Investment Plan for Fichtelberg — Left-Wing Politicians Call It Blackmail

Rico Gebhardt, a member of the state parliament for the Left Party, has criticized the actions of the Gläß family of investors in Oberwiesenthal as “blackmail-like.” Specifically, the issue concerns an action plan for the further development of tourism on the Fichtelberg, particularly with regard to the urgently needed modernization of the ski resort.

The documents, which had been kept from the public, were not handed over to the city and the city council members until Monday afternoon. A press release on the matter states: “We are aiming for our proposal to be approved at the city council meeting on September 29, 2026.” That is, just one day later. 

“City council members, especially those serving in an honorary capacity, need the opportunity to inform themselves before making such far-reaching decisions,” Gebhardt emphasizes, urging the utmost skepticism. It stands to reason that, following the privatization of the ski resort last year, some of the risks are now to be shifted back onto the city. 

“I still consider it irresponsible to place ourselves in a position of dependence on a single family,” explains the Left Party representative: “The highest mountain does not belong in private hands, but should be owned by the Free State!”

The modernization will initially involve the construction of a new lift, including a snowmaking system and a reservoir. The cost is estimated to be in the tens of millions. The investor, who acquired the previously municipally-owned FSB Fichtelberg Schwebebahn GmbH a year ago, is pushing for a joint operating company with the city of Oberwiesenthal.

What is Oberwiesenthal’s mayor’s position on this?

The handover of the documents regarding the action plan was apparently not coordinated with the city in advance—which is why Oberwiesenthal’s mayor, Jens Benedict, was absent from the meeting.

When asked, he himself did not comment in detail on a possible joint operating company with the private lift operator Oberwiesenthal. He stated in an email that a conversation took place between him and investor Rainer Gläß in the middle of the month. During that conversation, it was agreed “not to answer any press inquiries regarding this sensitive topic of the ‘operating company’ or to issue any public statements on the matter for the time being.” Benedict further explained: “This was made clear to me once again in a letter from an attorney addressed to me dated September 18, 2026.”