Volkswagen under scrutiny: Alleged "Porsche-Gate" text message surfaces, stating, "We'll inspect again".
Unveiling Fresh Details: The Saga Continues Three Years On
In the limelight once more, we find ourselves delving into the intricate world of politics and business, amidst the "Porsche-Gate" scandal. This time, the key players are none other than VW and Porsche CEO, Oliver Blume, and the then-Finance Minister and FDP leader, Christian Lindner. It seems these two exchanged text messages during a heated political situation.
The investigative outfit, abgeordnetenwatch.de, has recently disclosed a series of 12 text messages between the two powerhouses. These messages give us a glimpse into the intimate relationship that can exist between politics and industry. They date back to the summer of 2022 and discuss the contentious topic of E-Fuels and the proposed ban on combustion engines. At that time, the traffic light parties were deeply engrossed in a heated debate about the ban on combustion engines by 2035. Lindner, the FDP, and then-Transport Minister Volker Wissing, along with the EU, were advocating for an exception that would allow combustion engine cars powered solely by E-Fuel after 2035.
Blume Brushes Off Lindner - "He Took a Beat On That One"
In the closing days of June 2022, Blume expressed his full support to Lindner via text: "We're doubling down," and "Thanks for your efforts." Lindner had previously reached out to Blume, seeking "argumentative support" on the topic of the combustion engine ban. He admitted, "Maybe another voice would be helpful." This communiqué occurred amidst meetings between EU environment ministers concerning the combustion engine ban and an exception for E-Fuels. Blume later thanked Lindner for his assistance: "Very good! That's climate protection thought through comprehensively. [...] Thanks for your efforts."
Not long after, Blume reportedly made a statement during an internal Porsche meeting that would later come back to haunt him: "We played a very big role in getting E-Fuels included in the coalition agreement. We were a major driver of that, with very close contact to the coalition parties. Christian Lindner kept me up to date almost hourly in the last few days." This revelation eventually transformed into the "Porsche-Gate affair," with a Porsche spokesperson subsequently apologizing for Blume’s "over-the-top formulation."
So, Where Does This Leave Us?
Regarding the published text messages, a spokesperson for confessed Porsche enthusiast, Christian Lindner, told ZDF: "The exchange refutes all allegations that there was any influence on decisions by the federal government or on Mr. Lindner's position." In similar sentiments, Porsche responded: "Porsche has long been advocating for E-Fuels to be considered as a complement to electromobility. This publicly known position is reflected in the text messages between Minister Lindner and Oliver Blume," the VW subsidiary told ZDF.
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An Unfriendly Verdict for Christian Lindner
However, Lara Louisa Siever, from abgeordnetenwatch.de, has a differing perspective. She harshly criticizes Lindner's exchange with Blume: "When a government member actively seeks argumentative support from a lobbyist - and is personally praised for their efforts - it sends a fatal signal for political independence." She advocates for legally anchored transparency in politicians' contacts, making it clear who talks to whom about what. "Such influence should no longer remain hidden."
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- The text messages between VW and Porsche CEO, Oliver Blume, and the then-Finance Minister and FDP leader, Christian Lindner, provide a glimpse into the relationship between politics and industry, particularly concerning the topic of E-Fuels and the proposed ban on combustion engines.
- Lara Louisa Siever, from abgeordnetenwatch.de, criticizes the exchange between Christian Lindner and Oliver Blume, stating that active seeking of argumentative support from a lobbyist by a government member undermines political independence and that there should be legally anchored transparency in politicians' contacts.
