Stuttgart 21: Kretschmann defends controversial underground station and plans railway summit

Stuttgart 21: Kretschmann defends controversial underground station and plans railway summit

Political actors and railway representatives in Baden-Württemberg take a stand in the debate about the controversial Stuttgart 21 project. In a press conference on May 28, 2025, Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann and Transport Minister Winfried Hermann were asked about the delays in the opening of the Stuttgart 21 underground station. Their answers were initially evasive, but both subsequently expressed deeper thoughts on the topic. Kretschmann noted that Stuttgart 21 is closely linked to the political history of the Greens on an emotional level and should not be seen just as an infrastructure project. “It is a fateful issue for the Southwest Greens,” said Kretschmann, who recalled the arrogance of the project’s opponents while pointing out that many of his predictions at the time had come true, such as the skyrocketing costs and postponed schedules, which are currently estimated at at least 11 billion euros, compared to the originally estimated 2.5 billion euros.

Stuttgart 21 is one of the most massive infrastructure projects in Baden-Württemberg and is considered Germany's largest and most controversial construction site. The renovation of the rail hub includes new railway lines, stations, tunnels and bridges. The heart of the project is the reconstruction of Stuttgart Central Station, which will be converted from a terminal station to a through station and relocated underground. This innovation is intended to enable a connection to the airport and allow travelers to benefit from the new high-speed line from Wendlingen to Ulm, which has been operational since December 2022. Nevertheless, the project is not without criticism. Supporters and opponents have grappled with various aspects of the project since the first protests in the 1990s. With demands for more transparency and citizen participation, the pressure on those responsible for the project increased.

Criticism and citizen participation

The concerns range from safety aspects to climate impacts. During the construction phase there were violent clashes and numerous demonstrations that underlined the need for a referendum. A notable point is that the project's critics were often forced to participate in the construction of the project itself after previously vehemently opposing it. A referendum that Kretschmann had initiated was lost, but the Greens' political career was actually affected by the criticism.

In order to meet the challenges of the project, Kretschmann and Hermann are planning a rail summit on July 1st, which rail boss Richard Lutz will also take part in. Topics such as construction site planning and information policy should be discussed. Kretschmann emphasizes that the new Deutsche Bahn administration is no longer “on the high horse” and is instead more open to suggestions for improvement.

The need for transparency

A central aspect in the discussion about Stuttgart 21 and similar large-scale projects is citizen participation. According to a survey commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation, 89% of citizens would like more opportunities to have a say. Almost two thirds demand a more active information policy from authorities. This brings to the agenda the need for more transparent communication from those responsible for the project in order to regain the trust of the general public and achieve greater acceptance.

The Stuttgart 21 project therefore remains a focal point of political debate in Baden-Württemberg. The opening of the underground station is now scheduled for December 2026, which means that the new state government will already be in office by then. Until then, it remains to be seen whether the communication strategies and the processing of citizens' concerns can be fruitful in order to promote openness and better coexistence.