NEWS FROM BERLIN

Berlin rents increase by an average of 18.3%

A survey by the bank Berlin Hyp and brokerage company CBRE found rents in Berlin increased by 18.3% in 2023 compared to 2022. For new rental contracts landlords in Berlin were demanding an average of 13.60 euros cold rent (excluding the cost of utilities) per square metre. Neukölln and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg were the two neighbourhoods with the highest rent increases: over 23%. The report predicts that demand for housing in Berlin will only continue increasing in the coming years as more people move to the city. Source: iamexpat

Tesla plans to cut 400 jobs in Grünheide

The US car manufacturer Tesla wants to cut jobs worldwide. The provisional extent of the cuts at its only European plant, in Grünheide, Brandenburg, is now known. The factory is planning to cut 400 jobs, as announced by the company to rbb last Tuesday. Talks are currently underway with the works council. Tesla says it wants to avoid layoffs and has therefore launched a volunteer programme for employees who wish to leave the company. CEO Elon Musk announced two weeks ago that he wanted to cut ten per cent of the global workforce due to difficulties in selling e-cars. Source: rbb24

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Compact and Free Saxony in the wake of the AfD

Almost 300 people came to the Sonneberg train station square in Thuringia on Saturday evening, where the right-wing extremist Compact magazine had promised a “folk festival” – with “Compact and AfD at your fingertips”. Petr Bystron – the AfD’s European candidate who is currently facing allegations of corruption – and Doris von Sayn-Wittgenstein had been announced as speakers. But the connections with the magazine appear closer than the party would have wanted them to look, as the Bundestag administration is investigating a possible donation. Meanwhile, the far-right Free Saxony party seeks to pull the AfD further to the right, and sociologist Johannes Kiess believes that joint majorities of the Free Saxons and the AfD are possible in individual municipalities. Source: tagesschau

More right-wing extremist cases reported at schools

Student representatives of the eastern German federal states are complaining about increasing right-wing extremism in schools. They claim that inhibitions are being eroded and that schools are often not sufficiently prepared for right-wing extremist incidents. The state student councils from Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia therefore called for decisive countermeasures in a joint declaration at the beginning of April. Among other things, they want the subjects of politics and social studies to be strengthened in order to impart more knowledge about the threats that right-wing extremism poses to democracy. Source: rbb24

What are the benefits of a motorway speed limit in Germany?

“Free citizens demand free travel” – with this slogan, the German Automobile Club (ADAC) protested in the 70s against the West German speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour. Although it was only in force for a few months due to the oil crisis, the outrage was huge. Various attempts to introduce a general speed limit have since failed. Currently, more than half of Germans are in favour of a speed limit. Among the benefits there is the fact the slower a car drives, the less fuel it consumes. The 2021 Climate Act, however, makes no mention of a speed limit. Source: dw

Cannabis ban planned at German railway stations

Adults in Germany have been allowed to smoke cannabis since April 1, but bans remain in zones around playgrounds and schools, for example. Deutsche Bahn wants to ban the consumption of cannabis at railway stations as well. The only exception is consumption for medical reasons, which is already permitted and will remain so. Information posters will be displayed at all railway stations nationwide starting as early as next week, and Deutsche Bahn intends to prosecute offences from June. Prior to this, railway employees will ask travellers to refrain from consuming cannabis with “friendly requests and instructions.” Source: dw

Höcke: far-right politician on trial

Björn Höcke, who leads the AfD in Thuringia, is being tried for saying words associated with the SA stormtroopers, who played a key role in the Nazis’ rise to power, at a 2021 rally. At a campaign event in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in May 2021, Höcke ended a speech with the slogan “Everything for our homeland, everything for Saxony-Anhalt, everything for Germany!” Prosecutors say he was aware that the phrase was banned for being associated with the Nazi Sturmabteilung. At another rally, in 2023, Höcke said: “Everything for…”, to which the audience replied: “Germany!” Source: bbc

Self-determination: a trans rights law passed

In the past, anyone in Germany who wanted to change their gender identity in their documents had to overcome hurdles such as psychological reports with very intimate questions. In the end, the decision is made by a local court. But now, trans people as well as intersex people will be able to have their gender entry changed much more easily. The same applies to people who do not identify as either male or female. This is made possible by the new Self-Determination Act, which the German Bundestag passed last Friday. Support for the coalition’s law came from the Die Linke group. The CDU/CSU, AfD and the BSW refused to vote in favour. Source: dw

Most in favour of legalization

More than 80 per cent of the German population believe it is wrong that it is considered illegal for a pregnant woman to have an abortion after having counselling on the matter. This is the result of a representative population survey commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Women’s Affairs (BMFSFJ), according to taz. Around 75 per cent also believe that abortions should no longer be regulated in the penal code in future. The voters of all parties represented in the Bundestag clearly reject the illegality of abortions. Almost 80 per cent of respondents also think it is right that the right to abortion was included in the French constitution. Source: taz

