The German rail and transport union, EVG, has announced its intention to vote against the nomination of Evelyn Palla as the new CEO of Deutsche Bahn. EVG President Martin Burkert made the announcement in Berlin on Monday.
Palla was recently presented as the preferred candidate for the top position by Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, who described her appointment as heralding a “fresh start” for the national rail operator. Schnieder emphasized the need for change across various aspects of the organization. He asserted that Palla emerged as the leading candidate during the selection process, citing her successful management of the regional rail division since 2022 as proof of her ability to prioritize customer satisfaction.
Newly appointed CEO Palla has stated that quality will be a top priority, declaring passenger satisfaction as paramount. She affirmed the need for a new corporate culture within Deutsche Bahn, emphasizing that the railway’s core infrastructure remains fundamental to its success and that its ongoing remediation is of utmost importance.
Palla, originally from South Tyrol, joined Deutsche Bahn in 2019. Prior to her current role, she held positions within the management board of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and at energy company Eon.