A significant leadership change is anticipated within the German rail corporation, Deutsche Bahn. According to reports emerging from government sources, Evelyn Palla, the current head of DB Regio, is expected to be appointed as the new CEO of the entire organization.
While the Ministry of Transport has neither confirmed nor denied the information, the prospect has generated considerable speculation. Prior reporting from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung indicated that Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder already has a candidate in mind, stating that legal reasons may presently prevent a formal announcement.
Minister Schnieder is scheduled to unveil a new strategic direction for the state-owned enterprise on Monday and is expected to officially name the individual who will assume the leadership role. The announcement follows the recent dismissal of former CEO Richard Lutz, who was asked to remain in his position temporarily until a successor is found.
Evelyn Palla, originally from South Tyrol, joined the Deutsche Bahn group in 2019. Prior to this, she held executive positions, including a role on the board of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and experience within the energy sector at Eon. The appointment, if confirmed, would mark a new chapter for Deutsche Bahn as it navigates a period of strategic realignment.