"The FDP advocates for equitable circumstances for the automotive sector - Criticism of the financial policies of the state government"
The FDP Saar, a regional political party, has called for the development of a comprehensive location package to strengthen Saarland as an economic and innovation hub. This call comes in response to the ongoing discussion about the ZF plant in Saarbrücken.
The proposed location package aims to improve the economic conditions for companies like ZF in Saarland by enhancing competitiveness and securing long-term jobs. Although the exact proposals of the FDP Saar's location package are not yet clear, such packages typically include measures such as infrastructure investments, tax incentives, regulatory relief, and support for innovation and workforce development to foster a favourable business environment for key industrial players.
Angelika Hießerich-Peter, the state chairwoman of the FDP Saar, emphasized the importance of creating favourable conditions for companies to maintain jobs in Saarland. She also criticised corporate bashing, stating that attacking management en masse is not productive. Instead, she believes that efforts should be focused on creating location factors in Saarland to make companies like ZF want to stay.
The FDP Saar's call for a comprehensive location package is in contrast to their earlier criticism of the state government's strategy of relying solely on industrial resettlements from China or the USA. They believe that creating framework conditions for companies to maintain jobs is more productive than ideological and regulatory burdens.
The ZF plant in Saarbrücken is currently a topic of discussion, with the FDP questioning why a globally active automotive supplier like ZF is considering alternative locations. Meanwhile, Uwe Conradt, the mayor of Saarbrücken and a member of the CDU, is demanding immediate clarification about the plant's future.
In addition to the economic aspects, the proposed comprehensive location package includes measures to promote the use of alternative fuels. Creating more charging points and refueling stations for electric vehicles is part of the package.
The FDP Saar is urging Minister President Anke Rehlinger to use her influence on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to overturn the planned ban on internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids. This move is seen as a way to secure jobs in the automotive industry in Saarland.
The SPD, another regional political party, has demanded maximum job security. However, their stance contrasts with the FDP's call for a comprehensive location package that focuses on creating favourable conditions for companies to maintain jobs in the long term.
- The FDP Saar suggests the development of a location package to bolster Saarland as an industrial and innovation hub, addressing issues like the ZF plant in Saarbrücken.
- The location package, if implemented, could potentially include measures such as infrastructure investments, tax incentives, regulatory relief, and support for innovation and workforce development.
- The proposal also includes efforts to promote the use of alternative fuels, aiming to increase the number of charging points and refueling stations for electric vehicles.
- In response to the planned ban on internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids, the FDP Saar urges Minister President Anke Rehlinger to intervene, arguing this would secure jobs in the automotive industry in Saarland.
