Stories from Berlin · Germany

The German parliament has voted to strip parliamentary immunity from Die Linke member Gökay Akbulut and AfD member Hannes Gnauck. The specific charges against Akbulut have not yet been clarified by officials. This move allows for potential legal proceedings against the representatives.

Gasoline and diesel prices in Germany have risen following a decision by the Bundestag and Bundesrat to implement a fuel tax adjustment. Average fuel prices decreased by only 10 cents today despite the tax cut. Federal Economy Minister Katharina Reiche is demanding that oil companies pass the full extent of the tax reduction to consumers. The government stated it will closely monitor pricing policies to ensure compliance. The head of the Federal Cartel Office, Mund, stated that the best time to refuel is in the morning. The German Federal Cartel Office reported that the fuel tax discount effective today has reduced midday price increases by 3 to 4 cents compared to previous days. Andreas Mund, head of the Federal Cartel Office, stated this indicates the tax cut is having a price-reducing effect on the noon peak. However, the ADAC stated that today's surcharges are not justified.

Germany has reached a significant milestone in renewable energy, generating 70.8 percent of its power from renewable sources. This achievement highlights the nation's commitment to clean energy and its progress towards climate goals. The data indicates a strong reliance on solar and wind power. Germany produced 45 percent of its total electricity from renewable sources in 2025. When including bioenergy and hydropower, renewable generation accounts for approximately 60 to 65 percent of the country's electricity. The growth in the renewable sector is driven largely by wind power. Germany currently faces energy challenges due to the lack of both Russian gas and sufficient renewable alternatives.

The opening of the Berlin Modern Museum has been postponed until 2030 due to significant moisture damage within the facility. The delay is expected to impact several planned exhibitions and structural timelines. This setback follows previous delays in the museum's construction and renovation phases. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegener stated that a replacement for the resigned Sarah Wedel-Wilson has not yet been found. Wegener noted he has held several good discussions regarding the position. He said he will announce a successor once someone is identified. The role is for the head of Berlin's cultural administration.

The German Bundestag has approved a reform aimed at accelerating the process of awarding public contracts. This legislative move is intended to streamline government procurement and reduce bureaucratic delays in infrastructure and service sectors. The reform is expected to improve efficiency in how the state manages large-scale projects.

The city of Berlin has undergone a political shift resulting in the reversal of funding for major cycling infrastructure projects. Lehmann expressed hope that the decision helps protect cultural locations. The Administrative Court of Berlin ruled in an interim decision that the operators of the bookstore 'Zur schwankenden Weltkugel' successfully defended themselves against statements made by Weimar. The specific nature of these findings remains unclear. Weimar maintains the right to appeal the court's decision to a higher instance. The court's decision provides temporary relief to the organizers. Weimar had previously described three bookstores in Berlin as political extremists during an interview with Die Zeit regarding the German Book Trade Award. The ruling follows an interview by Culture Minister Claudia Schmitt in Die Zeit regarding the German Bookstore Prize.

Germany has announced a strategic plan to become the most powerful military force in Europe within the next 13 years. Proposed revenue measures include a sugar tax on sweet beverages and increased taxes on tobacco and alcohol. The budget bill requires Bundestag approval once finalized. Additionally, the cabinet intends to pass a savings package to relieve statutory health insurance funds. This would represent the second-highest level of new debt in the history of the Federal Republic. Proposed reforms also include spending caps for medical practices, clinics, and the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, the government intends to increase co-payments for medications and restrict free insurance coverage for spouses. The plan involves cutting financial aid and tax incentives while implementing savings in sectors such as healthcare.

The German federal government has released a spring economic forecast significantly reducing its growth projections for 2026. Brent crude oil prices rose to nearly 120 dollars per barrel on the night of Monday, March 9, before dropping below 90 dollars per barrel. Economic scenarios suggest that up to 2.3 million jobs could be destroyed. In all analyzed scenarios, the ratio between jobs destroyed and jobs generated remains negative. The worst-case scenario indicates a net loss in employment. Rising prices have made meat and eggs luxury items for Iranian citizens. Additionally, the cost of imported medicines has become prohibitively high. This follows a period where inflation was at 50% last month. Simultaneously, global economic productivity is projected to decrease by 0.2 percentage points.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the goal of reaching 460,000 regular soldiers and reservists is not a maximum cap but a baseline for military readiness. The strategy also said increased protection against incoming missiles. The German military aims to increase its active personnel to 260,000 soldiers by 2035. Current active personnel levels stand at 185,000. The goal is for the Bundeswehr to become Europe's strongest conventional army. This strategy focuses on conventional forces rather than nuclear capabilities due to existing treaty obligations. Russia has issued warnings to European partners regarding a drone production facility in Germany opened in 2023. The Russian government published locations of such production sites to signal they could become targets for future attacks. The facility is part of an ongoing effort to supply drones to Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has expressed a desire for Germany to assume a more significant role in ensuring European security. The statement comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the continent's defense capabilities and strategic autonomy. This shift could signal a change in Germany's traditional defense posture within the EU. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that a defense strategy is more necessary now than ever before due to Russian aggression and the situation in Ukraine. Pistorius said the need for speed and deterrence in response to these geopolitical shifts. He noted that the current strategic revaluation is in history. The comments come amid changing American political directions and shifting strategic priorities within NATO.