Politics · Positions on the record
Political positions: what Steffen Bilger has said, and when
This page is not a manifesto. Steffen Bilger has not published a personal programme, so nothing here is written in his voice. It collects positions he has taken in Bundestag speeches, interviews and official statements, gives each one a date and a source, and keeps it separate from the policy background needed to understand it.
Section A — method
Four roles, four vantage points
A politician's statements depend on the job they hold. A junior minister speaks for a ministry, an opposition deputy chair attacks the government, a parliamentary manager defends the coalition's majority, and a minister answers for results.
Bilger has held all four of these roles since 2018, and his portfolio changed with each. As Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) he covered, in his own words, roads, cars, alternative drives, aviation and digitalisation, and he was the federal government's coordinator for freight transport and logistics. As deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in opposition, his brief was environment, nature conservation, agriculture and food, not transport. As First Parliamentary Manager (Erster Parlamentarischer Geschäftsführer, the group's chief organiser in the Bundestag) he was responsible for securing votes. Since 29 July 2026 he has been Federal Minister for Transport.
The positions below are therefore grouped by era. Mixing them would suggest a single consistent programme that the sources do not show. Each entry separates the documented position, with date and source, from the policy context, which explains the debate but says nothing about his views.
- Parliamentary State SecretaryMar 2018 – Dec 2021 · BMVI, under Andreas Scheuer
- Deputy group chair, oppositionDec 2021 – May 2025 · environment, agriculture
- First Parliamentary ManagerMay 2025 – Jul 2026 · CDU/CSU group
- Federal Minister for TransportSince 29 Jul 2026 · BMV
Argument matrix
Fourteen positions at a glance
One line per topic: the era, the core of what he said, and the occasion. The detailed entries further down give the original wording, a translation and the background.
| Topic | Era | Documented position (summary) | Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | I | Against "demonising" diesel; too much transport policy argued "ideologically". | Trade-press interview, 7 Sep 2018 |
| Technology openness | I | Germany, as a leading car-making country, should aim to lead in every drive technology. | Same interview, 7 Sep 2018 |
| Environment ministry restructuring | II | Criticised moving climate policy from the Environment to the Economics Ministry. | Bundestag debate on environment policy, 12 Jan 2022 |
| Agriculture | II | Sharp criticism of Agriculture Minister Özdemir; later led CDU/CSU talks on rural areas and farming. | top agrar, 15 Feb 2023; coalition talks, spring 2025 |
| Nuclear exit | II | Called the shutdown of the last three plants "irresponsible"; wanted them run until at least end-2024. | Bundestag, 19 Apr 2023 |
| Judge election | III | Admitted the group should have recognised the controversy earlier. | Stuttgarter Zeitung, 24 Jul 2025 |
| Combustion-engine ban | III | Argued for loosening the EU's 2035 ban, pointing to Germany's export role. | RTL/ntv, 8 Oct 2025 |
| Pension package | III | Said the young MPs' group "does have a point" while managing the vote. | 15 Oct 2025 |
| Rail performance and bonuses | IV | Missed punctuality targets should affect DB managers' bonuses. | Bild, 9 Aug 2026; Bundestag, 8 Sep 2026 |
| Road financing | IV | A "paradigm shift": the federal motorway company should be able to borrow. | Bundestag, 8 Sep 2026; cabinet, 7 Oct 2026 |
| General speed limit | IV | Against; prefers variable, telematics-based limits. | Bild, 9 Aug 2026; Berliner Morgenpost, 14 Sep 2026 |
| Deutschlandticket price | IV | Price rises needed to keep services; ticket still "very attractive". | 14 and 30 Sep 2026 |
| Bureaucracy reduction | IV | Remove bureaucracy "where it brings people no added value". | Press release 085/2026, 14 Sep 2026 |
| Planning acceleration | IV | "We were far too slow in planning"; backs acceleration laws. | Der Spiegel, 26 Sep 2026 |
2018–2021 · speaking for the ministry
Parliamentary State Secretary
A Parliamentary State Secretary is a member of the Bundestag who supports a federal minister politically. What Bilger said in this role was said as part of Andreas Scheuer's ministry. The role sheet covers the office itself.
Diesel, 2018
Documented position
In an interview with the trade magazine trans aktuell, published on eurotransport.de on 7 September 2018, Bilger said: In der Verkehrspolitik wird mir zurzeit vieles zu ideologisch diskutiert. Wer jetzt den Diesel verteufelt, hat nicht zu Ende gedacht.
("Too much in transport policy is currently being discussed too ideologically for my taste. Anyone who demonises diesel now hasn't thought it through." Translation.)
