Ute Bonde, the Managing Director of the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB), is set to become the new Berlin Transport Senator. The decision comes after the resignation of Manja Schreiner following a plagiarism scandal. Bonde is expected to be sworn in at the next session of the Abgeordnetenhaus on May 23. The 57-year-old Christian Democrat has a background in law and has held various positions in Berlin’s transport and administrative sectors.
Bonde’s appointment is seen as a signal of the government’s commitment to expanding public transport and promoting environmental protection. Critics had accused the previous administration of prioritizing policies that favored cars over ecological considerations. Schreiner, who resigned from her position as Transport Senator on Tuesday, had been under scrutiny for issues with her doctoral dissertation. The University of Rostock revoked her doctorate due to inadequately attributed text passages in her 2007 thesis, leading to her resignation.
Bonde is a member of the CDU and has been the Managing Director of the VBB since May 2023. Prior to that, she held positions at the Berlin Transport Company and worked in various administrative roles. The plagiarism scandal involving Schreiner is not the first to rock Berlin politics, with current Economy Senator and former Mayor Franziska Giffey also facing similar accusations that resulted in the revocation of her doctorate and subsequent resignation as Federal Minister for Family Affairs in 2021.
Bonde’s experience in the transport sector and her background in law make her a fitting candidate for the role of Transport Senator. Her appointment is expected to bring a renewed focus on public transport infrastructure and environmental initiatives in Berlin. The timing of her appointment, following Schreiner’s resignation, indicates a desire by the government to move past the recent scandal and focus on implementing policies that benefit the city and its residents.
The decision to appoint Bonde as the new Transport Senator has been met with both support and criticism. Supporters see her as a qualified and experienced candidate who can bring a fresh perspective to the role, while critics question the timing of her appointment and whether she will be able to effectively lead the city’s transport initiatives. Bonde’s tenure as Transport Senator will be closely watched as she navigates the challenges of overseeing one of Berlin’s most crucial sectors.
As Bonde prepares to take on the role of Transport Senator, she faces the task of addressing pressing issues such as improving public transport services, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable mobility options. Her leadership will be key in shaping the future of transport in Berlin and ensuring that the city remains a model for sustainable urban development. With her background and experience, Bonde is poised to make a significant impact on the city’s transport policies and initiatives.
