Germany sees Stuttgart rail development become hot election issue

Opponents of a multibillion-euro rail modernisation project in Stuttgart were gearing up to take to the streets tonight to demonstrate against a scheme that could determine the future of Angela Merkel's government. Riot police were bracing themselves for clashes with the protesters following demonstrations that turned ugly last week, when more than 130 people were injured after police used water cannon, batons and pepper spray to break up the crowds. Opponents of the 10-year scheme to revamp the railway station in the south-western city, that began last month, argue it is overly extravagant at a time of austerity, unnecessarily ambitious and will change beyond recognition the listed station that was built in 1928. Advocates of the plan, including many from Chancellor Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), say it will transform Stuttgart into a major transport hub at the heart of one of Europe's longest high-speed lines. The project would connect Stuttgart to Paris, Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest and, say transport experts, would increase the efficiency of rail travel and boost economic growth in the region, which is home to carmakers Daimler and BMW. It involves 16 tunnels, 18 bridges, 40 miles of new rail lines, three new stations and an estimated price tag of 4.1bn euros (£3.54bn). But with almost two-thirds of Stuttgarters said to be against the project according to opinion polls and with increasing numbers of middle-class residents – many of them CDU voters – taking to the streets to voice their discontent, it is set to be a central issue in regional elections next year. Merkel has admitted it is likely be a decisive factor in the election's outcome, which could cause the CDU to lose power in the state of Baden-Württemberg in March, where it has governed for 57 years. But she insists it is vital for the modernisation of Germany. The loss of Baden-Wurttemberg could have devastating consequences for the CDU on a federal level where it is in a joint coalition with the pro-business Free Liberals. The Stuttgart 21 project has been made headlines following last week's demonstrations – triggered by the felling of trees in a central city park to make way for the new network – in which many children and elderly people were involved. Television pictures showed people singing the national anthem as they faced water cannon and others with injuries, including bloody eyes. The head of German railways, Rüdiger Grube, has been given round-the-clock police protection after receiving death threats from Stuttgart 21 opponents. His wife and two children have been taken to a secret location, according to a spokesman.