Policy context
In 2018 German cities were facing court-ordered diesel driving bans because nitrogen dioxide limits were being exceeded, several of them brought by the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), an environmental and consumer association. In December 2018 Bilger's CDU district association in North Württemberg tabled motions at the federal party conference to remove the DUH's charitable status; ARD's Monitor reported on this critically. The criticism page sets out that episode.
Technology openness, 2018
Documented position
In the same interview: Technologieoffenheit ist wichtig. Als Autobauerland Nummer eins muss es unser Ziel sein, bei jeder Technologie an der Spitze zu sein.
("Technology openness is important. As the number one car-making country, our goal must be to lead in every technology." Translation.) In April 2018, on becoming logistics coordinator, he also said he would work to reduce freight emissions and to support shifting transport to rail and waterways.
Policy context
"Technologieoffenheit" is a term used mainly by the CDU/CSU and FDP. It means the state should set emission goals but not prescribe one technology, such as battery-electric cars. Critics argue that the phrase delays a clear commitment to electric drives. Bilger's own portfolio in 2018 included alternative drives; no primary source credits him personally with specific programmes such as the charging-infrastructure masterplan.
2021–2025 · opposition, environment and agriculture brief
Deputy chair of the CDU/CSU group
From December 2021 the CDU/CSU sat in opposition to the coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP. Bilger's responsibilities as deputy chair, according to the group's own press release, were environment and nature conservation, agriculture and food. His statements from this period are opposition criticism in those fields.
Restructuring of the Environment Ministry, 2022
Documented position
In the Bundestag debate on the new government's planned environment policy on 12 January 2022 he criticised the transfer of climate policy from the Environment Ministry to the Economics Ministry. The Bundestag's report records him calling it a Verzwergung eines einst stolzen Hauses
("the dwarfing of a once proud ministry", translation), driven by grüner Machtarithmetik
("Green power arithmetic"), with structures willkürlich zerschlagen
("arbitrarily smashed").
Policy context
When the new government took office in December 2021, responsibility for national and international climate policy moved to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action under Robert Habeck (Greens). The Environment Ministry, under Steffi Lemke (Greens), kept nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection. Supporters argued that climate and energy policy belonged together.
Agriculture: Özdemir critique, 2023, and coalition talks, 2025
Documented position
In top agrar on 15 February 2023 he said of Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens): Ich habe selten einen Bundeslandwirtschaftsminister erlebt, der so wenig ambitioniert an seine Aufgabe herangeht
("I have rarely seen a federal agriculture minister approach his task with so little ambition", translation), and called him at European level letztlich ein Totalausfall
("ultimately a complete failure"). In spring 2025 he led the CDU/CSU negotiating group on rural areas, agriculture, food and environment. On 11 April 2025 he described sehr harte Verhandlungen mit den Sozialdemokraten
("very tough negotiations with the Social Democrats") and said the coalition agreement set ganz andere Schwerpunkte als die Vorgängerregierung
("completely different priorities from the previous government").
Policy context
Farm policy was a central point of conflict between the opposition and the governing coalition from 2021 to 2025, notably over livestock farming rules and, in 2023–24, the phasing out of the agricultural diesel tax refund, which prompted large farmer protests. A remark sometimes attributed to Bilger on the diesel refund could not be traced to a primary source and is not included here.
Nuclear exit, 2023
Documented position
In a Bundestag topical debate (Aktuelle Stunde) on 19 April 2023, four days after the last three nuclear power stations were shut down, he called the shutdown a Sieg der ideologischen Sturheit über die praktische Vernunft
("a victory of ideological stubbornness over practical reason", translation) and "unverantwortlich" (irresponsible). He called for the plants to keep running until at least the end of 2024.
Policy context
The nuclear exit was decided in 2011 by the CDU/CSU-FDP government under Angela Merkel after Fukushima. In autumn 2022, during the energy crisis, the coalition extended the last three plants' operation until 15 April 2023. The Greens and SPD defended the final shutdown as the conclusion of a cross-party decision.
2025–2026 · managing the majority
First Parliamentary Manager
Elected on 5 May 2025 with 93.5 per cent, Bilger had to secure the coalition's majorities. His statements from this period are mainly about parliamentary process, and they include public admissions of mistakes. See First Parliamentary Secretary for the role.
Constitutional judge election, July 2025
Documented position
On 11 July 2025 he moved the motion to remove three judge elections from the Bundestag agenda, saying the debate about the SPD's candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf had "zum Teil jedes Maß verloren" (in part lost all sense of proportion). On 24 July he told the Stuttgarter Zeitung: Als Unionsfraktion hätten wir die Brisanz früher erkennen müssen
("As the Union group, we should have recognised how explosive this was earlier", translation), and Wir als Union hätten anders agieren müssen
("We as the Union should have acted differently").
