Germany Today

German news in English

Friday, September 20, 2024

Thuringia Faces Political Standoff Over AfD Nominee

In Thuringia, Germany, a political standoff is brewing as the AfD, the strongest party in the state parliament, nominates Wiebke Muhsal for the position of Landtag President. The nomination has sparked controversy, as other parties, including the CDU and BSW, oppose electing an AfD representative.

7 h

Politics

Habeck Pushes for Relief on Grid Fees

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is advocating for financial relief for industries burdened by high electricity grid fees. During a visit to the steel manufacturer Georgsmarienhütte, Habeck emphasized the need for state subsidies to alleviate these costs, which are crucial for industrial investments.

7 h

Economy

Germany Boosts Military Aid to Ukraine

Germany is intensifying its military support for Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia. The German government has announced plans to deliver an additional €1.

11 h

World

Brandenburg Minister Calls to Abolish Asylum Rights

In the heated political climate of Brandenburg, just days before the state elections, Interior Minister Michael Stübgen has sparked controversy by advocating for the abolition of the current asylum rights enshrined in Germany's Basic Law. Stübgen, a member of the CDU, argues that the individual right to asylum is redundant, as the Geneva Refugee Convention already provides protection for those persecuted.

16 h

Politics

Ramelow Reflects on Political Legacy

Bodo Ramelow, the outgoing Minister-President of Thuringia, reflects on his political journey as he prepares to step down after a decade in office. Despite his party, Die Linke, suffering a significant electoral defeat, Ramelow remains composed, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the state over personal or party interests.

16 h

Politics

Brandenburg Braces for Oder Flood Threat

Brandenburg is on high alert as rising water levels in the Oder River prompt authorities to declare a Level 1 flood warning. The areas from Ratzdorf to Eisenhüttenstadt are particularly at risk, with expectations of flooding in meadows and riverbanks.

20 h

Environment

Merz Named CDU Chancellor Candidate

In a significant political development, Friedrich Merz has been announced as the Chancellor candidate for the CDU, with Markus Söder, the CSU leader, pledging his support. This decision comes after Söder's withdrawal from the candidacy race, a move that has brought temporary calm within the Union.

Yesterday

Politics

Merz and Söder Reject Green Coalition

In a significant political development, CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder have both expressed strong opposition to forming a coalition with the Green Party. Merz, recently confirmed as the Union's chancellor candidate, stated that a coalition with the Greens is currently off the table, citing major differences in economic policies.

Yesterday

Politics

Rising Costs of WG Rooms in Germany

As the winter semester approaches, students in Germany are facing increased costs for shared accommodation, known as WG-Zimmer. A recent study by the Moses Mendelssohn Institute and wg-gesucht.

Yesterday

Economy

Elbe Prepares for Rising Waters

The Elbe River is bracing for rising water levels following severe rainfall and flooding in neighboring countries like Poland and the Czech Republic. While the situation in these countries has been dire, with significant damage and loss of life, German regions along the Elbe, such as Saxony, Lower Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, are preparing for increased water levels without expecting catastrophic flooding.

Yesterday

Environment

Netherlands Seeks Exit from EU Asylum System

The Netherlands is seeking to exit the EU's asylum system, a move led by the radical-right government under the influence of the Party for Freedom (PVV) and its leader, Geert Wilders. The Dutch government has formally requested an exemption from the EU Commission to implement stricter immigration controls, citing the need to manage national resources like housing and healthcare more effectively.

Yesterday

Politics

Friedrich Merz: Union's Chancellor Candidate

Friedrich Merz has been announced as the Union's candidate for Chancellor in the upcoming German federal elections. The decision was made public in a joint press conference with CDU leader Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder in Berlin.

Yesterday

Politics

Union and Greens Clash Over Coalition Prospects

In a recent political talk show hosted by Sandra Maischberger, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann and Green Party leader Omid Nouripour engaged in a heated debate over the possibility of a black-green coalition in Germany. The discussion highlighted significant differences between the two parties, particularly on migration policies.

