German Rail (DB) ordered the suspension of work and tendering for
further contracts in April, following the appointment of a new
government in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The newly-elected
centre-left coalition of Greens and Social Democrats had planned a
stress test to further scrutinise the viability of the project and
identify any unforeseen financial risks.

However, because this study would not be completed until next month,
the state would be liable to compensate DB for the delay. With the bill
likely to run into tens of millions of Euros, the government informed a
meeting of Stuttgart 21 stakeholders on Friday that it would not delay
the project any longer. The government had hoped DB would itself delay
construction until the stress test had been completed, but the railway
confirmed immediately after the meeting that work would resume as soon
as possible.

However, there may be further delays, because the state government has
warned that a revised planning order may be required because the
groundwater levels will be reduced by more than had originally been
stipulated.

The Green Party has claimed opposition to Stuttgart 21 gave it a large
boost in the recent state election, which toppled the Christian
Democrat Union after 57 years in power. Regular demonstrations have
taken place in the city, the largest of which attracted almost 100,000
protestors.