Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has defended Tesla's settlement in Brandenburg in the face of growing protests. “Anyone who wants a strong economy in our country, which in turn is the basis of our good development, must recognize that Tesla is an important part of it. That's why I'm grateful to Tesla that, even after the terrorist attack, there was a clear commitment to the Grünheide location.” said Woidke in the state parliament in Potsdam. “All other federal states and all of Europe still envy us for this settlement.”
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Protest camp is allowed to stay for now
Tesla opened the factory in Grünheide two years ago and employs around 12,500 people there. Since the end of February, environmental activists have been protesting against a planned expansion of Tesla to include a freight station, which would require clearing forest. According to a court decision, the protest camp with tree houses can remain in place, at least for the time being. On March 5th, previously unknown perpetrators set fire to an electricity pylon that is part of the electric car factory's power supply. Due to a power outage, production was on hold for almost a week. The left-wing extremist “Vulkan Group” said it was responsible for the attack.
The head of government sees “increasingly aggressive forms of protest” and, in addition to Tesla, also referred to attacks and attacks in recent years, for example against the Schwarze Pumpe power plant and the PCK oil refinery in Schwedt. “Attacks on our economy are attacks on all of us,” said Woidke. “We cannot tolerate such things.”
The Prime Minister called for more openness to investments in the business location. “Protest and criticism is legitimate,” said Woidke. But: “If this country is to have a good future, further investments must be made. (…) We cannot secure our prosperity without anyone noticing.” This applies to industrial jobs as well as to a railway expansion and the construction of wind and solar systems for more climate protection.
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(fpi)