Advocates on the political left push for affordable highway restroom services and state ownership of convenience zones
The Left Party Advocates for Nationalization of Highway Rest Areas and Free Toilets
In a proposal put forward by Janis Ehling, the federal manager of the Left Party, the party has called for the re-nationalization of highway rest areas. This move aims to ensure free and accessible facilities for all travelers, with a focus on improving cleanliness and maintenance standards.
Ehling, in an interview with "Stern," expressed that traveling should not be a luxury, and using the toilet should not involve cost. The Left Party believes that the privatization of highway rest areas, which took place in 1998, was a mistake. Currently, travelers pay approximately one euro for using toilets at most rest areas.
The Left Party argues that the privatization of these facilities only benefits shady financial investors who draw extreme profits. To avoid such practices, the party proposes to gradually reverse or place under public control the rest area operator Tank & Rast.
Ehling also called for an end to the Sanifair system, suggesting that responsibility for rest areas should return to the public sector. The party demands more transparency and control over the earnings from the toilets at rest areas.
In addition, Ehling emphasized the need for better working conditions for cleaning staff at the rest areas. The Left Party considers the current practice of charging for toilet usage impractical and a rip-off.
To fund these improvements, the Left Party aims to finance the re-nationalization of highway rest areas using the special fund for infrastructure. The party is committed to fair, social, and clean infrastructure for all travelers.
While the provided search results do not directly provide a statement from The Left Party specifically on highway rest areas or toilets, this position aligns with The Left Party’s common approach to public services. The party typically calls for increased public spending to enhance public facilities and infrastructure, ensuring they remain accessible to all users without charge or commercial barriers.
If more detail is required about concrete legislative proposals or statements by The Left Party on this specific issue, it may be necessary to consult their official platform or recent parliamentary proposals, as the provided search results do not include direct citations on this matter.
- The Left Party's policy on highway rest areas and toilets includes a call for re-nationalization to eliminate charges and ensure cleanliness and fair maintenance standards, as Prioritizing social needs, Ehling believes traveling should not be a luxury, and using public facilities like toilets should not involve costs.
- The Left Party's stance on privatization of highway rest areas extends to advocating for an end to the Sanifair system and a return of responsibility to the public sector; they propose reversing the privatization of rest area operator Tank & Rast, aiming for more transparency, control, and improved working conditions for staff.
