Autobahnen und Bahn – immer wieder wird diskutiert, warum Deutschland so große Probleme hat. Dabei wird nicht genau genug berücksichtigt, wo die tieferen Ursachen liegen: in der Art und Weise, wie in Deutschland geplant wird. Gibt es neue Wege nach der Wahl in vier Wochen? H+K Strategies versucht den Ausblick – im dritten Teil der Reihe zur Bundestagswahl.

1.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Comparison of the election
programs for the general
election 2017
Infrastructure
August 2017
CDU/CSU, SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, DIE LINKE und FDP

2.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies2
IN BRIEF
On September 24, German citizens will be
summoned to the ballots to elect a new
federal parliament. The next government
coalition is still up for debate but will most
certainly be led by Angela Merkel‘s CDU
(favored by about 40% of the voters). The
new coalition will determine Germany‘s
policy agenda in the years to come – also
with regard to infrastructure issues.
This document contrasts the infrastructure
policy demands of the most relevant
parties – CDU/CSU, SPD, FDP, the
Green and the Left Party – as stated in
their election programs. It goes on to
illustrate current election polls and sheds
light on possible coalition outcomes and
their potential impact on the policy sector.
Infrastructure in the general election 2017

3.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies3
THE MAIN CATEGORIES FOR A COMPARISON OF THE
PARTIES
FEDERAL
TRANSPORT
PLAN 2030
FEDERAL
PLANNING
PROCEDURE
v
PUBLIC
TRANSPORT
AUTOMOBILE
TRAFFIC
INNOVATION

4.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies4
Infrastructure program of CDU/CSU
 FEDERAL TRANSPORT PLAN: To continue investments according to
the existing Federal Transport Plan 2030. Focus of the plan is on
automobile and railway transport. No mention of public-private
partnerships.
 FEDERAL PLANNING PROCEDURE: To pass the Accelerated Infrastructure Planning Act
in order to ease planning and implementation of infrastructure projects as well as allocation
of federal subsidies. Aims to fast-track “projects of special importance“.
 PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Strengthens freight traffic by subsidizing railway transport and
modernizing the railway system. No mention of separation of transmission and operating
companies.
 AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC: In opposition to legal speed limit. No mention of general toll.
 INNOVATION: Digitalization of the public transport sector, f.ex. by proposing one public
transport sector/ticket – Germany-wide. Integration of traffic associations across Germany.

5.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies5
INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM OF SPD
ÜBERBLICK
 FEDERAL TRANSPORT PLAN: Plans to increase investments in federal
infrastructure for new projects as well as maintenance. No privatization of
transport infrastructure, strict criteria for public-private partnerships.
 FEDERAL PLANNING PROCEDURE: Debureaucratisation and acceleration
of procedure.
 PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Supports an increase in railway transport by decreasing railway tolls and
establishing inland shipping as alternative to trucks. Public transport to be integrated across the
country. No mention of separation of transmission and operating companies.
 AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC: No mention of legal speed limit. No plans to introduce general toll for all
automobiles but expansion of toll for trucks (7,5t).
 INNOVATION: Greater investments for bicycle infrastructure. Plans to boost e-mobility and generally
digitalization of transport f. ex. by supporting autonomous driving and introducing a digital platform
for public transport Germany-wide. Supports broadband expansion along central transport routes.

6.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies6
INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM OF DIE LINKE
ÜBERBLICK
 FEDERAL TRANSPORT PLAN: Opposes the plan in its current form, the
new plan is to put railway and public transport front and center. Focus on
maintenance rather than support of new projects. Opposes any privatization
of federal infrastructure and public-private partnerships.
 FEDERAL PLANNING PROCEDURE: Proposes to democratize procedure
by involving citizen‘s councils. In opposition to projects such as Stuttgart 21,
Fehmarnbelt-Tunnel and the second metrorail line in Munich.
 PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The transport policy program heavily focuses on affordability of public
transport by granting greater government subsidies, f.ex. by reducing ticket prices. It is in favor of
renationalizing transport infrastructure and operating companies such as Deutsche Bahn AG.
 AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC: In favor of legal speedlimit. No plans to introduce general toll for
automobiles and plans to abolish the road toll introduced by the current government.
 INNOVATION: Plans to improve bicycle infrastructure. Supports the switch to more environmentally
friendly fuels for sea and inland shipping. Digitalization to be guided by civic participation.

