Stories from Munich · Germany

Markus Söder has proposed allocating 200 million euros over 10 years to purchase 2,000 hectares of moorland. The plan includes peat retention through water management and moorland renaturation measures to be implemented by 2030. The responsible Dona-Moos-Weichverband association has only managed to acquire nearly 200 hectares in the last five years. The initiative aims to expand conservation efforts significantly from current levels. The proposal follows a report that the Donaau-Moos-Wechverband association only managed to restore nearly 200 hectares over the last five years. Gerhard Söder is coordinating a team to identify areas within the 18,000-hectare Donaumoos region for rewetting. The proposal involves acquiring 2,000 hectares of land to restore wetland habitats. The team is experimenting with Paludi-cultures on wet surfaces to facilitate the process.

The Bavarian state government has revised its climate neutrality target to 2045. The Bavarian state cabinet decided that the Free State will now aim to be climate neutral by 2045. Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber of the Free Voters stated that 90 percent of regulations and laws are shaped at the federal and European levels. Glauber noted that Bavaria intended to contribute to ensuring federal targets are met. Glauber stated the state will now adopt federal guidelines to help meet national goals. The decision aims to align state actions with broader federal mandates. The decision aligns the state's timeline more closely with broader German mandates. The Bavarian cabinet has reversed a previous decision to move its climate protection goal forward. The previous target for 90 percent of regulations and laws to reach climate neutrality had been set for 2040.

The Munich district administration office has decided to implement minimum prices for Uber and Bolt services. The decision was reported by Moritz Steinbacher. The minimum base price for rides will be at least 5.13 Euro. Previously, such minimum fare requirements applied only to traditional taxis in the city. The decision was reached by the committee during its session today. For journeys exceeding 7 kilometers, providers must charge at least 2.43 Euro per kilometer. The decision aims to regulate the ride-hailing market in the city. The decision follows a federal law requirement. The decision by the Kreisverwaltungsreferat mandates a base price of at least 5.13 Euro starting in July next year. Previously, these services were on average 40 percent cheaper than taxis. The measure aims to ensure fair competition and protect the local taxi industry from dumping prices.

Five years after an announcement by Ministerpräsident Söder, the state of Bavaria intends to provide 200 million euros for the rewetting of the Donau Moos. The Diocese of Augsburg will receive 394,000 euros for the renovation of the St. Ambrosius spa center. The city of Nuremberg is allocated 340,000 euros to expand 15 studios in the Congress center. The city of Freihung will receive 150,000 euros for supra-local events. Additionally, outgoing Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter will be granted the honorary title of former mayor following the end of his term. Funding covers amateur music, music preservation, contemporary art, museum work, theater libraries, and archives. The funds will be allocated to art associations, initiatives, and municipalities across all regions of Bavaria. Munich city officials plan to transform a former Nazi-era building into a cultural hub by 2028.

Air observers from Oberpfaffenhofen Airport began flying designated routes over high-risk regions including Munich, Ammersee, and the Alpine Foreland starting today. The observers will report potential fires early to emergency services to mitigate rising forest fire dangers. The German Weather Service reported particularly tense conditions in northern Upper Bavaria. High danger level 4 was recently measured multiple times in the Ingolstadt and Eichstätt areas.

The 2026 Chancenmonitor report from the IFO Institute in Munich indicates educational opportunities in Germany are heavily dependent on social background. Researchers at the IFO Institute released the Chancenmonitor report today regarding educational disparities in Germany. The study found that only 37 percent of male students attend a Gymnasium, compared to 43.5 percent of female students. According to the Chancenmonitor study using Mikrozensus data from 67,000 children and adolescents, social background dictates school placement. In contrast, a child from the top income quartile with two Abitur-holding parents has over an 80 percent chance of attending a Gymnasium. The study notes this disparity persists even when a migration background is present in the family.

Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder will not participate in the upcoming Weimar Media Group event. Söder had previously announced a preliminary withdrawal from the event in January. His absence means the Bavarian state reception and his role as patron will no longer take place. A spokesperson declined to provide current comments, referring instead to Söder's statements from January. The decision follows concerns regarding the lack of clear separation between private business and political access at the event. Critics noted that the group provides politicians with direct access to contact lists for networking. The move was reportedly intended to maintain political distance and hygiene. The Bavarian state government has indicated it does not intend to participate in the group financially or personally.

CSU leader Markus Söder indicated support for increasing taxes and levies on wealthy individuals during an appearance on the ARD program Arena. Söder specifically suggested that people earning more than 300,000 euros per year could be held to higher financial responsibilities. This marks a shift from his previous stance of rejecting any tax or levy increases. Söder had previously rejected any increases to taxes and levies, according to the report. The proposal suggests the increase should be retroactive to January 1, 2026. The current commuter allowance is set at 38 cents per kilometer. Mobility expert Professor Alistar Loda from TU Munich criticized the proposal, noting the income tax requirements needed to benefit from a larger amount.

Ludwig Hartmann of the Green Party expressed surprise that high-ranking Bavarian politicians are participating in an event hosted by the Weimar Media Group. The opposition is questioning the lack of clear separation between public and private interests. Florian von Brunnen of the SPD faction in the Bavarian State Parliament has raised concerns regarding the Weimar Media Group. He stated that political distance is required due to the lack of clear separation between the group and political figures. The Bavarian state government has indicated it does not intend to participate in the group financially or personally to maintain political hygiene. This follows the previous withdrawal of a former Minister of State for Culture from the group's management. He stated that the state government appears unwilling to provide financial or personnel support to maintain political distance.

A memorial plaque is being unveiled today at the Perlacher Forst cemetery in Munich. The plaque commemorates victims of the death penalty during the National Socialist era. Ulrich Treben is providing accounts regarding the fates of those affected. A memorial plaque was unveiled at the Ehrenheim II mass grave in Munich to honor victims of Nazi-era executions. The site contains nearly 100 remains, primarily political victims, who were buried at the Perlacher Forst cemetery. Historian Jascha Merz from the Bayerische Gedenkstätten Foundation designed the memorial plaque. The plaques are intended to provide historical context regarding the racist and inhumane policies of the Nazi dictatorship. A QR code on the plaques provides access to a website by the Bavarian Memorial Sites Foundation, where visitors can read biographies and view photos of the victims.