News from Berlin

On May 1st, the Mariannenplatz festival, under the motto “Making Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg danceable,” marks a turning point for the Berlin Left Party once the party succeeded in attracting the masses of young people. Their “Pied Piper”: the rapper Ikkimel. Instead of celebrating the success of the mobilization and accepting that culture and political protest can coexist, two left-wing events pitted against each other, under the accusation that their concerts contribute to the commercialization of International Workers’ Day. However, the accusation that protest is being replaced by partying falls short: the day was full of left-wing artist concerts on the streets. To name a few, system-critical rap trio RAPK; the rapper Apsilon; and Kurdish rapper Ebow, who released her song “ARBAYT.” Source: taz

News from Germany

Where Germany’s economy leads

Germany still ranks among the top five largest economies in the world. This isn’t solely due to the few big names (SAP, DHL, Deutsche Telekom, to name a few), but rather to the small businesses. There are many of these “hidden champions” in Germany. For instance, less than half of German employees have worked for a large corporation, where innovations such as the MP3 audio compression format and the magnetic levitation train happened. However, it’s striking that while Germany has often been a major center for development, German society and economy doesn’t seem to reap the rewards – the money simply flows elsewhere. Source: dw

Birth rates in Germany continue to decline

In 2025, the number of babies born in Germany was the lowest since 1946. According to preliminary results, there were approximately 654,300 children, 3.4% fewer than in 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive year of decline in the birth rate. If the desire for children expressed by 19- to 29-year-olds in surveys were the deciding factor, the birth rate in Germany would be higher, says population expert C. Katharina Spieß. “Security is a crucial factor in fulfilling the desire to have children.” Fewer people overall wouldn’t necessarily be a problem. But the country is aging, too. In recent years, low birth rates have been someway offset by immigration. Source: dw

No stage for Palestine

Last year, the artist Maidline Aurie and a small team of collaborators (among them, the Frankfurter rapper Chima) joined forces to organize a benefit concert under the motto “Together4Palestine Germany.” But the implementation has proved more difficult than expected. For instance, the venue in Cologne, where the concert was supposed to happen, unexpectedly withdrew its commitment, citing security concerns. It is also seeming that many artists don’t dare to speak openly about such an event. Nevertheless, as Chima affirmed, “We have already invested eight months; we will simply continue. This is a personal matter for us.” Considering the last events, it might be possible that the concert will ultimately be called “Together4Palestine & Lebanon”. Source: taz

Israeli defence firm “Rafael”: interested in VW’s factory, German lawmaker says

Israeli defence company “Rafael” is in talks to take over Volkswagen’s Osnabruck plant as the automaker phases out car production in the northwestern city after 2027. Bastian Ernst (CDU), confirmed that indeed “There are talks between Rafael and Volkswagen.” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said last week the company would cease manufacturing Volkswagen Group vehicles at Osnabruck starting in 2027 and was negotiating with defence firms to repurpose the facility. “I am very confident we will reach a decision this year,” Blume told “Bild”. “We will not produce weapons. We will contribute our ‘know-how’ where we are best. Vehicles for military transport could be one direction.” Source: Middle East monitor

What a setback!

Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has introduced an austerity package because the health insurance funds are overwhelmed by their expenses. There’s a shortfall of 15 billion euros next year alone. However, the federal government considers such a moment as an opportunity for cutting the federal subsidy to the health. As a result, the savings package will provide far less relief for those paying into the system than needed. It’s quite unjust that the government is imposing a considerable burden on policyholders with this austerity package, while simultaneously excuses itself of its responsibility. Source: Zeit

Attack on antisemitism commissioner

After an arson attack on the property of Brandenburg’s antisemitism commissioner, Andreas Büttner (independent), in January, two suspects have now been identified. According to the prosecutor’s office, they come from the antisemitism commissioner’s personal circle, with whom he had founded a company. The business, which was intended to work in the solar energy sector, never implemented any projects: “Nothing happened there, it’s a dead company,” Büttner affirmed. He met with the suspects twice after the incident. If such suspicion is confirmed, the previously presumed antisemitic motive would be rather unlikely. Source: tagesschau

News from Berlin

“Clearly illegal”