Policy context
Constitutional judges need a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag, so the coalition depended on other parties. The postponement was a setback for the coalition and drew criticism mainly of group leader Jens Spahn. Bilger said the decisions had been taken by the group leadership as a whole.
Pension package, autumn 2025
Documented position
On 15 October 2025, as young CDU/CSU MPs (the Junge Gruppe, which he had chaired from 2014 to 2018) opposed the pension package, he said: Die Junge Gruppe hat schon einen Punkt
("The Junge Gruppe does have a point", translation), while saying he was not happy with how they had put it.
Policy context
The young MPs objected to the long-term costs of fixing the pension level. The package passed on 5 December 2025 with 318 votes, two more than an absolute majority of members; seven Union MPs voted against.
The 2035 combustion-engine ban, October 2025
Documented position
On RTL/ntv's Frühstart on 8 October 2025 he argued for loosening the EU's planned end of new combustion-engine cars in 2035: Wir haben nicht nur den deutschen Markt, sondern als Automobilland Deutschland verkaufen wir die Autos in die ganze Welt.
("We don't only have the German market; as a car-making country, Germany sells cars to the whole world." Translation.)
Policy context
EU rules require new cars sold from 2035 to emit no CO₂. The CDU/CSU has called for this to be revised; environmental groups and parts of the industry argue that a stable target gives investment certainty. The economic angle is covered on Economy & Mobility.
Since 29 July 2026 · answering for results
Federal Minister for Transport
As minister his statements now carry executive weight. Several have already turned into cabinet decisions; others remain positions. The initiatives ledger tracks what has been formally decided.
Wer die Ziele erreicht, wird belohnt. Wer sie verfehlt, nicht.
“Whoever meets the targets is rewarded. Whoever misses them is not.” (translation)
Steffen Bilger on rail managers' bonuses, budget speech in the Bundestag, 8 September 2026 — bundesregierung.de
Rail performance and accountability
Documented position
He told Bild on 9 August 2026 that Deutsche Bahn's punctuality was "völlig unzureichend" (completely inadequate) and that missed targets should have consequences "auch auf Vorstandsboni" (including for board bonuses). In his budget speech on 8 September he said improvements for customers muss sich auch in den Boni der Bahnmanager widerspiegeln
("must also be reflected in rail managers' bonuses"). On 26 September he told Der Spiegel he was "überhaupt nicht zufrieden" (not at all satisfied) with how the corridor renovations had been carried out.
Policy context
Long-distance punctuality was 60.1 per cent in 2025 and 58.7 per cent in the first half of 2026; the agreed target is 70 per cent by 2029. DB's bonus scheme starts paying at 65 per cent. ZDF reported that the SPD, Greens and the passenger association Pro Bahn backed the idea; Pro Bahn also asked for a stricter definition of lateness. See Rail.
Road financing
Documented position
In the Bundestag on 8 September 2026 he announced a draft law to let the federal motorway company borrow: Das ist ein Paradigmenwechsel in der Modernisierung und Finanzierung des Straßenbaus.
("This is a paradigm shift in the modernisation and financing of road building." Translation.) Funding should become "überjährig, flexibel und verlässlich" (multi-year, flexible and reliable). The cabinet approved the bill on 7 October 2026.
Policy context
Until now, Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes has depended on annual budget allocations. The bill gives it limited borrowing capacity from 2027 and a share of truck-toll revenue from 2028, while the company stays wholly federally owned. Opposition criticism of the budget is set out on Infrastructure policy.
General speed limit on the Autobahn
Documented position
To Bild (9 August 2026): Nein, ich halte nichts von einem Tempolimit.
He said it would make more sense to expand telematics (variable limits set by overhead signs). To the Berliner Morgenpost (14 September) he doubted the CO₂ savings, saw no notable safety effect, and said a limit würde außerdem die Spaltung im Land noch einmal verstärken
("would also deepen the division in the country further", translation).
Policy context
Germany is one of very few countries without a general motorway speed limit. The Greens and environmental groups support one as a quick, cheap climate measure; the CDU/CSU and FDP have opposed it. The arguments on both sides are set out on Mobility & society and Climate & transport.
Deutschlandticket price
Documented position
Price adjustments are "nötig, um das Verkehrsangebot beizubehalten" (necessary to maintain services; Berliner Morgenpost, 14 September 2026). After the transport ministers set €66.80 for 2027, he called the ticket "weiterhin ein sehr attraktives Angebot" (still a very attractive offer).
Policy context
The price is set jointly by the federal and state transport ministers. Consumer and environmental groups criticised the 6 per cent rise. See Public transport.
