Stories from Germany

German politician Friedrich Merz has called for fiscal austerity, rejecting the use of eurobonds to fund national priorities. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Union retreat in Berlin. Speaking at the Union retreat in Berlin, Merz stated that despite the crisis in Iran, there is currently no emergency requiring such measures. The decision comes amid ongoing discussions regarding fiscal policy and the Iranian crisis. Mirsch said the importance of maintaining family insurance. The rejection follows a weekend suggestion by SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Mirsch to pause the rule if the Iran crisis escalates. Chancellor Merz rejected the possibility of suspending Germany's debt brake despite suggestions from Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil. Klingbeil noted that the constitution allows for emergency debt decisions if economic impacts from the Iran war persist.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegener dismissed Culture Senator Sarah Wedel-Wilson on Friday following a scandal involving the illegal allocation of subsidies for anti-semitism projects. This move highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding the distribution of public funds for social initiatives in the German capital. Christian Goini, the budget policy spokesperson for the CDU district association in Steglitz-Zehlendorf, may resign from his post. The move follows discussions regarding the management of subsidies and a report from the Court of Auditors. Governing Mayor Kai Wegener has faced scrutiny over the handling of funding processes. Sabine Müller reported the development for RBB 24. Berlin Finance Senator Sarah Whittle Wilson has resigned following a state audit report. The Landesrechnungshof (State Audit Office) identified the funding of antisemitism projects as evidently unlawful.

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.

A humpback whale continues to remain in the waters off the coast of Poel. Local authorities are working on dredging a channel to manage the situation and ensure maritime safety. The presence of the large marine mammal has drawn significant local attention. Live streams showed the whale being transported past Denmark toward the North Sea. The animal is described as having a water-filled core. Humpback whales have been present throughout the entire season without breaks during Northern and Southern migration shifts. Researchers noted a large number of whales staying in the area instead of moving north as expected. This research aims to help scientists develop more effective conservation strategies.

SAP reported Q1 2026 cloud revenue of €5.96 billion, representing a 27% increase at constant currencies. The company's current cloud backlog has also risen by 25% to €21.9 billion. This growth indicates strong momentum in the enterprise software sector despite broader economic shifts. Software company SAP released its first quarter financial results on Friday. The company reported growth in its cloud business despite recent market pressure regarding competition from artificial intelligence. Investors had previously expressed concerns that AI could displace traditional software offerings. The report comes as the DAX index faces downward pressure due to geopolitical uncertainty. This growth follows a period where other tech entities reported quarterly results below market expectations. The increase is measured against the first quarter of the previous year.

Researchers at Fraunhofer have successfully developed a 3D-printed biomimetic tissue substitute designed to mimic natural tissue mechanics. The technology utilizes a combination of polyurethane acrylate, a wavy metastructure, and electrospun collagen to achieve these properties. This advancement could significantly impact regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. This technology can currently produce proteins, viruses, and bacterial cells. The next stage of development aims to allow internet-connected devices to manufacture personalized vaccine doses. The process involves converting digital code into biological matter via a specialized circuitry system.

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.

Lufthansa has introduced a new tariff that removes free carry-on baggage for passengers. The change requires travelers to book hand luggage separately under the updated pricing structure. This move reflects broader industry shifts in airline ancillary revenue models. The change affects passengers booking the lowest tier of service.