Bundestag: Geplante Reform für Finanzierung der Autobahn GmbH umstritten

The German Bundestag is debating a proposed reform to the financing of the federal Autobahn company (Autobahn GmbH), with the plan raising concerns among opposition parties. Bundesverkehrsminister Steffen Bilger believes a reform could provide significant opportunities for long-term Autobahn financing in Germany, emphasizing the need for reliable planning, funding, and implementation of projects.

Under the proposed reform, the Autobahn GmbH would be allowed to take out loans from 2027 and generate revenue from truck tolls from 2028. The new financing structure would consist of three pillars: budgetary funds, user financing, and private capital. The Autobahn is expected to become "limited creditworthy," meaning it would be able to take out loans and issue bonds starting from 2027.

The Bundestag is considering the first legislation on this reform, which would provide around €10.3 billion for the Autobahn GmbH in the 2027 budget.

The opposition, however, is largely critical of the proposal. AfD member Stefan Henze warns of shifting debt and risks to a state-owned company without any upper limit on the Autobahn GmbH's debt. The Left party's Jorrit Bosch calls the plans expensive and risky, arguing that private financing does not make infrastructure cheaper, but rather more expensive.

He also questions the basis for the government's belief that no other lender can provide cheaper funds than the Bund. Furthermore, the Bundesrechnungshof has expressed concerns over the plans, stating that they do not address the debt sustainability of the Autobahn GmbH or its expected debt levels over time.

The Bundesrechnungshof report highlights that the Autobahn GmbH could be left with limited financial flexibility due to interest payments and debt repayments, particularly in the long term. While the reform might provide additional resources for traffic investments in the short to medium term, it is unclear how significantly credit-financed investments would increase the Autobahn GmbH's revenue potential. Key questions remain about parliamentary control and the overall decision-making readiness of the proposed legislation.