Ifo Cuts Growth Forecast Amid Middle East Conflict
The Ifo Institute in Munich has lowered its growth forecast because of the war in the Middle East. A short‑term rise in energy prices would slow this year’s GDP growth by roughly 0.2 percentage points compared with pre‑war estimates, leaving the institute predicting 0.8 % growth for this year and 1.2 % next year. “We expect the inflation rate to climb to just…
March 12, 2026
Katharina Dröge says Left foreign policy blocks future red red green coalition
Karina Dröge, chair of the Green parliamentary group, argues that a future red‑red‑green coalition at the federal level cannot be achieved unless the Left offers a new foreign policy.In a panel discussion hosted by the taz with Left party leader Ines Schwerdtner, she said: “Telling the Ukrainians that they should just talk with Putin is the most cynical, coldest form…
March 12, 2026
Markus Soder Urges Permanent Electricity Tax Cut for All
Markus Söder, the head of the CSU, says he wants the promised electricity‑tax cut to be applied to everyone. In an interview with RTL and ntv, he said, “I am also very much in favour of permanently lowering the electricity tax for everyone in the debates over the coming weeks. That is a clear promise, and it must come through”. He added that he has been fighting…
March 12, 2026
DAX Opens Lower as Oil Prices Surge
The German stock index opened the trading day on Thursday in the red. By 9:30 a.m. the DAX was quoted at about 23,535 points, representing a decline of roughly 0.4 percent from the previous closing level. At the top of the daily price list were Zalando, Rheinmetall and Hannover Rück, while BMW, Bayer and Continental trailed at the bottom. Brent crude continued to climb,…
March 12, 2026
Fraunhofer President Demands Protective Measures Against Knowledge Drain
Holger Hanselka, president of the Fraunhofer Society, has called for sweeping protective measures to shield Germany from a massive exodus of knowledge. In an interview with the “Handelsblatt”, he urged the federal government and the Länder to make a “binding” determination of which countries, organizations and companies, and on which key topics a…
March 12, 2026
Public Per‑Student Spending Rises to 10,500 Euros in 2024 for Public Schools
Public budgets spent an average of €10,500 per pupil at state‑run schools in 2024. According to provisional data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday, this nominal figure-roughly €700, or seven percent-was higher than the amount in 2023. The jump is the strongest since 2019 and is largely driven by rising personnel costs. Three‑quarters of total…
March 12, 2026
Trump Administration Urges Berlin to Grant US Exception in EU Deforestation Law
The U.S. government is tightening its pressure on Germany and the EU to allow a special exemption for American firms under the Anti‑Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). According to reports from “Tagesspiegel Background”, a meeting is scheduled for today with representatives of the Trump administration and several German federal ministries, including the Ministry of…
March 12, 2026
G-BA Chairman Spurs Debate Over Free Spouse Insurance in German Health Reform
Chairman of the Joint Federal Committee (G‑BA), Josef Hecken, supports ending the provision that allows spouses to be covered without having to pay premiums. “I would personally welcome a discussion about the merits of a contribution‑free spouse insurance” he told Politico. He believes it is reasonable for a spouse who is not in employment to pay at least a…
March 12, 2026
German Police Union warns of Iranian terror cells amid rising European security threat from new exodus wave
In light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, the head of the German federal police union, Heiko Teggatz, warned of significant security risks stemming from a potential new wave of refugees moving from Iran to Europe.Teggatz told “Handelsblatt” that supporters of the tyrannical regime might already be living in Europe and in Germany. He stressed that…
March 12, 2026
Lufthansa Pilots Strike Commences Majority of Flights Planned
On Thursday morning, the two‑day strike announced by the union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) began at Lufthansa. Flights operated by Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Passenger that leave German airports are being halted, and Thursday also sees disruptions to Lufthansa Cityline services. Flights to and from the Middle‑East crisis zone are not affected by the strike. The union says…
March 12, 2026
Jusos Urge SPD to Return to Roots After Devastating Baden-Württemberg Election Loss
Juso leader Philipp Türmer said the Social Democrats lack credibility after a devastating defeat in Baden‑Württemberg. “We have to be a credible party of the working class again” he told the “Meine schwerste Entscheidung” podcast run by the Funke Media Group (Thursday editions). “We need to tackle the distribution and justice issues that are…
March 12, 2026
German Cartel Office Warns Of Political Pressure Undermining Competition Agency Independence
The head of Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, Andreas Mundt, warns that political influence is increasingly undermining competition authorities worldwide. “The world has become more complex for competition regulators” he told the specialist service “Tagesspiegel Background”. “When political blocs focus more on their own interests, it…
