“If Berlin wants to transfer the money — you’re very welcome! We will even grant a discount if the money is received by the end of the year,” Sikorski said, and then added: “But seriously: money is a difficult issue in times of war and crisis.” Instead, the foreign minister suggested that the German government … Read more
The government has described the fossil gas power plants as “modern, highly flexible and climate-friendly” because they will be capable of conversion to use clean-burning hydrogen gas produced from renewable sources. The plants are projected to produce up to 10 gigawatts of electricity. Tenders for the projects will begin soon. German energy firm Uniper, which … Read more
The 2024 budget was delayed after Germany’s constitutional court in November blew a €60 billion hole into the country’s finances, forcing the ruling coalition of Social Democrats (SPD), Free Democrats (FDP) and Greens to cut spending, triggering infighting among parties. The debt brake, combined with the court’s ruling in November — which restricted use of … Read more
First published in Latvijas Avize, Latvia, January 24, 2024 | By Gatis Sluka First published on Der Spiegel, Germany, January 25, 2024 | By Patrick Chappatte First published in Columbia Missourian, January 25, 2024 | By John Darkow First published on PoliticalCartoons.com, January 22, 2024 | By Guy Parsons First published in U.T. Independent, India, … Read more
BERLIN — Emmanuel Macron: French president, statesman and, er, German speaker. Macron impressed and surprised mourners in the German parliament on Monday by delivering a eulogy for Wolfgang Schäuble predominantly in German — for which he needed just a few hours of practice, according to his German teacher. The French president had been invited to the … Read more
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party will push for a referendum on Germany’s EU membership if it ever comes to power, said co-leader Alice Weidel. The party wants to reform the EU and limit the European Commission’s power, but “if such a reform is not possible, if we cannot restore the sovereignty of the EU … Read more
Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BERLIN — German farmers commenced a week of planned protests on Monday while officials warned that far-right groups are attempting to co-opt the movement for their own political ends. The farmers began the day by blocking roads across much of the country in response … Read more
BERLIN — Germany’s three-party ruling coalition on Thursday partly backed down from a proposal to cut tax privileges for farmers after facing emotional protests. The government said in a statement that it would gradually phase out tax breaks on diesel fuel for farmers over multiple years rather than cut the benefit abruptly as coalition leaders … Read more
Wolfgang Schäuble, former German finance minister, longstanding senior lawmaker and a key figure behind Berlin’s controversial austerity push during the eurozone financial crisis, has died at the age of 81. Schäuble, a member of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 1965, “fell asleep peacefully at home with his family” on Tuesday evening after a … Read more
BERLIN — Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany on Saturday rejected claims that Berlin may be pressuring Kyiv behind closed doors to reach a peace deal with Russia. The speculation has been fueled by a report in the German magazine Der Spiegel on Friday about a secret “Russia dinner” in the German embassy in Washington in late … Read more