7.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies7
INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM OF DIE GRÜNE
ÜBERBLICK
 FEDERAL TRANSPORT PLAN: Aims to replace the current Federal
Transport Plan with a Federal Network Plan in order to shift focus on
integration of different modes of transport. Opposes any privatization of
federal infrastructure and public-private partnerships.
FEDERAL PLANNING PROCEDURE: No remarks.
 PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Programs focuses heavily on sustainability of transport by increasing
investments into public transport and bicycle infrastructure (up to 1 billion €). Supports separation of
infrastructure networks and operating companies.
 AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC: In favor of maintenance instead construction: fewer investments into new
automobile infrastructure. In favor of legal speed limit. Plans to abolish the road toll introduced by the
current government but increase toll for trucks (3,5t).
 INNOVATION: Aims to make use of digitalization in order to switch to greener mobility, f.ex. by
passing a National Bicycle Transport Plan and increasing investments. Plans to integrate and
digitalize the German transport network – one ticket and transport system for all transport needs
Germany-wide. Supports the switch to environmentally friendly alternatives and fuels.

8.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies8
INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM OF FDP
ÜBERBLICK
 FEDERAL TRANSPORT PLAN: Proposes to significantly increase
federal investments into new infrastructure. Simultaneously aims to
further increase federal investments for maintenance of infrastructure
by creating a new federal funds (2 billion €/year). In support of public-
private partnerships for infrastructure projects.
 FEDERAL PLANNING PROCEDURE: Aims to optimize and streamline planning
procedures.
 PUBLIC TRANSPORT: In favor of fully privatizing operating companies such as Deutsche
Bahn AG. Supports separation of infrastructure networks and operating companies.
 AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC: In opposition to legal speed limit and toll for vehicles.
 INNOVATION: Program focuses heavily on the digitalization of transport. It aims to boost
digitalization of transport: In support of autonomous driving and machine-controlled
transport.

9.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies9
SYNOPSIS
ÜBERBLICK
SIMPLIFICATION
CDU, SPD and FDP plan on accelerating and simplifying the current federal planning
procedure. The Left wants to democratize the process.
INCREASE SPENDING
With the exception of the CDU/CSU (who has not clearly supported an increase in
spending) all parties propose greater investments into infrastructure projects and
maintenance, but differ in their allocation of funds. SPD, the Left and the Greens focus on
public transport and bicycle infrastructure. CDU and FDP on automobile and railways.
RIDING THE DIGITAL WAVE
Virtually all parties agree on further digitalizing the public transport sector. SPD, CDU and
the Greens propose a national public transport ticket. SPD, FDP and in parts even the
Greens support intelligent traffic control and autonomous driving efforts

10.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies10
CURRENT POLLS

11.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies11
CURRENT POLLS
ÜBERBLICK
37
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Greens
AFD
FDP
Left
SPD
CDU/CSU
Current Polls 27/07- 27/08
37 – 41%
21 – 25%
8 – 10%
7 – 10%
7 – 10%
6 – 9%
*
*Source: Forsa, Infratest Dimap, TNS Emnid, Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, Allensbach, GMS, INSA

12.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies12
POSSIBLE COALITIONS

13.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies13
POSSIBLE COALITIONS
ÜBERBLICK

14.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies14
POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF
COALITION TALKS

15.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies15
POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF COALITION TALKS
ÜBERBLICK
1. CDU/CSU + SPD
The „grand“ coalition has been the constellation of two recent legislative periods (2005–2009 and 2013-2017). This
coalition might not face as many obstacles in coalition talks as other constellations. Nevertheless, there are tangible
differences in both parties’ programs: SPD heavily focuses on greater investments for the sector in contrast to CDU,
who rather concentrates on improving procedures. Both have proposed a single public transport ticket Germany-wide.
All in all, this option might impede greater reforms and lead to more “business as usual” in the infrastructure sector.
2. CDU/CSU + FDP
A coalition between CDU/CSU and FDP would most likely lead to an accelerated and simplified federal planning
procedure. This cooperation could face more difficult tasks, when it comes to the financing of infrastructure projects and
spending. Both parties generally agree with regard to the automobile sector, the FDP, however, has proposed a more
ambitious program in terms of digitalization of transport.
3. CDU/CSU + FDP + DIE GRÜNEN
Coalition talks between CDU/CSU, the Greens and FDP, might turn out the be the most challenging, also in regard to
infrastructure issues. The Greens are known to use the current federal planning procedure to foster their cause,
whereas CDU/CSU and FDP aim to streamline the procedure in favor of projects and their operating companies. FDP
and Greens, however, agree on a swift digitalization of transport – albeit for different reasons.
4. CDU/CSU + DIE GRÜNEN
A coalition of the CDU/CSU and the Greens is among the less likely options and would potentially see great friction over
infrastructure and related environmental topics. The Greens focus heavily on public transport and new modes of
transportation, whereas CDU/CSU won’t let go of the automotive sector. Both, however, have proposed a Gemany-wide
ticket for public transport. Similarly, friction concerning any changes of the current federal planning procedure can be
expected.

16.  © Hill+Knowlton Strategies16
HILL+KNOWLTON STRATEGIES
berlin@hkstrategies.com
+49 30 288758 0
www.hkstrategies.de