Volkswagen under fire: Alleged "Porsche-Gate" message surfaces, promising another inspection
Fresh Take:
Three years post the "Porsche-Gate," new details surface. Amidst it all, Volkswagen's CEO Oliver Blume and ex-Finance Minister and FDP leader, Christian Lindner, are the main characters. Their private text conversations during a tense situation enlighten us about the close ties between industries and politics.
Porsche, a Volkswagen subsidiary, and politics
The organization abgeordnetenwatch.de has now uncovered and revealed twelve text messages exchanged between these two influential figures. These messages reveal the cozy relationship between politics and corporations. These messages date back to the summer of 2022 and discuss E-Fuels and the ban on combustion engines. At that time, the traffic light parties were embroiled in a heated debate over the end of combustion engines by 2035. Lindner and the FDP, with then Transport Minister Volker Wissing, opposed corresponding EU plans and demanded that combustion engine cars that could run on E-Fuels should also be allowed after 2035.
"Volkswagen chief Blume brushes off Finance Minister - 'Lindner got burned'" "Full support from Porsche", "We're going to push even harder" and "Thank you for your efforts" - such phrases are from the VW and Porsche CEO Blume, sent to then Finance Minister Lindner at the end of June 2022. Lindner had earlier asked Blume for " persuasive support" on the topic of the combustion engine ban: "Maybe another voice would be helpful." This situation unfolded as EU environment ministers were meeting to discuss the end of combustion engines and an exception for E-Fuels. Lindner received thanks from Blume shortly after: "Very good! That's comprehensive climate protection. [...] Thank you for your efforts."
Soon after, Blume made a comment at an internal Porsche meeting that later became a problem for him: "We have a significant stake in the fact that E-Fuels are included in the coalition agreement. We were a significant driver of that, with very close contact to the coalition parties. Christian Lindner has kept me updated almost daily in the past few days." The ZDF program made this the "Porsche-Gate affair" - and a Porsche spokesperson apologized for Blume's "exaggerated statement."
More News:
Now what? A spokesperson for confessed Porsche fan Christian Lindner told ZDF regarding the dozen published text messages: "The exchange now refutes all allegations that there was any influence on government decisions or Lindner's position." Porsche also sees nothing wrong: "Porsche has long been committed to ensuring that E-Fuels are taken into consideration as a supplement to electromobility. This publicly known position is reflected in the text messages between Minister Lindner and Oliver Blume," the VW subsidiary told ZDF.
Harsh criticism of Christian Lindner
Lara Louisa Siever from abgeordnetenwatch.de strongly criticizes Lindner's exchange with Blume: "If a government member actively seeks persuasive support from a lobbyist - and is personally praised for their efforts - that's a disastrous signal for political independence." At the same time, she calls for legally mandated transparency in politicians' contacts, making it clear who has spoken to whom about what. "Such influence should no longer remain hidden."
The Catch:When it comes to Volkswagen's direct involvement in the exchange, the provided sources do not offer clarity. However, the broader context shows that VW, as a significant player in the automotive industry, would likely have strong opinions about synthetic fuels and the future of combustion engines.
Electrifying Ride:Drive an electric crossover with highway assistant, premium relaxation seats, and 325 PS for free: Click here to discover how to experience a free test drive of the Kia Sportage GT-Line.
"The cozy relationship between politics and businesses, as demonstrated by the Porsche-Gate affair, is evident in the text messages exchanged between Oliver Blume, Volkswagen's CEO, and Christian Lindner, the former Finance Minister and FDP leader, regarding E-Fuels and the ban on combustion engines. These messages, which reveal influence between industries and politics, have now been uncovered and shared by abgeordnetenwatch.de."
"The broad context shows that Volkswagen, as a significant player in the automotive industry with a strong opinion on synthetic fuels and the future of combustion engines, is likely to have been involved directly or indirectly in the exchange, despite the sources not offering clarity on this matter."
