German Greens demand speed limit on autobahns

Germany’s autobahns could soon have a speed limit imposed if the leader of the opposition Green Party has his way.

Robert Habeck said on Tuesday his party will demand a national speed limit of 130kmh (80mph) as its price for serving in any coalition after next year’s elections.

The Greens are currently in second place in the polls and could end up as kingmakers next year.

“A speed limit will probably be the first act of a new government if it includes the Greens,” Mr Habeck told The Pioneer website.

Germany is one of the last countries in the world without a national speed limit.

More than half of the autobahn motorway network remains unrestricted, and it is not unusual to encounter Mercedes and Porsches driving at speeds in excess of 150mph.

The Green Party has long demanded a speed limit, which it argues would contribute to reducing emissions.

“More and more people want a speed limit. Who is actually arguing against one?” Mr Habeck said.

A study published earlier this year by Germany’s environment agency found that a speed limit of 130kmh would reduce CO2 emissions by 5 per cent.

But opinion on the topic is considerably more divided than Mr Habeck suggests. A poll carried out in May by the ADAC motoring association found 47 per cent in favour of a speed limit and 46 per cent opposed.

The issue is one that has long polarised Germany, and Mr Habeck is taking an electoral risk by making the issue a condition of his party serving in any coalition.

Many believe the Green Party’s moment has come. It is currently second in the opinion polls on 16.5 per cent, and it has arguably taken the place of the Social Democrats (SPD) as the mainstream party of the German centre-Left.

But the Greens have seen some of their support drain away in recent months as voters have flocked back to Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

The CDU is currently way out in front of the pack on 37 per cent — which would be enough to give it a choice of coalition partners.