Stories from Germany

A former GDR opposition member was re-elected yesterday by the Bundestag for a second term. She will serve as Commissioner for the Victims of the SED Dictatorship, an office she has held since 2021. Zube said that Germans live in a democracy despite existing problems.

A football match saw Bayern score, with up to 15,000 VfB fans attending the duel.

Customers of Sparkasse Gelsenkirchen-Buer are receiving their first items back today, nearly half a year after a robbery where most of the loot remains missing. Many customers find the process too slow, leading approximately 500 people to protest yesterday in front of the bank. More than four months after a savings bank robbery in Gelsenkirchen that occurred after Christmas, the bank is attempting to return items scattered in the safe deposit box room to customers. Over 100 million euros were likely stolen in the incident. Today, the first items are being handed over to customers, following a demonstration by victims yesterday in front of the Sparkasse. Police are investigating the robbery but have released few details.

A musical featuring a live band is set to have its world premiere, marking the first time it will be performed in this specific format.

Plastic parts were reported on the right lane of the A36 highway. The debris was located between Plötzkau and Könnern, in the vicinity of Dresden.

A real estate company has not yet responded to an inquiry regarding the shutdown of 'Estate 77'.

German Finance Minister Klingbeil is facing a situation where 52 billion Euros are being foregone compared to previous forecasts. German Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated yesterday that the federal government anticipates 10 billion euros less revenue for next year's budget than initially planned. This expected shortfall will also affect municipalities, potentially leading to consequences such as unrenovated swimming pools and reduced cultural funding for local clubs. Federal Finance Minister Klingbeil is seeking other possibilities after a planned tax-free bonus for employees was rejected. German Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner observed a lack of cooperation between the federal government and the states.

Numerous streets in the Hamburg harbor area will be closed until approximately 12 PM on Monday.

The Bergische Energie- und Wasserversorgung (BEW) informed tenants via letter that heating and elevators will cease functioning. The utility advised residents to store water and prepare for alternative hot water sources.

The Bavarian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution has identified individual groups from the left-wing extremist spectrum as regional drivers behind current strike calls. The BR learned from circles of the authority that the Munich local group of the Socialist German Workers' Youth (SDAJ) is among these groups. The SDAJ is the former youth organization of the German Communist Party and remains close to it, according to its own statements. Both organizations are currently being monitored. Videos related to the campaign are found on accounts of local strike committees and extremist groups, with content and slogans often being similar. The press team for the initiative stated that active students are doing the essential work behind the campaign, in response to multiple inquiries since early March.