Nürburgring insolvency proceedings

2.7.2015

Question for written answer P-010666-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Werner Langen (PPE)

Following the insolvency of the company which operated the Nürburgring in Rhineland-Palatinate, the Land government in power at the time assured the contractors and service providers that their financial claims would have priority. They have still not been paid, however. The current Land government now claims that it would be in breach of EC law on state aid if it were to designate the contractors as the main creditors. For that reason, and as confirmed by judgments handed down by the European Court of Justice, it maintains that the EU is responsible for determining the order of seniority of the creditors.

In the light of the above:

• 1.Is the Commission aware of the statement made by the Rhineland-Palatinate Landgovernment?
• 2.Is it true that EC law on state aid will provide the basis for determining the order of seniority of the creditors?
• 3.What are the implications for the contractors and service providers who are still owed up to EUR 20 million?