The Berlin State Audit Office considers the allocation of funding for antisemitism projects to be “clearly illegal.” Its report mentions that the cultural affairs department under Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson (independent, affiliated with the CDU) committed systematic errors, violating budgetary obligations and breaking laws. Project selection is particularly problematic because they were only formally reviewed by the administration, not substantively, at the express request of CDU members of parliament and Senators Joe Chialo (CDU) and his successor, Sarah Wedl-Wilson (independent, affiliated with the CDU), who ultimately signed off on the funding decisions. On April 24, Wedl-Wilson offered her resignation. Source: taz

Associations see cultural funding in Berlin at risk

Following the resignation of Berlin’s Senator for Culture, Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Franziska Stoff, chair of the Berlin Cultural Conference, is demanding swift stability at the top of the cultural administration. The cultural sector warns against cuts and demands their reversal. “The overall situation is, of course, a threat to cultural funding in the city and to culture as a whole,” she declared to the rbb24 Inforadio. According to its own description, the Berlin Culture Conference is the largest alliance of Berlin cultural associations, which sees itself as a direct point of contact for politics and administration. Source: rbb

Thousands demonstrate for Shah’s son Reza Pahlavi and demand Coup in Iran

Iranian opposition politician Reza Pahlavi was in Berlin on April 23 for political talks. According to the police, around 9,500 of his supporters gathered in the afternoon in front of the Reichstag building. The rally for the son of the last Iranian Shah was peaceful. Police also reported that about 100 counter-demonstrators were present. Pahlavi was pelted with red liquid at midday. The incident occurred after Pahlavi had appeared at the Federal Press Conference. Security forces arrested the suspected attacker shortly after the incident. Police reported that the arrested man had no prior criminal record. Source: rbb

Jewish Voice temporarily excluded from domestic intelligence report

The pro-Palestinian association Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East may not be classified as a confirmed extremist organization by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Germany’s domestic intelligence agency), as it was in the 2024 report. This was the ruling of the Berlin Administrative Court in preliminary injunction proceedings on April 27. The judges justified their decision by stating that the classification as a confirmed extremist organization lacked a sufficient factual basis. An appeal against this ruling can be filed with the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg. Source: deutschlandfunk

News from Germany

Draft law to criminalize denying Israel’s right to exist

Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) and Justice Minister Christian Heinz (CDU) have presented a draft law that would criminalize the denial of the State of Israel’s right to exist. Establishing and maintaining a safe haven for Jews is, according to Minister Heinz, “essential to the identity” of the constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Germany. The draft law will be introduced by the State of Hesse to the Federal Council on May 8. Source: hessen.de

Germany reveals first-ever military strategy for Bundeswehr

The German Bundeswehr has for the first time officially implemented a military strategy, citing an increasingly dangerous international situation. “Rarely has a military strategy been as necessary as it is in this historic period,” affirmed Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) during the presentation in Berlin. According to the military strategy, Russia represents “the greatest and most immediate threat for the foreseeable future” to Germany and transatlantic security. The document then goes on to analyze how the Bundeswehr should respond to potential war scenarios, though the details are largely classified. Source: dw

Record global military spending—Germany ranks 4th

Last year, global military spending reached an all-time high. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), countries invested a total of approximately €2.5 trillion. This marks the eleventh consecutive year of military spending increases. According to SIPRI, Germany invested around €97 billion in its armed forces last year. This represents a quarter more than in 2024—only the US, China, and Russia spent more. The European NATO member states increased their investments by around 14% to €476 billion, according to the report. This is the largest increase since the early years of the military alliance. Source: deutschlandfunk

Suspected far-right attacks in Cottbus keep State Security busy

In Cottbus, suspected far-right attacks on institutions and individuals are currently on the rise. Police confirmed that a flare was ignited in the hallway of an alternative housing project shortly before midnight on April 27. Due to the smoke, all residents had to temporarily evacuate the building. No one was injured. On the same night, the synagogue in Cottbus was defaced with a large swastika. On April 24, unknown individuals had already painted an antisemitic slogan on the building’s wall. The State Security Department of the police, responsible for politically motivated crimes, is investigating these and other cases in Cottbus. Source: rbb

News from Berlin

Thousands of people demand faster energy transition in Berlin

Several thousand people gathered in the district of Berlin-Mitte on April 18 to demonstrate for a faster energy transition. According to the police, approximately 9,000 participants marched through the government district. Organisers spoke of up to 24,000 people. Under the motto “Defend Renewable Energies!”, an alliance of environmental organizations called for protests in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne. Among the organisations are Greenpeace, WWF, Fridays for Future, and the Campact network. The call to action stated: “Escalating energy prices, geopolitical crises, and authoritarian regimes show us how risky fossil fuels are.” Source: rbb