Bureaucracy reduction
Documented position
Announcing that leisure boats will no longer pay a fee to use the Kiel Canal from 2027 (press release 085/2026, 14 September): Wir wollen Bürokratie dort abbauen, wo sie den Menschen keinen Mehrwert bringt.
("We want to cut bureaucracy where it brings people no added value." Translation.)
Policy context
The ministry said the cost of collecting the fee had come to clearly exceed the revenue. The same regulation contained seven further simplifications for the maritime industry.
Planning acceleration
Documented position
In Der Spiegel (26 September 2026): Wir waren viel zu langsam bei der Planung, die Prozesse waren langwierig.
("We were far too slow in planning; the processes were lengthy." Translation.) In the interview he backed planning-acceleration legislation.
Policy context
The main acceleration law, the Infrastruktur-Zukunftsgesetz, which gives transport projects "overriding public interest" status, was passed by the Bundestag on 26 June and the Bundesrat on 10 July 2026, before he took office. Environmental associations strongly opposed it.
Interpretation
Reading the record
Three lines of argument recur across the eras. They are patterns in the documented statements, not a programme he has set out.
"Ideology" against "practicality". In 2018 he said transport policy was being discussed "too ideologically"; in 2023 he called the nuclear exit a victory of "ideological stubbornness over practical reason"; in July 2026 his first words as minister asked for a "pragmatic, realistic view of transport policy". The framing presents opponents' positions as ideological and his own as practical. Critics, including the Greens, reject that framing and argue that climate targets are a legal obligation, not ideology.
Industry and technology openness. From diesel in 2018 to the 2035 combustion-engine ban in 2025, he has argued from the position of Germany as a car-producing and car-exporting country, and against prescribing particular technologies. As minister he has also backed electric-truck charging and electricity-based aviation fuel, so this line does not mean opposing new drives.
Accountability for delivery. As minister, his sharpest statements have concerned results: punctuality, renovated lines that must "work noticeably better afterwards", and planning that was "far too slow". His admissions of error as parliamentary manager in 2025 fit the same pattern. Whether these statements lead to measurable improvements cannot yet be judged; the political record page will follow that.
Sources
- eurotransport / trans aktuell — Interview: Steffen Bilger, der Parlamentarische Staatssekretär im Gespräch (7 Sep 2018)
- VerkehrsRundschau — Das machen die neuen Staatssekretäre im Verkehrsministerium (11 Apr 2018)
- ARD Monitor — CDU gegen DUH (6 Dec 2018)
- CDU/CSU-Fraktion via presseportal — election of the group leadership (5 May 2025)
- Deutscher Bundestag — Debate on the government's planned environment policy (12 Jan 2022)
- top agrar — Bilger: Özdemir lässt die Tierhalter gerade im Stich (15 Feb 2023)
- top agrar — CDU-Mann Bilger: Politikwechsel kommt unter Schwarz-Rot auch im Agrarsektor (11 Apr 2025)
- Deutscher Bundestag — Aktuelle Stunde zur Kernkraft (19 Apr 2023)
- Deutscher Bundestag — Procedural debate on the judge elections (11 Jul 2025)
- Stuttgarter Zeitung — Steffen Bilger zur Richterwahl: kein guter Tag im Bundestag (24 Jul 2025)
- heidelberg24 — Rentenpaket: Aufstand gegen Merz (15 Oct 2025)
- t-online — Sieben Unionsabgeordnete stimmen gegen Rentenpaket (5 Dec 2025)
- Berliner Zeitung — Bilger on the combustion-engine ban (RTL/ntv Frühstart) (8 Oct 2025)
- ZDFheute — Ernennung der neuen Minister (29 Jul 2026)
- BMV — Interview with Bild: „Da bringt wohl einer Zug rein“ (9 Aug 2026)
- ZDFheute — Bilger: Bahn-Manager-Boni (9 Aug 2026)
- Bundesregierung — Speech by Steffen Bilger on the 2027 budget (8 Sep 2026)
- BMV press release 093/2026 — Neue Finanzierungsstruktur für die Autobahn (7 Oct 2026)
- BMV — Interview with Berliner Morgenpost: „Tempolimit würde Spaltung im Land noch einmal verstärken“ (14 Sep 2026)
- evangelisch.de (epd) — Plus 6 Prozent auf 66,80 Euro: Kritik an teurerem Deutschlandticket (30 Sep 2026)
- BMV press release 085/2026 — Sportbootnutzung auf dem Nord-Ostsee-Kanal wird ab 2027 kostenlos (14 Sep 2026)
- BMV — Interview with Der Spiegel: „Wir waren viel zu langsam“ (26 Sep 2026)
- VerkehrsRundschau — Bundestag beschließt Infrastruktur-Zukunftsgesetz (26 Jun 2026)