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Anmeldung available to all: meet the Berlin activists

Anmeldung für Alle is a new campaign, aiming to make registration easier for everyone. The Berliner interviewed two of its organisers, Marcela Camps and Jason Bustos, from Ciudad Migrante. The group’s website observes that “the vicious circle of registration means exclusion from basic rights and services essential for a decent life.” The campaign has three major demands: a solution for people who cannot find an apartment with Anmeldung, but who are still living and working in the city, the decriminalisation of solidarity Anmeldung, and a solution to the housing crisis. Source: the berliner

Activists at the Amazon Tower

Accused of poor working conditions, tax evasion, and gentrification, Amazon’s occupation as the main tenant of the EDGE East Tower has been controversial from the beginning, with many acts of protest happening at the spot. When asked about their negative public perception, the company spoke about their plans to make a floor in the building available free of charge to non-profit organisations and neighbourhood initiatives. For many activists, these plans are just “social washing.” The group Amazon ist kein guter Nachbar organised a protest against Amazon’s gentrification of Friedrichshain last Saturday. Source: the berliner

NEWS FROM GERMANY

The tip of the iceberg

There are around 1,500 fascists and “Reich citizens” with gun licences in Germany. This is shown by the Federal Government’s response to a parliamentary enquiry by the Die Linke group. According to the answer published on the Bundestag website at the end of this week, 1,051 “right-wing extremists” and around 400 “Reich citizens” who deny the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany hold at least one firearms licence. The statistics do not include armed AfD members unless they belong to the far-right party’s structures categorised by the domestic intelligence service as “confirmed right-wing extremist.” Source: jW

Traffic-light coalition agrees on payment card

The traffic-light coalition has settled its dispute over payment cards for refugees: the cards are now explicitly mentioned in the law as a form of receiving social benefits in future. “Payment cards were already possible before, but we have now created a common, legally secure framework,” explained Dagmar Schmidt (SPD). The card system will also be extended to asylum seekers who do not live in shared accommodation, who will be able to receive the card instead of cash benefits. However, many NGOs criticized the new law because, among other issues, there are still many places in Germany where card payments are not accepted. Source: taz

Meat consumption in the country fell to record low in 2023

It is a trend: in 2023, people in Germany ate 0.8 percent less meat than they did in 2022. The annual figures published by the Bundesinformationszentrum Landwirtschaft (BZL) reveal that meat consumption continues to decline in Germany, despite animal products still being a significant part of German cuisine. According to the German government, “Farming generates around 8% of Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through animal husbandry and the use of fertilisers.” Last year, it was first and foremost cows that disappeared from dinner plates across Germany, with beef and veal consumption dropping by more than 5% to 8.9 kilograms per person. Source: iamexpat

University of Cologne disinvites Nancy Fraser

The University of Cologne has disinvited the US philosopher Nancy Fraser from the “Albertus Magnus” guest professorship.  Fraser, who works at the New School for Social Research in New York, was due to hold two public lectures and a seminar in Cologne from 15 to 17 May. The events have now been cancelled. The university justifies its decision by stating that the academic signed the open letter “Philosophy for Palestine” in November. In a statement on the website of the Critical Theory in Berlin association, the move by the University of Cologne is criticised by a number of philosophers and intellectuals. Source: faz

Germany’s Döner and Asia-Imbisse experience a boom while restaurants suffer

According to a study by Hase & Igel, an AI-supported data analysis company, more people in Germany are choosing to eat out at fast-food eateries rather than restaurants. This means that not only well-established international companies such as McDonald’s or Burger King have more customers, but also places where Döner and Asian food are served. On the other hand, “Italian, Spanish and Indian restaurants perceive more losses in the mid-double digit percentage range,” said Hase & Igel Managing Director Jan Schoenmakers. According to the study, food delivery apps are also seeing a decline in customers, after their rise during the pandemic. Source: iamexpat

Germany and Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice

Nicaragua is taking Germany to the International Court of Justice on suspicion of aiding and abetting genocide in Gaza. Pending a final decision by the court in the main proceedings, Nicaragua demands the imposition of immediate measures, including an immediate stop to arms deliveries. A judgement in this regard, which is binding under international law, is expected in around two weeks. After the Central American country’s lawyers presented their arguments in detail on Monday, Germany’s representatives intended to refute the charges “accusation by accusation in detail” on Tuesday morning, as the Federal Foreign Office claimed on X on Monday. Source: jW

Celebration of cannabis legalisation in Berlin

Numerous people celebrated the legalisation of cannabis in front of the Brandenburg Gate on the night of Easter Monday. The police estimated, that 1,500 people had gathered in front of the landmark. Several joints were lit at midnight. Shortly afterwards, a strong smell of cannabis wafted across the square. A metre-high cannabis leaf could be seen and some people danced to reggae music. According to the police, the event ended at around 0:40 am. There were also celebrations on the Warschauer Brücke. At midnight, activists from the Hanf Museum and the umbrella organisation of German Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCD) lit up a joint. Source: rbb

Video surveillance system for Leopoldplatz

Last week, the Greens and the CDU announced their plans to re-install a video surveillance system at Leopoldplatz, as reported by Berliner Zeitung. It will begin with a 6 month trial phase, after which an evalutaion will take place. The Left’s Jacky Sanehy, Spokesperson for Health, has criticised the decision. She argues that bringing video surveillance back to Leopoldplatz would lead to the displacement of homeless and drug-addicted individuals, simply moving the problem elsewhere and rather than solving it. Instead of surveillance, the Left is calling for increased social welfare systems, including a space for drug consumption and more social work facilities on and around Leopoldplatz. Source: the berliner

NEWS FROM GERMANY

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Queer shelter in Berlin fights against displacement

The oldest queer housing project in Berlin, Plutonia, has lived in the Tuntenhaus in Kastanienallee since 1997. But it was sold last February. The residents fear that the last piece of subculture on Kastanienallee will be displaced. They are fighting for the district of Pankow to exercise its right of first refusal and to turn it into a co-operative. The fight is against the clock, as the right needs to be exercised before May. Source: nd

Colour attack on Brandenburg Gate: trial against climate activists suspended

The trial against two climate activists because of the paint attack at the Brandenburg Gate has been suspended for the time being. The Tiergarten district court halted the proceedings against two members of the “Last Generation” climate group. The reason is a dispute over the cost of cleaning the Berlin landmark after the attack on 17 September 2023. The defence affirms the costs would not have amounted to more than 25,000 euros “with expert cleaning.” According to the prosecution, however, they rose to 55,000. The estimated total damage is 115,000 euros. Source: rbb24

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Climate money: it’s simple

It is hardly surprising that social injustices are also manifested in the energy transition and climate protection. For instance, the CO2 emissions of top earners are on average around 50 per cent higher than those of low-wage earners. The advantage of climate money is that everyone is relieved, but the lower income groups are relieved proportionally more. However, the climate money announced in the coalition agreement is likely not to materialise until 2026 or even 2027. That is why the Sanktionsfrei association and allies are now taking the payment of the climate money – at least to a symbolic number of people – into their own hands. Source: nd

Germany struggles with its pension system

The baby boomers are retiring. However, at the beginning of the 1960s, there were still six employees for every pensioner. Today this ratio is 2:1, continuing to fall. Who pays for the pensions of the elderly? To make it more complex, pensioners have become a significant group of voters. The pension system has therefore become the subject of fierce debate. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) presented a plan for managing the situation, making use of the financial market. Many politicians have also called for groups such as the self-employed and civil servants to be integrated into the statutory insurance system. Source: dw

Twice as much approval

According to the CDU-affiliated Konrad Adenauer Foundation, 14% of first-time voters in Germany believe the AfD is “most likely to solve the problems facing Europe.” This makes the extreme-right party the strongest force among first-time voters. The SPD comes in second, with roughly the same proportion, followed by the Greens (13%). The study also shows the proportion of potential AfD voters among 16 to 22-year-olds is more than twice as high as among all eligible voters. This high level of support for the extreme-right among first-time voters seems surprising because many of them, 81%, also support the EU. Source: taz

Naturalisation test in Germany: to include questions on the Holocaust and Israel

The Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser (SPD), plans to have questions regarding the Holocaust, Israel’s right to exist and Jewish life in the state naturalisation test. Faeser declared to Der Spiegel that anyone who wants to become German must know “what that means and acknowledge Germany’s responsibility.” The Minister intends to amend a regulation for this “shortly.” The new questions for the naturalisation test, as reported by Der Spiegel, would include for instance the name of a Jewish house of prayer, when the state of Israel was founded, and the reasons for Germany’s special responsibility towards Israel. Source: presse augsburg

Die Linke’s four-day week: against neoliberal dogmas

Four-day week with full wage? In opposition to much of the neoliberal belief, Die Linke showed on Monday that nothing is more necessary today than a general reduction in working hours. This would free up time for social engagement as well as for recreation. It is also natural that publicly-owned areas of society make the start. After all, they encompass crucial areas such as nursing, education, public transport and waste disposal. The shortage of skilled labour is particularly serious in these areas, precisely because pay is still below average in many cases. Source: nd