Yesterday

Politics

Twin Explosions Shake Cologne's City Center

In a span of just two days, Cologne's city center has been rocked by two separate explosions, raising concerns and prompting extensive police investigations. The first incident occurred on Monday morning near a nightclub on the Hohenzollernring, where a 53-year-old man was slightly injured.

Yesterday

Crime

Court to Rule on AfD Committee Rights

The German Federal Constitutional Court is set to deliver a landmark ruling on whether the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has the right to chair Bundestag committees. This decision follows the controversial removal of AfD politician Stephan Brandner from the chair of the Legal Affairs Committee in 2019, a move that has sparked significant debate about parliamentary equality and procedural norms.

Yesterday

Politics

Schwarzenegger Honored with Berlin Doctorate

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the iconic Hollywood actor and former Governor of California, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Hertie School in Berlin. The ceremony, held on September 17, 2024, featured a laudatory speech by German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.

Yesterday

Culture

Brandenburg Braces for Rising Floodwaters

Brandenburg is on high alert as rising water levels have caused the Lausitzer Neiße, Elbe, and Spree rivers to overflow their banks. Authorities have declared flood alert level 1 in several areas, prompting precautionary measures such as relocating animals and machinery from flood-prone zones and inspecting flood protection systems.

Yesterday

Environment

Brandenburg Election: Key Issues in Focus

In the lead-up to the Brandenburg state election, a televised debate among top candidates from seven political parties highlighted key issues such as flood protection, migration, and the coal phase-out. The debate, aired on RBB, saw candidates like SPD's Dietmar Woidke emphasizing the state's preparedness for potential floods, citing significant investments in flood defenses since 1997.

17 September, 22:45

Politics

Heilbronn's Döner Shop Debate

In Heilbronn, Germany, a heated debate has emerged over the proliferation of döner shops in the city center. The local CDU party argues that the abundance of döner shops, along with nail salons and barbershops, has led to a lack of diversity in the city's commercial offerings.

17 September, 21:28

Politics

Controversy Erupts Over ARD's "Die 100

A recent episode of the ARD show "Die 100" has sparked controversy after featuring a participant who changed his stance on the AfD, labeling it a threat to democracy. The participant, Michael Schleiermacher, was later revealed to be an amateur actor, leading to accusations from AfD leader Alice Weidel and the portal "Nius" that the show was staged to influence public opinion against the AfD.

17 September, 18:59

Media

Central Europe Battles Devastating Floods

Severe flooding has wreaked havoc across Central and Eastern Europe, affecting countries from Romania and Poland to the Czech Republic and Austria. The deluge has resulted in at least 18 fatalities, with widespread destruction of infrastructure, homes, and farmlands.

17 September, 16:38

Environment

Germany's Social Contributions Surge in 2025

In 2025, high earners in Germany will face a significant increase in social security contributions due to a substantial rise in the contribution assessment ceiling. This change, driven by a 6.

17 September, 15:22

Economy

Merz Named Union's Candidate for Bundestag

In a significant political development, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has been announced as the Union's candidate for the upcoming Bundestag elections, following the withdrawal of North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst from the race. This decision was publicly supported by CSU leader Markus Söder, who, despite having higher popularity ratings, conceded the candidacy to Merz.

17 September, 14:09

Politics

German Greens Fight Misinformation

The Green Party in Germany is planning to counter false claims about their political goals more assertively. Co-chair Ricarda Lang expressed concern over the growing animosity towards the party, which she attributes to widespread misinformation, such as the false claim that the Greens want to ban barbecuing.

17 September, 14:08

Politics

Hessian Surveillance Law Partially Unconstitutional

The Federal Constitutional Court in Germany has declared parts of the Hessian surveillance law unconstitutional, citing violations of personal rights. The court's decision, announced in Karlsruhe, highlights issues with the law's provisions on data collection and transmission, particularly concerning mobile phone tracking and the use of undercover agents.

17 September, 11:45

Politics