News from Germany

Germany’s most modern Courthouse

The historic Stuttgart Higher Regional Court (OLG) building in Stammheim, where trials against the leaders of the Red Army Faction (RAF) were held in the 1970s, is now history. Starting next week, trials against suspected terrorists and other criminals will take place in the OLG’s new high-security building, located right next to Stammheim Prison. Before the official handover of the keys, the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court offered a glimpse into what Presiding Judge Katrin Dobler described as “Germany’s most modern courthouse.” Construction began in 2015 and cost €29 million. There, two courtrooms will be available, with completely separate entrances and security checkpoints. The defendants can communicate with their lawyers via a wireless system. Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten

Electricity prices remain stable

Electricity became cheaper in Germany in March, and prices are expected to continue falling in April. While the war in Iran is driving up gas and oil prices, prices on the electricity exchange remain stable, according to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. The reason for this is the expansion of renewable energy and the beginning of spring, when both wind and solar power plants produce a lot of electricity. This effect is likely to increase much further in the summer: In June 2025, a good 77% of electricity came from renewable sources, and this figure will probably be even higher in 2026. Source: taz

He was not an isolated case

A year ago, Lorenz A., a Black man, was shot and killed by the police in Oldenburg. To this day, there has been no trial. According to the public prosecutor’s office, A. showed a knife to people persuing him. However, contrary to several media reports, he did not use the knife while interacting with the police, nor did he attack anyone with it. During his escape, A. ran past a police patrol and is said to have used pepper spray again. Then, without warning, a police officer shot him. On April 19, several hundred people commemorated Lorenz and demonstrated against racist police violence. The speakers repeatedly emphasized one point: he was not an isolated case. Source: taz

CDU defeats AfD in Uckermark district council election

Karina Dörk (CDU) was first elected district administrator of the Uckermark region in 2018. On April 19, she defended her position and defeated state parliament member Felix Teichner (AfD) with 60%. Voter turnout was 55.3%. Therefore, the Brandenburg Action Alliance against Violence, Right-Wing Extremism, and Racism reacted with relief. Initiatives such as the “Livable Uckermark” association worked tirelessly to raise awareness and send a clear message of diversity and solidarity, as the Action Alliance stated. Its chairman, Thomas Wisch, nevertheless notes that the election result should not obscure the fact that “right-wing extremist attitudes remain a challenge.” Source: nd-aktuell

German crime statistics: false blaming on migrants?

Is it true that the crime rate in Germany is higher among immigrants? For instance, more than a third of all suspects are not German citizens. The statistics may suggest this, but they can also be misleading. Ahead of the presentation of the 2025 figures for crime in Germany by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Susann Prätor has shared her thoughts on the issue of nationality and statistics. For instance, she believes that “studies show that people perceived as foreign are more likely to be reported to police.” According to a 2024 study by the Criminological Institute of Lower Saxony, non-Germans were reported nearly three times as often as Germans. Source: dw

“Excessive use of force”

“Disproportionate restrictions” on assemblies, “excessive use of force” by the police, “increasing pressure on democratic freedoms”—What sounds like conditions in an authoritarian state are in fact the findings of a Council of Europe study on the situation in Germany, published on April 15. Its Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, notes there is a “worrying increase in both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.” Restrictions on freedom of expression are also “clearly evident” at universities. In a statement obtained by “taz”, the government rejects such accusations, pointing out that critical or controversial views on Judaism or the State of Israel are protected by freedom of expression, but subject to the limitations stipulated by national laws. Source: taz

News from Berlin

United against Big Tech

The major movement conference “Cables of Resistance” against big tech took place over the weekend in Berlin. With nearly 100 events—some running up to seven sessions simultaneously—individuals, activist groups, and various strands of the movement were brought together. This was also linked by a common thread of internationalist and anti-colonial perspectives. The accompanying “Manifesto 1.0” (which is to be collaboratively updated) highlights the “deeply entrenched colonial infrastructure power” of leading Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft (GAFAM), which “forces people in the Global South into ever more intensive exploitation.” Source: nd

