According to the head of the organization, Reiner Holznagel, if ministers are responsible for causing billion-euro losses through faulty decisions, the consequences should not be ignored. “Who takes on the risk of billions of euros in state aid must also be held accountable for the responsibility that comes with it” he said in an interview with the German newspaper Bild.
Holznagel is calling on the German parliament to take action, emphasizing that the current law lacks clear liability provisions for ministers. He cites the Bavarian Ministerial Act as an example, which clearly regulates the duties and liabilities of ministers. “The Bundestag must urgently close this regulatory gap – in the interest of taxpayers” the BdSt president said.