Stuttgart 21 - Merkel 21!
Comments from Michael Schlecht, Member of Parliament, chief economist of the group of DIE LINKE and union policy spokesman in the party executive of DIE LINKE.
On September the 30th the protest against Stuttgart 21 was beaten down with an almost unbelievable violence. The police used vast amounts of pepper spray and other irritants. Water canons with 20 bars of pressure shot at the crowds. The physical impact caused broken ribs and at least two demonstrators have probably lost their sight because the water jet sprayed directly in their eyes. In total, around 380 injured protestors were counted.
Those affected most were children and young people. Their demonstration against Stuttgart 21 had been registered for weeks. They have not just been physically hurt, but also traumatised, some as young as 13. Mayor Schuster, interior minister Rech and governor Mappus cynically blame the children themselves. Several elderly citizens were also affected, many of them former CDU voters.
For nearly a year there has been at least one protest a week against Stuttgart 21. Since the demolition of the historic station building began at the end of July there have been protests twice a week. Without mobilisation by a large organisation, tens of thousands take part in each one. Last Friday 100,000 people turned up. As of the end of June more than 250,000 inhabitants of Stuttgart have taken part in at least one of the protests. A true popular uprising!
This is however being completely ignored by the political elite. The real agitator is chancellor Merkel. In the budget speech on September the 15th she declared war on Sturrgart 21. Merkel 21!
The planned building of the Stuttgart main railway station and the new line to Ulm should officially cost seven billion euros, but independent consultants put the figure between 13 and 20 billion!
Many people oppose Stuttgart 21 because, even in the relatively wealthy Swabian metropolis there are massive social ills. Child poverty is high and 3000 more daycare places are needed. In many schools the plaster is crumbling off the ceilings, and the universities lack administration.
Merkel rejects an immediate referendum, saying “The state election next year will establish what the citizens want for the future of Baden-Württemberg and for Stuttgart 21”. With the impending demise of the coalition in Baden-Württemberg she will earn herself another heavy defeat.