FDP car paper to raise mood against Greens
The FDP is writing papers again - this time for more cars in the city center. Besides car drivers, the Liberals also have their coalition partner in their sights. Initiatives such as parking easements, fewer bike lanes, and a commitment to motorsports are explicitly aimed against the coalition partner.
The FDP wants to make driving in city centers attractive again. On Monday, the party leadership plans to adopt a pro-car program that either provides free parking or a nationwide parking flat rate, Bild am Sonntag reported. "We don't need an anti-car policy," said FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai. The Liberals want to actively distance themselves from the Greens. The FDP is positioning itself "actively against a green policy of paternalism," said Djir-Sarai.
An FDP spokesperson confirmed that the presidium wants to adopt a program focused on cars. According to Bild am Sonntag, the resolution paper calls for municipalities to attract more cars to city centers by making parking free. Alternatively, the FDP plans to introduce a nationwide flat-rate parking system similar to the 49-euro train ticket.
At the same time, the party wants to reduce the number of bike lanes and pedestrian zones, and if they are implemented, only with direct citizen involvement. With the help of digitalization, the resolution paper states, traffic should be guided with green waves to minimize traffic jams, emissions, and accidents.
Greens remind of "technology openness"
Criticism comes predictably from the Greens. "The federal FDP should not write cheap one-pagers, but present something with their finance and transport ministries that makes sense," said their transport expert Stefan Gelbhaar. This should also include "technology openness": Citizens should be able to move around safely and well on foot, by bike, bus, and train.
Better sharing offers could also "help more people get access to a car when and where they need it, including parking," he added. Moreover, the focus should be on emission-free vehicles to improve air quality.
According to Bild am Sonntag, the FDP also wants to allow supervised driving for 16-year-olds after the resolution paper. Furthermore, the party explicitly supports motorsports, which it sees as a driving force for innovation in the automotive sector.
The FDP's pro-car program aims to reduce the focus on their coalition partner's preferences, such as more bike lanes and fewer parking spaces. The traffic lights coalition, referencing the FDP and their coalition partner, is facing criticism from the Greens for neglecting alternative modes of transportation and technology openness.
