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The Intermunicipal Industrial Area Is Coming – Even Without Teuchern’s Approval? – Ignored Protests and Lack of TransparencyDuring his monthly report to the Burgenlandkreis district council on December 9, 2024, District Administrator Götz Ulrich spoke about the next steps for the intermunicipal industrial and commercial area (IKIG) along the A9 and B91. However, his statements raise several questions – especially regarding his portrayal of the democratic process and how public criticism is addressed. Ulrich described the previous resolutions of the involved towns – Weißenfels, Lützen, and Hohenmölsen – as well as of the district council, as “key hurdles” that had been cleared to establish the joint authority. Yet, he placed no emphasis on the widespread protests and demonstrations that have accompanied the project over recent months. It is undeniable that numerous residents and citizen initiatives have voiced their opposition to the IKIG – whether due to environmental concerns, land sealing, loss of agricultural soil, or fears of increased traffic and noise. The Hohenmölsen city council approved the joint authority and the IKIG at a time when no feasibility study was even available. 
By contrast, Ulrich’s report paints a one-sided picture: While he acknowledges that “not all citizens agree” with the decisions, he apparently deems this irrelevant. His comment that there was “thanks for the detailed explanation” at one of the informational events (specifically in Nessa) comes off as whitewashing, reducing complex criticism to a mere side note. The fact is: There weren’t just informational meetings – there were also protests and demonstrations clearly directed against the project. Yet these are practically ignored in Ulrich’s account, suggesting that critical voices had no bearing on how the process was portrayed or evaluated by the district administrator. A functioning democracy thrives on engaging with diverse viewpoints, which here were clearly only selectively acknowledged. Democratic Values Under ScrutinyAnother troubling aspect of Ulrich’s report is his implied understanding of democracy. He emphasizes that the resolutions passed by the city councils and the district council are democratically legitimate and praises the objective manner in which the committees acted. However, he neglects the fact that democracy is not solely about formal legitimacy through elections – it also requires the active inclusion of public opinion and citizen participation.The message from the district administrator can be summed up as: Elected representatives have made their decision, and that's that. But this attitude – that elected officials can act independently of the public once elected – misses the essence of a vibrant democratic process. The large number of protests and the diverse criticism of the project point to significant public discontent, which is barely reflected in his report. Democracy means not only making decisions but also continuously renewing their legitimacy through open discussions and transparent procedures. Here, however, the district administrator seems to believe the democratic process ends with the councils’ votes. Focus on Economic InterestsUlrich repeatedly emphasizes that the IKIG is a “decisive success.” What becomes clear is that the primary focus lies on economic interests – the proposed industrial zones are presented as a success story, without a comprehensive discussion of ecological and social consequences. Notably, the sealing of around 400 hectares of land – a significant environmental impact – goes unmentioned. Concerns of local residents, such as potential traffic and noise burdens, are addressed only superficially and in a glossed-over manner. Instead, Ulrich praises the “objective exchange,” without addressing whether or how local objections were incorporated into the decision-making.Teuchern Not ConsultedUlrich also stated that approval from the city of Teuchern is not required to establish the joint authority – which will almost certainly exist solely to implement the IKIG. It is hardly reasonable to believe that the project would be halted after the authority is founded, even in the face of future complications or problems.District Administrator Götz Ulrich’s report on the intermunicipal industrial area IKIG reveals a problematic approach to democratic processes and public involvement. The deliberate omission of protests and demonstrations, along with the selective portrayal of criticism, raises concerns about the transparency and openness of the decision-making. Moreover, it reveals a conception of democracy that reduces civic participation to elections, disregarding the ongoing need for public involvement. Especially for a project of this scale, with substantial implications for the environment and regional quality of life, a broader consideration of all voices would not only be desirable – it would be essential. Author: AI-Translation - Michael Thurm | 15.12.2024 |
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