The government is reportedly walking back promises to fund major projects for national train operator Deutsche Bahn. DB is beset by chronic punctuality problems, decrepit infrastructure, and a lack of investment.

Since coming into power in early 2025, the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly promised to fund major rail projects that had already been planned. Of the €500 billion ($585 billion) in controversial new debt taken on by his administration€150 billion was earmarked for train work.

Indeed, Merz said several times over the course of 2025 that “everything with finished plans will be built.” However, the government appears to have quietly backed out of some of those promises, while simultaneously shifting more money towards building new highways.