Munich Airport third runway may see significant delays

Germany’s Munich Airport will likely see a significant delay — if not an outright stop — of plans to build a third runway following regional elections in Bavaria Oct. 14. Following state elections, ruling conservative party CSU lost its absolute majority in parliament and now must form a coalition. CSU expressed a strong preference to partner with a group called Freie Waehler (FW, free voters), initially a lose conglomerate of independent local politicians. FW became the third largest force in Bavaria’s parliament Landtag. While conservative, it is also strongly opposed to planned expansion of Munich Airport, a favorite project of PP Markus Soeder (CSU). Observers believe Soeder will be prepared to delay a decision until after the next five-year electoral term to get FW on board. <br/>