Seoul Gazette - Birgit Bessin becomes Chairperson of the BER Committee of Inquiry

The chairman of the AfD parliamentary group in the committee is the MP Daniel Freiherr von Lützow. He stated after the constituent meeting:
"The construction delays and years of mishaps at BER have cost taxpayers billions. The originally announced costs of 2.3 billion euros eventually turned into 7.5 billion euros. The missed opening dates have severely damaged Germany's and Brandenburg's reputation in the world. Finding out how this could have happened and, above all, how something like this can be avoided in future construction projects, is a major task of this committee.

To do this, we need the powers and competence that only a committee of enquiry can offer. After today's constitution, we will not let any time pass and will immediately start to investigate. By convening the committee of enquiry, the AfD parliamentary group is fulfilling an election promise made in 2019. Not only will it be clarified how over five billion euros in additional costs came about, but the construction and planning deficiencies will also be addressed. This also includes costs that cannot yet be estimated.

For example, for noise protection for citizens who are affected by changed flight routes. The committee is examining all of this on behalf of the citizens, and we would also like their participation. Those affected - for example by the noise protection measures - but also all other citizens with questions or comments can and should seek contact with us at any time: As the AfD's chairman, I am available for all discussions!"

The chair of the committee, Birgit Bessin, said: "The preparations for the committee's work and the resulting first meeting of the committee of enquiry have already sent an important signal, for which I am very grateful: All parties represented in the Landtag are showing that they have the will to clarify the matter.

And that is exactly what I most wish for as chair of the committee: collegial interaction among and with each other, which leads to the fact that in the limited time available to the committee, as many subject areas as possible can be illuminated and as many - also uncomfortable - questions as possible can be answered. Only when all parties recognise what could have been done differently and better will we do justice to the trust that the citizen places in us. Citizens and voters have the right to expect that we use their money as economically and effectively as possible. They have the right to expect that public buildings will be built by those who can do it best. This is really first and foremost about trust in politics. Restoring that and securing it for the future is something I will always work for as chair of the committee."

At today's meeting, the committee decided which topics would be dealt with and in what order:

1. flight paths and noise protection
2. finances
3. technology and construction defects
4. location / airport environment
5. planning, construction and commissioning
6. responsibility as shareholder

(O.Bulka--BTZ)