Wasted taxpayers' money
Germany’s Taxpayer’s Association has pinpointed one hundred cases of waste of public funds throughout the past year. Here are some examples from their annual report.
Eurohawk surveillance drone: 300 million euros
When the German defence minister pulled the plug on the development of the unmanned surveillance drone, he was criticized for not having done so earlier. Why spend 300 million euros ($410 million) on technology useable only in an aircraft for which it would be impossible to get flight clearance?
Berlin's incomplete airport: 35 million - per month!
The opening of Berlin's new airport was planned for 2012, but has been delayed repeatedly as more and more construction problems have emerged. It is now expected to cost at least five billion euros - twice as much as planned. And as the opening date is unclear, the Taxpayer's Association has calculated that each month of delay bumps the bill up by another 35 million euros.
Empty hospital: Two million euros per year
The openig of the surgery center of the University Clinic in Düsserldorf has also been held up by construction flaws, such the violation of fire saftey regulations. While doctors and patients are left waiting, costs for cleaning, heating and security personnel for the empty building amount to two million euros per year.
Pretty apples and carrots: 500,000 euros
Carrots are orange, apple juice is a greenish yellow. Wouldn't it please the eye to have more variety? Those were the thoughts in the German science ministry that led to an investment into farming projects: 230,000 euros to grow organic carrots in purple, white and red, and 270,000 euros to develop red apple juice.
Bridges for bats: 435.000 euros
The municipality of Biberach invested into two bridges for bats - so they'd be able to safely cross a road. Although bats can fly, conservationists argued that several sub-species need to be able to hold onto things to make their way across terrain. There is as of yet no scientific research suggesting that the bats will really use the bridges.
Saving sixty snails: 300,000 euros
The construction of a major distribution facility for environmental products came to a grinding halt in Hamburg in 2008, when environmentalists spotted several rare snails (planorbarius corneus) on the site. Following extensive research and planning, 60 snails were moved to a new home. Research into the effectiveness of the measure is expected to further delay construction until 2015.
Superfluous street signs: 5,000 euros
A merciless reminder of no-parking zone: Driving through the Tegel Forest in Berlin every three seconds there is a sign telling you not to park your car here. Two signs - not 50 - are required.
Pampering diplomats: 275,000 euros
Some embassy employees in Berlin see their diplomatic immunity as a free pass for traffic violations. By failing to cash in on parking tickets, fines for speeding and other traffic violations committed by diplomats, the German capital loses out on 275,000 euros per year.
Music gone with the wind: 40,000 euros
As part of a campaign to promote wind energy in Germany's windy northern regions, the environment ministry invested into developing a wind organ. The plan was to outfit wind turbines with tiny high-tech whistles which could be switched on and off via remote control. The project lost steam swiftly - and has now been shelved.
In its 2013 report, called the "black book," Germany's Taxpayer's Association (BdSt) listed about 100 cases of failed public investments.
Top of the list are examples of mismanagement in the construction or renovation of public buildings across the country, as building and infrastructure projects tend to surpass expectations.
This year's report offers little mileage for major outrage, but does list several projects that show that money from public coffers may not always be spent wisely.