Saarland’s FDP defends free parking to revive struggling city centers

Why is Saarland’s FDP fighting to keep parking free? They say it’s the lifeline for struggling downtowns—and a fair choice for drivers.

, and Administrator

2025 November 15 . 9:21 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a parking are in that area cars are parked.

Saarland’s FDP defends free parking to revive struggling city centers

The Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Saarland has recently expressed its stance on mobility and parking regulations in the region. The party acknowledges the importance of cars, especially in areas with poor public transport, and advocates for affordable, reliable, and freely choosable mobility options. It also considers free parking crucial for revitalising inner cities in the region.

Thomas Bläsi, the transport spokesperson for FDP Saar, has publicly defended the free parking regulations in St. Ingbert and Homburg against criticism from the German environmental umbrella organization (DUH). Bläsi argues that blanket bans or increased parking fees, as suggested by DUH, are not the solution. Instead, FDP promotes a balanced transport policy that takes into account ecological, economic, and social aspects.

Tobias Kuhn, another FDP Saar transport spokesman, echoes Bläsi's sentiments. He believes in flexible, locally-adapted parking solutions that cater to the specific needs of each city. The party opposes DUH's criticism, stating that free parking is essential for strengthening inner cities in Saarland.

FDP Saar continues to advocate for a mobility policy that balances environmental concerns with the needs of its citizens. The party believes in the importance of cars in regions with weak public transport and supports free parking regulations as a means to boost inner-city economies. It opposes blanket bans or increased parking fees, instead favouring locally-adapted solutions.