Stories from Berlin · Germany

Germany is discussing not cutting care levels but making the requirements for them stricter. The minister also stated that higher earners should pay more for health insurance. Both care and health insurances face a billion-euro deficit without reforms and savings. Waken announced in the Rheinische Post that requirements for a care level (Pflegegrad) are to become stricter than previously expected. This change will lead to modifications in the system, according to the announcement. A German minister plans to maintain existing care level classifications but introduce stricter criteria for new applications. For care levels 1 to 3, scientific criteria recommended before 2017 are expected to apply, meaning more requirements will likely need to be met to obtain a care level. Future requirements for obtaining a care level in Germany will be stricter.

President Dennis described the decision to close the main building of the Technical University (TU) as without alternative. This institutional decision affects the university's operations in Berlin.

The CDU party intends to stabilize statutory long-term care insurance by placing a greater financial burden on higher incomes. The current development already endangers the solvency of care insurance funds in Germany for the ongoing year. Warken told Rheinische Post that higher incomes would be more heavily burdened in care insurance, with the contribution assessment ceiling to be raised. Warken also ruled out abolishing existing care levels but stated stricter requirements would apply, meaning more conditions must be met to receive a care level. The announcement also includes subsidies for those in need of care and measures to obtain a care level. The discussion included details on obtaining a care level and subsidies for individuals in need of care.

A political figure or party attempted to introduce a millionaire's tax but was ultimately unsuccessful.

The Federal Agency for Civic Education is accused of wasting over 100,000 Euros on a democracy project that headlines describe as involving 'worms.' This allegation emerged from an inquiry by the AfD to the federal government. The report noted that reducing the issue to the headline 'worms' makes it sound absurd at first glance.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany is reportedly dissatisfied with current poll results.

The German Bundesrat (Federal Council) rejected a law and sent it back to the 'assembly hall'. A majority of the states stopped the measure, according to Sven Schulze, CDU Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt.

Inforadio RBB reported that Steffen Krach's party, referred to as 'the comrades,' has 'recaptured' the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall) in Berlin.

A 1.6 billion Euro fund, which includes transportation financing, is being discussed for Berlin. The 'Radschnellverbindung 5, Westroute' (Bicycle express connection 5, West route) is planned to be financed using Olympic funds.