Germany news: Trial starts of ex-Transport Minister Scheuer

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Former Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer stands accused of making false statements in connection with a failed scheme to charge foreign motorists highway tolls 
• Germany has had one of the best cherry harvests in years
• Ever more people in Germany are using buses and trains for short trips, according to the Federal Statistical Office
• German car exports sank considerably in the first seven months of the year, new figures show
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under growing pressure after his CDU was badly defeated in two state elections

Here is a roundup of the top stories from and about Germany on September 21, 2026:

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Skip next section Ex-Transport Minister Scheuer goes on trial for perjury

Published September 21, 2026last updated September 21, 2026

Ex-Transport Minister Scheuer goes on trial for perjury

A perjury trial against former Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer kicked off at the Berlin District Court on Monday.

Scheuer and his co-defendant Gerhard Schulz, a former state secretary, are accused of having lied to a parliamentary committee investigating a failed scheme some seven years ago to levy a highway toll on foreign motorists.

Both of them deny the charges made against them.

What are the charges against Scheuer and Schulz?

The two are accused of lying to the committee about having signed a contract with a company to run the toll operations despite knowing that the European Court of Justice (ICJ) was likely to declare the scheme illegal.

Scheur's Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of the Christian Democrats (CDU) currently led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz,  had devised a plan to levy tolls on all drivers but then compensate German motorists by reducing their motor vehicle taxes.

The scheme was shot down in 2019 by the ICJ for breaching EU rules.

But by that time, the Transport Ministry under Scheuer had already signed binding contracts with the operators who were to be tasked with executing the plan.

The German government was then forced to pay €243 million ($283 million at current exchange rates) in damages to the companies involved.

Jail sentences possible

The trial is planned to take place over 12 days, with a verdict expected on November 25.

If found guilty, the accused could face jail sentences ranging from three months to five years.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Mx20

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

September 21, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

The DW newsroom on the banks of the Rhine in Bonn wishes all its readers guten Tag at the start of a new week.

Among the big topics of the day in Germany is the start of a trial against former Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer in connection with a failed car toll scheme that cost the government hundreds of millions of euros some seven years ago.

He stands accused of making false statements before a parliamentary committee investigating the issue.

In more positive news, cherry (and pear) farmers have something to smile about this year: They have had their best harvest in years owing to some mild spring weather.

And we will also, of course, be looking at the fallout from recent state elections that have brought bad news for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU).