The Left Berlin News & Comment

This is the archive template

News from Berlin and Germany, 15th April 2026

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


15/04/2026

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 and Germany, 8th April 2026

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


08/04/2026

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

News from Berlin and Germany, 1st April 2026

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


01/04/2026

News from Berlin

Activists occupy roof of Rheinmetall Weapons factory in Berlin

Several activists climbed onto the roof of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH in Berlin-Mitte on March 25 to protest. “The police were alerted to Scheringstraße 2 at 6:15 a.m. today because four people were reportedly on the roof,” a police spokesperson explained then on X. According to media reports, Rheinmetall plans to have its workers produce ammunition in the factory, among other things, starting this summer. The former Pierburg plant in the Gesundbrunnen district used to produce car parts—until Rheinmetall decided to convert the site into an arms manufacturer. The conversion of the plant has met with widespread protest, for example under the slogan “No Rheinmetall in Wedding.” Source: n-tv

Man and woman injured with machete—attackers shout Nazi slogans

A man and a woman were attacked in Friedrichshain in the early hours of March 25. According to the police, the two 19-year-olds were walking on Jessnerstraße around 1:30 am when two unknown individuals began insulting them. Shortly after the initial verbal altercation, one of the men pulled a machete from his jacket. He struck the 19-year-old man in the head with it, causing facial injuries. He then attacked the woman, who suffered from a cut to her head. The attackers only stopped when eyewitnesses intervened. According to the Berliner Zeitung, the attack on the couple may have been politically motivated: the two men were shouting anti-constitutional slogans. Among them, “Sieg Heil.” Source: morgenpost

News from Germany

Iran questions Ramstein’s role in USA attacks

The Iranian ambassador to Germany, Majid Nili, has demanded a “clarification” from the German government regarding Ramstein: is the USA use of the air base for attacks on Iran an “act of aggression” as defined by UN Resolution 3314? According to this resolution, an “act of aggression” is defined as any attack by one state against another from the territory of another state. The Ramstein air base has a special status. It is located on German territory but enjoys immunity similar to a foreign embassy. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) currently sees no reason to restrict the US use of Ramstein for the war against Iran. Source: dw

Merz links “exploding violence” to immigration

On March 25 in the Bundestag, Chancelor Friedrich Merz (CDU) rejected the accusation by Green Party legal policy expert Lena Gumnior that he was not addressing the issue of protecting women from digital sexual violence. “It’s not just women in this country who are talking about this topic, but also many men,” the Christian Democrat said. “And I’m one of them.” Besides, in response to a question from CSU MP Susanne Hierl, Merz elaborated further. “We are seeing an explosion of violence in the digital sphere as well as in the real world,” he stated. He added that “a considerable portion of this violence originates from the immigrant community.” Source: fr

“We can no longer feed our children”

What began as a sanction procedure against Berlin-based journalist Hüseyin Doğru (who founded red.media in 2023) has now become a humanitarian crisis for him and his family. After the journalist, sanctioned by the EU since May 2025, was already largely cut off from financial transactions, the Central Office for Sanctions Enforcement (ZfS) has now also “secured” his wife’s accounts. For the family, such a measure is a threat to their very existence. Doğru told the Berliner Zeitung that “currently, we have only 104 euros for our three children and ourselves. Before, I couldn’t provide for my children myself. Now, no one can provide for them.” Source: bz

Inflation in Germany jumps to 2.7%

Inflation in Germany rose sharply to 2.7% in March. The Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden announced this on March 30 based on a preliminary estimate. This is the highest inflation rate in a long time. In February, the rate was 1.9%, following 2.1% in January. Energy prices, in particular, have risen sharply since the start of the war with Iran. Prices for oil and gas have skyrocketed on world markets. Most recently, the price of Brent crude oil from the North Sea was hovering around $109 per barrel (159 liters). Food prices overall have not yet risen as sharply. However, some individual prices have increased significantly year-on-year. For example, beef and veal became 11.9% more expensive, and fruit 4.8%. Source: faz

Hesse’s AfD has a new Youth Organisation

On March 28 in Fulda, 50 young members of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) founded the party’s new youth organization in Hesse, the Generation Deutschland (Generation Germany, GD). Nafiur Rahman, a 27-year-old who came to Germany as the child of immigrants from Bangladesh, was elected chairman. The establishment of the GD state association comes five months after the founding of the GD federal association in Giessen. Previously, the Junge Alternative (Young Alternative, JA), the original AfD youth organization, had dissolved itself nationwide, after being classified as confirmed right-wing extremist. Unlike the JA, which was an independent association, GD is legally and organizationally part of the AfD, increasing the parent party’s ability to intervene in it. Source: hessenschau

State plans to ban headscarves in courtrooms

Judges and public prosecutors in Brandenburg will no longer be allowed to wear religiously or politically motivated clothing and symbols in court. Headscarves, kippahs, and crosses that are visible would thus be prohibited during trials. The red-black state government intends to introduce a neutrality law for the judiciary. The goal is to ensure that citizens can trust that judicial decisions are made purely based on law. The Ministry of Justice in Potsdam stated that no timeline exists for the legislative project. The ministry was unable to provide information on whether there are any female judges or trainee lawyers wearing headscarves in Brandenburg. Source: islamiq

News from Berlin and Germany, 25th March 2026

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


25/03/2026

News from Berlin

Berlin’s lead candidate for the Left Party distances itself from the Zionism Resolution

Elif Eralp, the Left Party’s lead candidate in Berlin, has sharply rejected the controversial Zionism resolution passed by her party’s Lower Saxony state branch. She specifically criticized the resolution for failing to mention the attack by the Islamist group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. Furthermore, she argued that the document ignores what the term “Zionism” means to many Jewish people worldwide: the right to live in safety as Jews. Andreas Büttner, Brandenburg’s Commissioner for Antisemitism, resigned from the Left Party a few days ago, citing the Lower Saxony resolution as one of the reasons. The document is also facing strong opposition outside the party. Source: berliner Zeitung

Two Berlin bookstores receive German Bookstore Prize

Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State for Culture (independent), announced the winners of the German Booksellers’ Prize. The title “Best Bookstore” was awarded, among others, to the Berlin bookstore “Prinz Eisenherz,” founded in 1978 as Germany’s first gay bookstore. The InterKontinental bookstore was the second Berlin bookstore to be honored. It won the prize for “Particularly Outstanding Bookstore.” It is affiliated with a publishing house specializing in African and Afro-diasporic literature. The awarding of the bookstore prizes has been criticized nationwide for several days because Minister Weimer removed three German (one of them Berliner) bookstores from the list of winners. He justified this with “findings relevant to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.” Source: rbb

Thousands demonstrate in Berlin against sexualized digital violence

Several thousand people protested in Berlin on March 22 against sexualized digital violence. According to police, around 6,700 people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate for the demonstration “Against sexualized digital violence – Solidarity with all victims.” Organizers claimed 13,000 people attended. The protest was initiated by the newly founded alliance “Feminist Fight Club!”, which criticizes “structural deficiencies and legal loopholes in the context of digital and analog sexualized violence in Germany.” The rally was held in solidarity with the presenter and actress Collien Fernandes. On March 21, Berlin’s Senator for the Interior, Iris Spranger (SPD), called for an effective digital violence protection law. Source: rbb

Berlin’s Interior Senator calls for digital violence protection law

Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) is calling for an effective digital violence protection law. “Anyone who stalks, threatens, or humiliates people online attacks their dignity just as they would on the street,” she told the German Press Agency. And Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) announced plans to quickly introduce legislation for better protection against digital violence. This comes in response to a report in “Der Spiegel” in which actress Collien Fernandes makes serious allegations against her ex-husband, actor Christian Ulmen. The draft law will criminalize the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes. Source: rbb


Criticism of the police unwelcome

The Senate Department for the Interior spent €200,000 on an assessment of Berlin’s right to demonstrate. But the study’s findings are far from what the department wants. The authors, a research team from the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR), are critical of the police and are calling for relaxation of the assembly freedom law. Therefore, the administration of Senator for the Interior Iris Spranger (SPD) apparently decided to discredit the evaluation even before its publication, next week. “The study has serious methodological flaws,” criticizes State Secretary for the Interior Christian Hochgrebe (SPD). Meanwhile, project leader Hartmut Aden affirms “The study has a very comprehensive methodology section.” Source: taz

News from Germany

German weapons: more exports to Gulf States and Ukraine

German arms exports require approval, which can sometimes take time. Considering the wars in Ukraine and the Persian Gulf, the German government is simplifying the export of certain arms to the two regions with immediate effect – at least for a couple of months. Specifically, this concerns weapons and military equipment used for air and sea defense – that is, for example, those capable of repelling attacks with missiles and drones. A general export license (AGG) will apply to these products for the next six months, as announced by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin. Source: dw

“Into the Countryside”

“Into the countryside” is the AfD’s new motto, which is aimed at establishing a presence in places with few village pubs or community centers. This has apparently paid off in Rhineland-Palatinate´s election last week. Instead of voting in protest, many choose the AfD out of conviction. Even with the “not the most convincing candidate,” the party garnered 19.5% of the vote with Jan Bölliger, a very good result for the AfD in a western German state. The AfD managed to gain around 35,000 votes from the SPD and around 40,000 from the CDU. Many younger people voted for the AfD. Source: tagesschau


Germany’s water resources shrink dramatically

Global freshwater resources are shrinking faster than previously assumed. New analyses show that more and more regions are falling into deficit, according to the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences. The data paints a frightening picture: the proportion of regions with unusually low water resources has more than tripled since 2009. Germany is also affected, too. Despite a comparatively wet year in 2024, with around 15% more precipitation than usual, this effect didn’t last long: in 2025, it was significantly too dry again. By the end of last year, Germany was short around 25 billion tons of water compared to normal levels. Source: n-tv

News from Berlin and Germany, 18th March 2026

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


18/03/2026

News from Berlin

Naidoo at the Victory Column, Neo-Nazis in Mitte and Marzahn

Three right-wing demonstrations kept Berlin’s anti-fascists busy on March 14. Xavier Naidoo, who, in addition to his musical comeback, is once again publicly spreading conspiracy theories, was among those who mobilized for the demonstration at the Victory Column. 10,000 participants were registered, but an estimated 500 attended. There was no sign of any counter-protests at the Victory Column. In contrast, an estimated 200 Antifa activists gathered at Potsdamer Platz to demonstrate against a neo-Nazi march. Around 160 staunch neo-Nazis also marched in Marzahn this Saturday, mobilized by the far right and nationalist micro-party Der Dritte Weg (The Third Way). Antifascist counter-protesters also gathered there. Source: taz

Public prosecutor’s office investigates initial suspicion against Wedl-Wilson

For weeks, Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson has been under fire for awarding Senate Chancellery funding to projects by CDU colleagues. As reported by the Tagesspiegel, the public prosecutor’s office is now investigating the case, examining whether there is initial suspicion of a crime, such as breach of trust. The background to the controversy is the awarding of funds for projects against antisemitism. According to reports, CDU politician Christian Goiny allegedly pressured Wedl-Wilson to quickly release €2.6 million in funding. The CDU budget expert has repeatedly rejected accusations of undue influence on the allocation of funding for antisemitism projects. Source: bz

News from Germany

Die Linke in Baden-Württemberg: a brief performance analysis

Disappointment was written all over the faces of Die Linke members when the results of the Baden-Württemberg election were announced: 4.4%. That was below expectations, especially since Die Linke had been consistently polling at six to seven percent until shortly before the election. Accordingly, Die Linke had been quite confident of entering the state parliament in the southwest for the first time. Despite failing, the party sees itself as strengthened after the elections. Source: nd

Germany’s automotive industry: suppliers reorient themselves

Electric cars and declining sales—the automotive industry’s suppliers also feel the effects of the upheaval. Since 2019, suppliers alone have cut around 55,000 jobs. Tight margins, common for companies which manufacture parts and components for combustion engines, mean many lack the funds for investment. Those who can seek new business areas. An example is EBM-Papst, which now focuses on fans and ventilators for data centers and hospitals. Despite such challenges, Germany has become the world’s second-largest producer of electric vehicles. According to IW Consult, around 182,000 people are now employed nationwide in the three “opportunity areas” of electrification, automation, and connectivity. Source: dw

Antisemitism Commissioner Büttner leaves Die Linke

The antisemitism commissioner for the state of Brandenburg, Andreas Büttner, has ended his membership in Die Linke. He doesn’t like his decision, but he considers it a “necessary step.” The Jüdische Allgemeine was the first to report on his departure. The reason for his resignation was a resolution which passed at the Lower Saxony Die Linke state convention over the weekend, “Rejection of Zionism.” Büttner writes he can no longer remain a member of this party without betraying his own convictions, claiming that anyone who deprecates Israel as a “genocidal state” is adopting narratives which are part of modern antisemitic ideology. Source: spiegel

Söder calls for mini nuclear power plants in Germany

Given the debate about energy security in Germany, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) has advocated for a test run of a so-called mini nuclear power plant. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) called the nuclear phase-out “irreversible,” but also expressed his regret about it. The SPD’s energy expert in the Bundestag, Nina Scheer, described Söder’s proposal as “absurd.” Julia Verlinden (Greens) told the AFP news agency that mini nuclear power plants are “a particularly expensive and risky technology.” Recently, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) has announced new EU funding for research and investment in nuclear energy at a nuclear energy summit in France. Source: tagesschau

Union ver.di calls for public transport warning strike

The union ver.di is currently conducting collective bargaining negotiations for public transport employees in almost all German states. Agreements have already been reached in Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein. “In many states, we are unfortunately still at the very beginning,” ver.di Vice Chair Christine Behle stated on March 16. In Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland, Thuringia, and at the Hamburg public transport company (Hochbahn), negotiations are also taking place regarding higher wages and salaries. However, Brandenburg (and Berlin) will not participate in the announced warning strike in public transport on March 18 and 19. Source: rbb

Germany will meet its 2025 climate targets—but only just

Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany fell by only 0.1% in 2025 compared to 2024. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) spoke of “stagnation in many areas” and urged significantly greater efforts. According to the German Environment Agency (UBA), emissions in 2025 amounted to around 649 million tons of CO₂ equivalents. While this means Germany fell below the total amount permitted for the year under the Climate Protection Act, the reduction was significantly smaller than in previous years. Overall, emissions are now 48% below 1990 levels—the legal target stipulates a 65% reduction by 2030. Schneider announced that the cabinet is to adopt a new climate protection program on March 25. Source: dw

Müller Milk billionaire proposes CDU-AfD alliance

Entrepreneur Theo Müller, known among other things for the Müller Milk brand, has proposed that the CDU in Baden-Württemberg form a coalition with the AfD. Speaking to the Bild, Müller said: “The CDU doesn’t have to shrink itself and become Cem Özdemir’s junior partner.” Müller’s relationship with the AfD has been the subject of speculation and controversy for some time: last February, he lost a lawsuit against Campact; the point of contention was the statement “Theo Müller supports the AfD.” Campact is allowed to continue making this claim. In the southern German state a Green-Black coalition has been governing since 2021, and this is likely to continue. Source: bz