The money from EU structural funding is actually intended for economically weak regions. Now, however, wealthy Baden-Württemberg in particular wants a piece of the cake. What is it?
Brussels (dpa / lsw) - The Autoland Baden-Württemberg is concerned about its international competitiveness and wants more money from the European Union. In the location competition for settlement projects, strong industrial transformation regions such as Baden-Württemberg can no longer compete with other regions that are equipped with lavish EU funds, according to a demand paper on the "Strategy Dialogue with the Automotive Industry", which is available to the German Press Agency. The state is therefore calling for EU structural funding not only to focus on economically weak regions, but also on industrial centers.
On Wednesday (from 10.00 a.m.) Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) and high-ranking industry representatives from the south-west will meet for a "strategy dialogue" in Brussels. EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton is also expected.
In addition to the realignment of subsidies, the state is also calling for faster expansion of the European infrastructure for drives that run on batteries, hydrogen or e-fuels. Baden-Württemberg also sees a need to catch up when it comes to digitization and the creation of European data sovereignty. In the software sector, for example, there is currently a high degree of US and Asian dominance. But increasing added value is also being generated in the digital space in the automotive industry.
