Schwesig Criticizes Parts of Pension Reform Concept
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister President Schwesig (SPD) has criticized parts of the pension reform concept.
Category Politics
Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Steinbrück urges SPD to reform and reconnect with society
Former German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück (SPD) sees significant deficits in Germany but also reasons for optimism. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, he called on his party to care for various parts of society again.
E5 States: Merz Wants to Strengthen NATO Before Summit
Two weeks before the NATO summit in Ankara, the heads of state and government of the E5 group in Berlin have spoken out in favor of renewing the alliance. Merz said the partners wanted to strengthen the alliance and expand its European pillar.
Coalition Against Expropriation: Berlin Election Campaign in Focus
An unusual coalition has formed in the Berlin election campaign to prevent the expropriation of housing companies.
EU Ambassadors Agree to Extend Russia Sanctions by One Year
EU ambassadors have approved a 12-month extension of economic sanctions against Russia, Ukrinform reports, citing an informed source in Brussels.
Former Chancellor Scholz to Lead New Development Commission
Germany's cabinet has appointed a new development policy commission, to be co-chaired by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and former Costa Rican Laura Chinchilla.
Merkel Portrait for Chancellery Ancestral Gallery Completed
Five years after the end of her 16-year chancellorship, Angela Merkel has had her portrait painted for the ancestral gallery in the Federal Chancellery. The painting by 28-year-old artist Jérémy Queyras is to be unveiled on June 30, as reported by "Zeit."
Merz Welcomes Winners of European Competition at Chancellery
Friedrich Merz received the winners of the 73rd European Competition at the Chancellery in Berlin. Around 75,000 young people took part in this year's edition.
German government educates about disinformation and shows countermeasures
The German government is informing on its website about disinformation, how it works, and the countermeasures being taken. Especially since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the targeted spread of false information has increased.
Raid in Berlin: Investigations Against Russian on Suspicion of Sabotage
The German Federal Public Prosecutor's Office had private premises of a Russian in Berlin and a company in Frankfurt searched on Wednesday morning. The Russian is being investigated, among other things, for aiding and abetting anti-constitutional sabotage.
German government agrees on Infrastructure Future Act
The German government has agreed on a draft for the 'Infrastructure Future Act'. Federal Transport Minister Schnieder calls it a 'paradigm shift' for rail and road construction projects.
Pistorius finally halts F126 frigate project
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has terminated the billion-euro F126 frigate project. According to Tagesschau, the ministry confirmed the withdrawal from building the navy's largest warships.
Prien opposes social media ban for children
German Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) speaks out against a blanket social media ban for children. Instead, she advocates age-appropriate media use and is set to receive recommendations from an expert commission today.
Lower Saxony: State Parliament Passes Modernized Water Act
The Lower Saxony state parliament has passed a modernized water act aimed at improving the protection of water resources. Not all lawmakers voted in favor, as reported by NDR.
Merz goes all-in on pension reform, promises prosperity for youth
Friedrich Merz (CDU) wants to make pension reform the turning point of his chancellorship and announces a revival of Ludwig Erhard's policies. According to a report, he is banking on full implementation of the 33 proposals from an expert commission.
France: Ministers must undergo drug tests
French Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ordered unannounced drug tests for cabinet members and senior officials.
Woidke Calls for Including All Professional Groups in Statutory Pension
Brandenburg's Minister Dietmar Woidke has called for a comprehensive reform of the statutory pension system, urging the inclusion of all professional groups. He made the remarks while presenting a report by the pension commission.
Patient Ombudsman Advocates for Opt-Out Organ Donation
In the debate over a potential paradigm shift in organ donation, the German government's patient ombudsman, Schwartze, is advocating for the so-called opt-out solution.
Linke leader Pantisano faces internal criticism after calling CDU fascist
Luigi Pantisano, co-chair of the Left Party, has sparked a fierce internal backlash by labeling the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) as fascist. According to Spiegel, several top candidates and members distanced themselves from the remark during a campaign event in Magdeburg.