News from Germany

Distrust is growing

Bremen has a reputation as a tolerant Hanseatic city. But since a spy scandal involving an informant, anything left-leaning in the city is quickly vilified. This is because the Bremen Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) has declared the group Interventionist Left (Interventionistische Linke, IL) a “threat to democracy”. However, all data and studies indicate that the far greater danger in Bremen and nationwide comes from right-wing extremism. Bremen’s Senator for the Interior, Eva Högl (SPD), presented the statistics on politically motivated crime: half of all offenses in 2025 were attributed to the “right wing,” while the “left wing” accounted for 18%. Source: taz

A crushing defeat for the AfD

In Schwerin, the CDU and SPD candidates received the most votes in the first round of the mayoral election. The AfD came in third and thus did not qualify for the runoff. The far-right party had hoped for a victory in the state capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Who will govern Schwerin in the future will be decided in a runoff election in two weeks, as neither Sebastian Ehlers (CDU) nor Mandy Pfeifer (SPD) achieved an absolute majority. Ehlers received 34.2% of the vote on Sunday, while Pfeifer garnered 27.9%. Source: taz

Germans see little progress in removing red tape

A survey published on April 11 said most Germans believe unnecessary bureaucracy has remained the same since the current government took office. The poll, conducted by YouGov, found that 66% of citizens said administrative burdens had remained the same since the current government took office, while 22% reported an increase. Only 4% believed bureaucracy had decreased, with 8% unsure in the poll conducted for the European Center for Digital Competitiveness at the ESCP Business School in Berlin. Respondents said the greatest need for digital improvement is in healthcare and local administrative offices, followed by tax services and construction approvals. Source: dw

Buchenwald: remembering Nazi atrocities

Buchenwald was one of the largest concentration camps in Germany, liberated eighty‑one years ago. The commemoration this year included moving words—and protests. Two surviving prisoners managed to attend it. At the service, actor and author Hape Kerkeling spoke about his grandfather, Hermann Kerkeling, a communist who survived his time at the camp. This year’s ceremony in Buchenwald was nevertheless overshadowed in several ways. For instance, the chairs of two associations representing relatives of former political prisoners of the camp had opposed the appearance of Wolfram Weimer (independent), the Minister of State for Culture. The memorial director Jens-Christian Wagner also observed in his speech that right‑wing extremists are attacking the culture of remembrance. Source: dw

Bundeswehr says military-aged men are allowed to travel freely

For days, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has had to explain himself. A provision in the new Military Service Act, which took effect on January 1, appeared to require men between the ages of 17 and 45 to notify the German military before taking trips abroad longer than three months. “Everyone is allowed to travel, whether they are 17, 45, or anywhere in between, and permission is not currently required,” he told the dpa. The politician added that an administrative regulation would be issued this week to remove any doubt. The controversial regulation is a result of Germany’s recent return to a type of partial military service. Source: dw

When will tax relief arrive?

The Iran war has led to a new energy crisis. The German government coalition wants to counteract this, reducing the mineral oil tax on diesel and gasoline by approximately 17 cents gross per liter (limited to two months). Lars Klingbeil (SPD), Minister of Finance, affirms this will happen “as soon as possible.” However, due to legislation, among other aspects, it might take some weeks before the tax cut is reflected at the pumps. Employees will also be able to receive a tax-free bonus of 1,000 euros from their employers. Nevertheless, the plan faces much criticism from various stakeholders, such as Greenpeace or the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at Halle (IWH). Source: tagesschau

News from Berlin

Asking rents in Berlin almost 70% higher than a decade ago

Rents in Berlin have risen particularly sharply in the past ten years – despite rent control. According to the German government, asking rents in the capital are now on average 69% percent higher than in 2016. Nationwide, the increase is around 43%. This information comes from the German government’s response to an inquiry from the Left Party MP Caren Lay. According to the Ministry of Construction, the figures are based on online listings in 14 major cities. The average base rent per square meter in Berlin has climbed from €9.02 to €15.25. The highest advertised rents were in Munich: At €21.29 per square meter. Source: rbb

Easter March participants demonstrate against wars and conscription

In Berlin and in Brandenburg demonstrators took to the streets for peace at Easter marches as early as Saturday. In the German capital, a peace demonstration marched through Prenzlauer Berg. A police spokesperson told “rbb” that approximately 1,600 people participated, but organizers estimated the number at several thousand. The Berlin Peace Coordination (FriKo) had called for the demonstration. The demonstrators called for an end to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, many carrying Palestinian and Iranian flags. The demonstrators also spoke out against the reintroduction of conscription. During the weekend, there also were demonstrations in Brandenburg an der Havel, Strausberg and Frankfurt (Oder), among others. Source: rbb

