Category: Politics
The SPD, open to form a coalition with the Left Party, nominates Scholz
by Thorsten Koch The SPD’s recently nominated candidate for Chancellor, Scholz, would like to see the SPD as the strongest force in a future Federal Government, despite low poll numbers. The upcoming coalition will be led by the SPD, said Scholz, whose candidacy, proposed by…
The German economy is positive about the prospects of recovery
by Thorsten Koch Federal Minister of Economics Altmaier would like to implement targeted measures against the Corona pandemic instead of implementing comprehensive, all-round measures. Altmaier wants to prevent a second lockdown, he pointed out in an interview. Employer President Kramer also spoke out against another…
Respecting the rules to limit the Corona pandemic – in view of an increasing number of infections in Germany
by Thorsten Koch Anyone who has traveled to risk areas as a tourist and returns to Germany must be tested for the Coronavirus from Saturday, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) announced. A legal provision that provides for a smear examination being taken will then…
Security agencies. Haldenwang announces investigations into right-wing extremism
The head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Haldenwang, has announced an investigation into right-wing extremism in the security authorities. Haldenwang expressed confidence that the first situation could already be available in September. Due to the individual cases, an overall view…
Left-wing radical internet platform now a suspected case
The president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Haldenwang, has explained why Indymedia is listed as a suspected case for anti-constitutional efforts in the current report on the protection of the constitution. The Leipzig Federal Administrative Court had confirmed the ban…
Integration Commissioner for study on police racism
The Federal Government’s Integration Commissioner, Widmann-Mauz, has called on Federal Interior Minister Seehofer to allow a study of possible racism among the police. Dealing scientifically with the complex was the basis for being able to hold an objective discussion, she said. This would strengthen the…
Beuth appoints special investigators after threatening emails
The Hessian Interior Minister Beuth has emphasized that he has no evidence of a right-wing network with the Hessian police. However, threatening emails against a Frankfurt lawyer in connection with the retrieval of a data record from a police computer raised the suspicion. Beuth said:…
Altmaier wants to promote the reduction of bureaucracy for the upswing
Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier (CDU) has suggested that the bureaucracy and liberalization in certain areas will help to overcome the recession more quickly. “We should react more flexibly to certain bureaucratic requirements in order to give companies the opportunity to make up for…
Schäuble proposes an economic union
Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble has campaigned to expand the monetary union of the Euro states into a fully-fledged economic union. It took courage to integrate, Schäuble wrote. Discussing aspects of financing falls short of a constructive stance, he criticized. The Corona pandemic could be seen…
Grand Coalition agrees on lobby register
The Grand Coalition agreed on a solution concerning a lobby register, which is to be established later this year. The register is intended to allow transparency in dealing with stakeholders, without making necessary contacts between parliamentarians difficult. An obligation to register should apply. A fine…
Federal Audit Office for clearer guidelines for sustainability strategy
The Federal Audit Office has appealed for more success monitoring and targeted control in the German government’s three-year sustainability strategy. So far, not all the good conditions have been created to implement the program with which the government wants to implement the UN 2030 Agenda…
Böckler Foundation: Corona affects income
The Corona pandemic has an impact on people’s incomes. According to a survey by the union-related Hans Böckler Foundation, 26 percent of those questioned stated negative effects. In April it was 20 percent. Nevertheless, the proportion of those who are concerned about their economic future…
Bridging aid for companies started
The Federal Government has launched an aid program to help companies during the Corona crisis and to get the economy going. For three months up to and including August, it will be possible for companies and the self-employed to receive grants at their fixed costs….
Tax relief for disabled people
Disabled people will receive tax relief from the Federal Government. The tax lump sum for disabled people increases from 3700 Euros to 7400 Euros. It is credited to the tax return without any individual evidence. The relevant law is to be passed before the end…
Bridging aid for students
In order to ensure a sufficient income for students, the Federal Government will provide a bridging aid that is intended to help students living alone, who otherwise make about a third of their monthly income through jobs. Of the average monthly income of EUR 1060,…
Union confederation calls for basic child protection
The German Federation of Trade Unions has called for a unified basic child protection. So far, there are separate financial posts: child benefit, tax allowances, surcharges and Hartz IV benefits. These should be replaced and converted into one payment, which consists of a basic amount…
Bund takes share in CureVac
The federal government takes a share in CureVac in order to promote the development of a vaccine against the Coronavirus. As Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier announced, the KfW development bank is taking over around 23 percent of the shares in the biotech company…
Tobacco advertising to be banned after a vote of the Bundestag
The Bundestag has passed a ban on tobacco advertising, which prohibits advertising of tobacco products in cinemas and the distribution of free samples outside the specialist trade from 2021. From 2022, a ban on advertising for cigarettes should apply to billboards, for tobacco heaters beginning…
Union parties want reform of electoral law for next Bundestag
The CDU-CSU in the German Bundestag has agreed on the modalities of a reform of the electoral law. The number of constituencies should thus be reduced from 299 to 280. In order to achieve this, it is necessary that seven overhang mandates be neglected. What…
BDK criticizes refusal to study racism within the police
by Thorsten Koch The Federation of German Criminal Police (BDK) has criticized the fact that the Federal Minister of the Interior, Seehofer, has rejected a scientific study on racial profiling within the police. Federation President Fiedler said he did not understand the reasoning that unwarranted…
Prime Minister Hans asks for caution on summer vacation
Saarland’s Prime Minister Hans asked for special caution during the summer vacation. Especially parents with schoolchildren should avoid risk areas. All citizens are required to take the regional levels of infection into account when choosing their respective holiday destination. On vacation, on should adhere to…
Hardt: EU should strengthen WHO engagement
The CDU-CSU in the Bundestag has called for greater engagement by the European Union (EU) after the United States has left the World Health Organization (WHO). “As the largest contributor to WHO to date, the US has left a great vacuum,” commented the Union’s foreign…
Stabilization and fundamental rights, priorities during Germany’s Presidency of the EU Council
by Thorsten Koch Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized in the face of the EU Council Presidency that fundamental rights in the European Union (EU) come first. The Corona pandemic is a challenge for the EU, she said. Maintaining fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, equality…
Federal Ministry of the Interior cancels study on racial profiling, pledges zero tolerance
by Thorsten Koch If police officers carry out personal checks without any real reason, but solely on the basis of external characteristics such as skin color, this is prohibited. It is racist. Racism occurs, according to many of those affected. Nevertheless, the Federal Ministry of…
Berlin head of police: state anti-discrimination law superfluous
Berlin police chief Slowik has called the controversial state anti-discrimination law superfluous. Many police officers also took the rules as a vote of no confidence. It will also result in police work being more complex. In everyday control situations, it would lead to more discussions….