Overview

• Rompf informed Patrick Schnieder and new DB chief Evelyn Palla that he will not be available to lead InfraGo, a decision both confirmed on Thursday.
• The EVG had mobilized against his nomination and even voted against Palla’s appointment to the DB top job to register their protest over Rompf.
• InfraGo’s leadership is now open, with Schnieder saying he will announce next steps shortly as the reshuffle timetable is thrown off.
• Reports say DB’s whistleblower system received compliance complaints tied to Rompf’s consulting work with Ifok, which has advised InfraGo, and the company declined to comment.
• Critics cite Rompf’s 2014–2019 DB Netz tenure and big projects such as Stuttgart 21 to argue he symbolized past mismanagement, intensifying the political blow to the minister.