German Chemical Industry Faces Ongoing Slump as Pharma Adds Small Growth in Q4 2025
The chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Germany remains in a difficult position. In Q4 2025 the chemicals sector recorded declines in production, prices and sales, while the pharmaceutical industry added modest growth, helping to stabilize the overall picture. The Chemical Industry Association (VCI) announced on Friday that capacity utilisation of chemical plants stayed…
March 13, 2026
GPs Warn Budget Cuts Will Worsen Care Gaps Amid Rising Part‑Time Doctors
Faced with shortages in outpatient care despite a rise in the number of doctors, the Association of General Practitioners warns that the situation could worsen. Last year, for the first time in a while, more physicians worked as employees or on part‑time contracts. “This is a trend we have been warning about for years” said the association’s federal chair…
In light of the persistently tense economic climate, the German Confederation of Trade Unions (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, DGB) has advocated for extending electricity subsidies for businesses. DGB board member Stefan Körzell told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that although the industrial electricity price would take effect from 2026, companies would only see…
March 13, 2026
Körzell Warns Corporate‑Driven Social Overhaul Harms Workers as DGB Accuses Union of Ignoring Wealth and Inheritance Tax Debate
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) accuses the Union of refusing to engage in debate over the potential reintroduction of a wealth tax and a reform of the inheritance tax.Stefan Körzell, a DGB board member, told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that politics is delaying a constitutionally‑compliant wealth tax and that the CDU presents itself as a protector…
March 13, 2026
Dröge Defends Colleague Amid Controversy Over 8‑Year‑Old CDU Hailing Video
Katharina Dröge, chairwoman of the Green parliamentary group, defended her colleague Zoe Mayer after criticism over a repost of an eight‑year‑old video featuring Baden‑Württemberg CDU candidate Manuel Hagel. She told the German editorial network that when a woman who points out a man’s misconduct is attacked, “something fundamentally wrong is happening”.…
March 13, 2026
RWI Economist Warns of Skyrocketing Inflation If Iran War Extends Past Four Weeks
Torsten Schmidt, chief economist at the RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, warned that if the war with Iran lasts longer than four weeks, inflation could spike. “High oil prices are driving consumer prices up. With a longer conflict, inflation could temporarily rise to six percent this year” he told the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition).…
March 13, 2026
Hubig Demands Year-Long Rule to Cap Daily Gas Price Hikes
Justizministerin Stefanie Hubig (SPD) says she wants the planned rule that will allow fuel stations to raise their prices only once a day to be in effect for at least a year.“First of all, I would say we need this rule now, during the crisis, the Iran war” she told the “Berlin Playbook” podcast by Politico on Friday. “I expect we will keep it…
March 13, 2026
CSU Promises New Tenant Safeguards in Heating Modernization Law
German CSU secretary‑general Martin Huber has pledged that the new building‑modernisation law will include tenant‑protection measures. “For us it is important that the heating cellar remains a private matter” he told the weekly editions of the Mediengruppe Bayern. “And tenants will of course not be overlooked; the new law contains several mechanisms to…
Philipp Türmer, the chief of the SPD’s youth wing (Juso), has urged a price cut on the Deutschlandticket in response to the sharp rise in fuel prices. He told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group – specifically the Saturday editions – that commuters are feeling the impact from two fronts. “Gas stations are being gouged by oil companies that…
March 13, 2026
40 Percent of German Public Sector Workers Clock Overtime, Officials Report Growing Frustration
According to a special analysis of the “Good Work” index from the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB), roughly 40 % of public‑sector employees routinely work overtime. Of those, 22 % average one to five overtime hours each week, while another 17 % work more than five hours beyond what is contractually agreed. Many are dissatisfied with their hours: 56 % of…
March 13, 2026
Reichinnek Fires on Social Media Ban for Youth, Warns of Rising Mental Health Crisis
Heidi Reichinnek, the chairwoman of The Left’s faction in the Bundestag, sharply criticized the federal government in the debate over a social‑media ban for children. “Especially mental health and loneliness among young people are burning issues” she told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” on its free weekend editions. “But instead of…
March 13, 2026
Oil Prices Alarm German Builders as Energy Costs Could Reverse Construction Recovery
The rise in energy prices could once again drive up construction costs in Germany. Matthias Frederichs, chief executive of the building materials association BBS, warned that “increasing energy prices can put building‑material costs back under pressure”. He added that many companies are currently covered by long‑term supply contracts, but the real question is how…