DGB chief Fahimi rejects key pension commission recommendations
Yasmin Fahimi, chair of the German Trade Union Federation (DGB), has rejected central recommendations from the pension commission. Instead of raising the retirement age or cutting pension levels, she calls for stabilizing the system through more contributors.
Federal Judge Halts Investigations into Trump Opponents in Minnesota
A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration's investigations into politicians in Minnesota, accusing the government of using the probes for intimidation.
Burnham supporters divided over chancellor pick
Andy Burnham's backers are split between Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband for the chancellor role, sparking a briefing war, the Guardian reports.
AfD Leads Poll for State Election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Three months before the state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD is leading in a poll. The SPD of Manuela Schwesig is catching up.
Disability Equality Act: Activists Demand More Obligations for Companies
The German government is planning a reform of the Disability Equality Act. Disability rights activists criticize that the draft contains hardly any binding requirements for the private sector.
Germany to acquire stake in tank maker KNDS
The German government is taking a stake in the Franco-German tank manufacturer KNDS, signaling that main battle tanks remain relevant for future warfare despite drones and cyber threats.
Germany and France Agree on KNDS Stake
Germany and France have reached an agreement on the federal government's stake in the German-French defense company KNDS. Government spokesman Kornelius announced in Berlin that the federal government aims to acquire a 40 percent stake.
One Third of German MPs Earn Additional Income
More than a third of members of the German Bundestag have reported additional income or benefits in kind during the current legislative term, according to an analysis by Abgeordnetenwatch and Spiegel.
Pantisano apologizes for calling CDU fascist
Luigi Pantisano, the newly elected co-leader of Germany's Left Party, has apologized for accusing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of pursuing fascist policies.
Unions and Employers Consult with Head of Chancellery Frei
Representatives of unions and business associations are meeting with Head of the Chancellery Thorsten Frei (CDU) at the Chancellery on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the federal government's reform plans. Friedrich Merz (CDU) is not taking part in the meeting.
Merz to Review Social Programs for Cuts
Friedrich Merz (CDU) wants to review several social programs to relieve municipalities. He made the announcement during the federal government's open day in Berlin.
Young Greens Reject Retirement at 70, Call for Stabilizing Statutory Pension
A group of younger Green Party lawmakers is opposing a rise in the retirement age to 70. According to a position paper, they instead demand measures to secure the statutory pension system.
Daniel Günther Calls for Resignation of Left Party Co-Chair Pantisano
Schleswig-Holstein's Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) has demanded the resignation of Luigi Pantisano, the newly elected co-chair of the Left Party, after Pantisano compared the CDU to fascists in a newspaper interview.
Pistorius: Hormuz mission mandate completely open before summer break
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has expressed caution about a quick parliamentary decision on a Bundeswehr deployment in the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 80,000 visitors at German government open house
Tens of thousands of people visited the German government's open house in Berlin over the weekend, despite intense heat and occasional storms. The government counted more than 80,000 guests, according to its own figures.
Merz drops charges for insults
Friedrich Merz says he no longer files criminal complaints for insults, and is open to debating the law protecting politicians from defamation.
Far-right Free Saxons challenge mayoral election in Aue
The far-right Free Saxons party is contesting the official result of the mayoral election in Aue-Bad Schlema, where CDU candidate Marcus Hoffmann won the runoff against Stefan Hartung of the Free Saxons.
Dobrindt wants to expand deportations to Afghanistan
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) plans to significantly increase the number of deportations to Afghanistan. Three charter flights per month would be possible, a ministry spokesperson told the German Press Agency.
Pension Commission Proposes Raising Retirement Age and Introducing Funded Pensions
Germany's pension commission has proposed raising the retirement age and introducing a funded pension scheme to stabilize the system. The government is now tasked with implementing the reforms.
Left Party criticizes pension commission: Cuts at expense of low earners
The Left Party has sharply criticized the proposals of the pension commission. Pension policy spokesperson Sarah Vollath accuses the commission of massive pension cuts that would hit low earners hardest.
Open Day: German Government Invites Visitors on Sunday
The German government is opening its doors to visitors on Sunday. At the same time, the National Veterans' Day is taking place, as reported by Deutschlandfunk.