By Johannes Malinowski
Every second, the per capita debt in Germany increases by 4898 euros. The taxpayers’ association (BdSt)’s debt clock is ticking. Our money continues to be wasted anyway…
The Black Book of the BdSt, which lists the worst sins, is celebrating its 50th birthday.
For the anniversary, BdSt boss Reiner Holznagel (46) is touring the country to places where massive amounts of tax money have been wasted. “Our topic is exciting, more and more people are interested in it,” says Holznagel.
“Waste of tax money is no longer simply accepted.” The Black Book’s greatest success? “That tax waste is no longer swept under the carpet.”
BZ lists cases from Berlin
► The BSR operated 1976 a 25 million DM sinter plant for nine years, which was supposed to refine waste into slag. Stupid: Since then, she hasn’t brought in a penny.
► 1977: A recreation room with a luxury pool, disco and solarium is being built in Kladow. Client: the BSR. Of the total costs of 8.4 million DM, 3.5 million were borne by the state.
► Earlier felt as early as 1979: The luxurious study of the FU President at the time. New furniture for DM 31,000. Including a desk for DM 3,300 and a chair for DM 1,200. Reminiscent of the Schlesinger case.
► Also in 1979: The Schmargendorf motorway bridge (cost: once 6 million DM) has to be demolished and rebuilt. Costs: between 30 and 40 million DM. Reason: load-bearing components could not cope with the temperature differences.
The costs for the new central bus station under the radio tower are exploding! Instead of 14.3 million, the total costs are now 39.1 million euros Photo: Siegfried Purschke
In recent years the construction sites at the ZOB, Friedrichstrasse and of course the airport. What will be the next BER? “The new building of the Chancellery,” says Holznagel. “It would be a symbolic act not to do so.” The cost of the expansion is estimated at 600 million euros.
The BdSt also wants to continue to put its finger in the wound when tax money is thrown out the window.