On Sunday it will be decided whether a citizens’ initiative will stop the construction of a large BMW battery factory for 600,000 high-voltage batteries per year in Lower Bavaria.
Around 2,700 voters in Straßkirchen are called to vote in the referendum by 6 p.m. The result is expected a few hours later.
The “Livable Gäuboden Citizens’ Initiative”, which is against the work, pushed through the referendum. The local councils of Straßkirchen and Irlbach, in whose district the plant is to be built, unanimously approved the planned settlement. Another citizens’ initiative is also drumming up support for the plant, and of course BMW is also promoting the location.
Opponents of the plant criticize, among other things, the fact that around 100 hectares of prime arable land would be destroyed for construction. The factory also creates a lot of additional traffic. And the resulting jobs don’t convince opponents either: “Every “high-quality” job at BMW means a lack of workers at other companies,” it says on their homepage. They receive support, among others, from BUND Nature Conservation, which does not consider the possibilities for a land-saving option to have been exhausted yet.
Straßkirchen’s first mayor, Christian Hirtreiter, has clearly positioned himself in favor of the work. BMW means work and prosperity not only for the communities, but for the entire region. Local companies also benefited, he said recently. In addition, hundreds of jobs have recently been lost at other companies in the region.
BMW wants to supply its Dingolfing, Regensburg and Munich plants with the batteries, which are to be manufactured in Straßkirchen. Directly and with electric trucks via the nearby A3 and A92 motorways. Board member Ilka Horstmeier recently emphasized the signaling effect of the referendum beyond the factory: “Many companies will take a close look to see whether people still want to invest in sustainable technologies and future-proof jobs in Bavaria,” she said. If the citizens say no, BMW has announced that it will move away – probably to a location outside of Bavaria.
BMW also receives support from the DGB Bavaria. Its chairman Bernhard Stiedl emphasized on Friday that the investment was necessary to secure jobs and be able to work regeneratively.
/ruc/DP/he
MUNICH/STRASSKIRCHEN (dpa-AFX)
Selected lever products on BMW
With knock-outs, speculative investors can participate disproportionately in price movements. Simply select the lever you want and we will show you suitable open-end products on BMW
The leverage must be between 2 and 20