Fact check on the Traffic Referendum

More than 20,000 signatures have been collected so far for the “Car-Free Berlin” referendum (https://verkehrsentscheid.de/). Around 174,000 valid signatures are needed by May 8, 2026, for the referendum to be successful. But what would the law mean for residents? For instance, as of December 31, 2025, nearly 30% of Berlin’s residents live in “Living oriented” (LOR) planning areas that lie entirely or partially within the S-Bahn ring, the areas which are proposed to go “car free”. This means that almost one in three Berliners would be affected by the initiative’s planned measures. Also, a central argument of the initiative is safety. In 2024, the Berlin police recorded a total of 133,370 road traffic accidents. The majority of those injured (2,627) were in the district of Mitte. Source: Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg

IG Metall to take Tesla to court

IG Metall claims Tesla management threatened staff would lose their jobs if they voted for union representatives in works council elections in early March. More than 10,000 employees voted in the election, an 87% turnout, down 6% compared to the 2024 works council election. IG Metall needed 19 of the 37 works council seats to maintain a majority but secured only 16. In mid-February, Tesla called the police, claiming that an IG Metall representative had illegally recorded a works council meeting. Police took the representative’s laptop. The representative has since filed a defamation claim against the Grünheide plant manager, and accused the company of a “brazen and calculated lie”. Source: iamexpat

News from Germany

Police to automatically receive data on trans people – those affected are fighting back

Concerns are growing within the trans community in Baden-Württemberg regarding regulations on data storage and potential security gaps. The reason is the registration ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior. The Self-Determination Act, introduced in 2024, makes it easier for trans, intersex, and non-binary people to change their first name and gender marker. There is a prohibition on disclosure, protecting against the unwanted publication of previous entries. According to the queer community, this is precisely what is jeopardized by the registration ordinance. This is to apply regardless of whether there are any outstanding charges against the individuals concerned. Data sharing is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026. Source: tagesschau

Germany planning a reform on healthcare cuts – what this means for you?

Germany’s statutory health insurance system is expected to run a 10 billion euro annual deficit from 2027 onwards unless something changes. The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition government believes the solution lies in tightening the purse strings. Around 90% of people in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance. What would the prospective changes mean for those? Among the issues, there might be, for instance, the end of non-contributory dependents insurance; higher co-payments, covering eventually costs such as prescriptions, and stays in hospital; and scraping some services as certain orthodontic treatments. Criticism of those proposals has already been widespread, including from health insurance providers. Source: iamexpat

German men need military permit for prolonged stays abroad

A new military service law took effect in Germany in 2026, aimed at boosting the armed forces amid threats to European security. The legislation was contentious and many people even took to the streets to protest against it. But another provision in the law has so far gone largely unnoticed: it relates to a requirement for men between the ages of 18 and 45 to “obtain an approval from the relevant Bundeswehr Career Center if they wish to leave the Federal Republic of Germany for more than three months.” Acknowledging the “extreme” impact of the amended conscription law, the Defense Ministry said it is working on new rules for exceptions to the exit permit requirement. Source: dw

The “Ulm 5” and a question of Justice

“Ulm 5” is a group of activists currently in pretrial detention, and they are accused of breaking into an Elbit Systems weapons factory in Ulm. The trial against philosophy student Daniel, queer activist Vi, and the three other defendants begins on April 27 in Stuttgart. V.’s partner, Josie, as well as Daniel’s mother and sister, share their perspectives in the interview. All five defendants face the same charges, including property damage and alleged membership in a criminal organization. The break-in at the factory is presented in the context of protests against the genocide in Gaza. The interviewees criticize the increasing restrictions on opportunities for protest in Germany and the repressive treatment of pro-Palestinian activism. Source: jungewelt

Hundreds of people demonstrate against right-wing extremism in Friedrichshain

Around 500 people demonstrated against right-wing extremism in Berlin-Friedrichshain on Easter Sunday. Participants carried banners with slogans such as “Stand up to Nazis” and “If you attack one, we’ll all respond.” As the police confirmed to “rbb” upon inquiry, the event remained largely peaceful. The protest was prompted by the attack on two 19-year-olds on Jessnerstrasse ten days earlier. The attackers allegedly injured and beat their victims with a machete on the head. As the two unknown assailants fled, they reportedly shouted the unconstitutional slogan “Sieg Heil,” according to witnesses. The State Security Police have taken over the investigation. Source: rbb