Day: March 25, 2026
32 posts
Economists Split Over Government’s VAT Hike Proposal
Economists are split over the government’s proposal to raise the value‑added tax. “That would be a sensible step…
Lille Chosen as Headquarters for New European Customs Authority
The city of Lille in northern France has been chosen as the site for the future European Union…
Klingbeil Shifts Retirement Plan to Rely More on Contribution Years
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of the SPD said on Wednesday during a policy speech at the Bertelsmann Foundation…
Merz Says Germany Unfit to Defend Its Interests in Europe
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said on Wednesday that Germany is not currently “defence‑capable”. He told a parliamentary…
Left Party Demands Stronger Repair Rights as Affordability Gaps Remain Wide
The federal cabinet introduced a right to repair on Wednesday, but the Left feels it is still insufficient.…
Former ARD Host Georg Restle Criticizes ARD Hesitation Toward AfD
Georg Restle, the long‑time host of the ARD political magazine “Monitor”, is stepping down after fourteen years as…
DAX Stalls Near 23,000 as Midweek Gains Fade
On Wednesday the DAX kept its green trajectory until midday after a strong opening. By about 12:30 CET the…
Jan Bollinger Ousted as AfD RLP Parliamentary Group Leader Weeks After Election Victory
A few days after the AfD’s electoral success in Rhineland‑Palatinate, the state party chair and top candidate Jan Bollinger…
Germany’s Federal Cabinet Approves 2026 Climate Protection Plan
Germany’s federal cabinet has approved the 2026 Climate Protection Programme, which contains 67 measures intended to cut more…
CSU Opposes SPD Move to End Marital Tax Splitting
The CSU, which co‑chairs the federal coalition, sharply rejects the SPD’s proposal to eliminate marital tax splitting.“We are…
German Government Plans New Rules to Bolster Psychosocial Support for Crime Victims
The German federal government aims to strengthen psychosocial support for victims of crime. On Wednesday the cabinet introduced…
SPD Stands With President Steinmeier as Union Criticism Sparks Friction Within Party
The Union’s criticism of President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier has sparked unease within the SPD, according to a report by…
Merz Urges Faster Bureaucracy Rollback as Chancellor Promises Rapid Reform
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said he wants more speed in cutting bureaucracy. According to the “Rheinische Post”, he…
Germany Launches Grants to Power EV Charging in Multi-Unit Housing
The Federal Ministry of Transport has launched a new funding programme aimed at expanding electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure in…
Union Warns Teachers Face End Of Lifetime Appointments As Minister Plans Shift
Before Thursday’s education ministers’ conference, Maike Finnern, chairwoman of the Education and Science Union (GEW), warned that the move…
Russian Drone Hits Estonian Power Plant From Russian Airspace
An unmanned aerial vehicle coming from Russian airspace struck an Estonian power plant early Wednesday morning, the Estonian…
DAX Rises on Hope for Middle East Peace Gains at Market Open
30 a..m. German time-roughly 1.9 % above the previous day’s close. The biggest gains came from Siemens Energy, Infineon, and Siemens,…
Green Party Mulls Nationwide Speed Limit as Chair Katharina Dröge Calls for Action
Green Party parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge is calling for a nationwide speed limit in Germany. “A speed…
German Inland Shipping Transport Falls to New Low Down 1.3 Percent in 2025
In 2025, inland shipping in Germany carried 1.3 % less cargo than the previous year. According to Destatis, the…
Average Full‑Time Handwerker Earnings Fall Below 4,125 Euro in Germany This April 2025
In April 2025, full‑time workers who had completed a recognised vocational training in Germany earned an average gross wage…
Henkel CEO Signals Price Hikes Amid Iran War
Carsten Knobel, the chief executive of Henkel, which manufactures detergents such as Persil and Pril in Düsseldorf, has indicated that…
Green Data Centers Return to Gas as Operators Build Their Own Turbines Amid Renewable Mandates
Data‑center operators are planning their own gas power plants despite legal requirements for renewable energy. Handelsblatt reports that…
Koch Demands Merz, Klingbeil, Bas Steer Politicians Into Reform Risk
Roland Koch (CDU) has called on Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the SPD leaders Lars Klingbeil and Bärbel Bas to be ready…
CDU Social Wing Voices Doubt Over Planned VAT Rise
The CDU’s social policy wing expressed scepticism over the black‑red coalition’s proposal to raise the value‑added tax. “An…
Germany’s Finance Minister Targets Elimination of German Spousal Tax Splitting
Bundesfinanzminister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) appears poised to scrap Germany’s Ehegattensplitting (married‑couple tax split). The claim comes from the…
Fridays for Future Warns Germany Climate Plan Falls Short Amid Politician Moves
Before the federal government’s climate‑protection programme was presented by Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) on Wednesday, the climate‑action…
DUH Threatens Court Enforcement Over Missing Climate Measures in Germany’s 2026 Plan
The Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) urges the federal government to close the climate‑policy gap in its upcoming 2026 climate…
Trump Urges Hungary to Re‑Elect Orbán Ahead of Election
Two and a half weeks before Hungary’s parliamentary election, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a clear endorsement for incumbent…
Union & SPD Confident in Tougher Stance Against AfD a Year into New Bundestag
In the first year of the new Bundestag, the Union (CDU/CSU) and SPD confirm that their tougher stance…
Schröder Calls on SPD to Embrace a Bold New Agenda Program After Election Setbacks
After a streak of painful election defeats, former chancellor Gerhard Schröder urges the SPD to adopt a bold reform…
Economists and Politicians Call to Stop Teacher Civil Service Appointments Amid Rising Pension Costs
Facing growing spending on civil servants and their pensions, economists, politicians, and the Taxpayers’ Association are urging the…
Driving Teacher Union Criticizes New License Reform, Warns Safety Risks
Deputy chairman of the German Federation of Driving Schools (Bundesvereinigung der Fahrlehrerverbände, BVF), Kurt Bartels, has voiced concerns that…