Politics

Politics in Germany, as well as the EU and global affairs

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Merkel lockdown update review

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Those responsible in the federal states have known for some time that the federal-state round of talks next Monday would come to nothing, due to the Chancellor's ebarassing TV appearance on the Sunday evening after the "Easter rest" debacle. The agreement to define Maundy Thursday and Easter Saturday as quasi shut-down days was quickly removed from the table. What Angela Merkel and the Conference of Minister Presidents had decided proved impossible to implement. Merkel's prompt apology...

Reform of euthanasia clears the first hurdle in the Bundestag

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Whether out of pure charity or in return for payment - anyone who helps others commit suicide remains unpunished in Germany. That was the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court last year, when it overturned the ban on commercial euthanasia adopted in 2015 - a radical decision, as SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach recently put it. This means that any form of euthanasia, commercial or otherwise, is exempt from punishment. As before the ban, there is no legal framework for assisted suicide...

Japanese Comfort Women resolution requires empathy for South Korea

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

For about 30 years, there have been strained relationships between South Korea and Japan because of the so-called Comfort Women Japan issue. Although an agreement was reached in 2015, South Korea feels it is not enough and insists that Japan has never fully apologized. Japan sees as if South Korea isn't interested in reconciliation. The comfort woman statue in front of Japan's embassy in South Korea that was raised by activists several years ago has yet to be removed. The Japan Comfort...

EU Stability and Growth Pact under scrutiny

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

One year has passed. And two more could follow: In March 2020, the EU Commission and member states suspended the Stability and Growth Pact, invoking the so-called general escape clause in this set of rules for sound public finances. Thanks to the emergency clause, governments can now incur large debts in the fight against the economic consequences of the pandemic without being reprimanded by Brussels. This Wednesday, the Commission will announce the criteria it will use to decide when the...

Scholz wants higher taxes for high earners

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

SPD candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to push through tax increases for higher earners and the wealthy as well as relief for lower and middle incomes in the coming legislative period. He knows that he "agrees with the vast majority of citizens that we need to make our tax system fairer," the federal finance minister told the Düsseldorf-based "Rheinische Post" newspaper. Scholz stressed that tax fairness includes "those who earn a lot, contributing a little more to the financing of the...

CSU conference during lockdown hints at double standards

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

The Munich CSU is setting a new standard in the corona crisis according to the Bavarian newspaper SZ. However, it is perhaps not one it should be proud of. More quickly than any or hardly any other major political party in the Bavaria, it is coming together for a party conference on a Thursday evening during the second lockdown. Just under 100 people are to meet in a hall on the Nockherberg. There is a hygiene concept in force, and the district administration department has approved the meeting,...

Controversial proposal for teachers to work on Saturdays and vacations

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

The fight against the corona virus continues to have Germany firmly in its grip. Not only is retail, restaurants and cultural establishmentsforced to closedduring the second lockdown but also schools and daycare centers, despite evidence showing these areas are not places of high contamination. Although attempts are being made to make up for the lost classroom time via homeschooling, the fact is that the material cannot be taught to the same extent as it in the classroom. Additionally, numerous...

India farmers' protests raised by celebrities

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

The Indian Embassy in Germany has issued the following statement with respect to the recent farmers' protests. "The Parliament of India, after a full debate and discussion, passed reformist legislation relating to the agricultural sector. These reforms give expanded market access and provided greater flexibility to farmers. They also pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming. A very small section of farmers in parts of India have some reservations about these reforms....

Controversial Indian Farm Bills Explained

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

In light of the increasingly destabilising protests by farmers in India, theConsulate General of India in Munich, has released an FAQ to help people understand the situation. The following is reprinted from an English translation of the German text, emailed to The Eye Newspapers. Q1.Why are the farmers protesting in India? The farmers' protests relate to two new laws passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020: (i) the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation)...

Cold a harbinger of severe winter to come

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

The past week has certainly been rough on people across much of eastern North America. The Weather Network reported on Nov. 13 that "Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa airports all set new record lows Wednesday morning, as temperatures dipped into the minus teens, blasting past records set in 1986. New records were also set in Peterborough, Brantford, Barrie, Windsor, and Sarnia, among others." It was the same over most of the eastern United States. Weather.com reported that over 400 daily cold...

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Your Candidate, and the Rise of Satire as a Political Weapon

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Recent parliamentary elections in Ukraine have been fraught with dangers and consequences.  One need only look at previous years to see how political rivals fared before, during or after national elections were held.  Yulia V. Tymoshenko was issued a 7-year jail sentence, which at the time was described as politically motivated.  Viktor Yushchenko suffered a mysterious dioxin-related facial disfigurement, which was suspected to be caused by deliberate poisoning.  Both candidates were...

State Parliament Elections in Hesse

March 4, 2025 • 12:00 AM

Shortly after Bavaria, the German State of Hesse has elected a new State Parliament on Sunday. CDU and SPD have again suffered heavy losses while the Greens achieved a record result. The AfD moves into the Hessian State Parliament for the first time and is thus represented in all 16 German state parliaments. It is unclear whether these results could have an impact on German federal politics. These are the preliminary official final results: Despite major losses, the CDU is still the strongest...

German PKV Insurance

German Private Health Insurance

Health Insurance in Germany is compulsory and sometimes complicated, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Cost comparison tool.

Hospitals

Hospital and Clinic Directory

Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.

Events

Upcoming Events

Der Ungeliebte

The exhibition commemorates the 300th birthday of Kurfürst Karl Theodor, who became the ruler of Bavaria after the last altbayerische Wittelsbacher passed away in late 1777. Despite his significant contributions to economic modernization, social improvements, and cultural initiatives like the...

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Two American astronauts, who were initially scheduled to spend just one week aboard the...
Horst Schmitt Elected to Opel Works Council Amid Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, Horst Schmitt, a known far-right activist, has been elected to the...

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