Federal Government

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Commission: no e-fuels proposal before November
In the near future, the Commission wanted to present a proposal that would allow vehicles powered exclusively by e-fuels to be registered even after the 2035 deadline for combustion engines. continue reading →
Habeck: Talk with Brussels about industrial electricity prices
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said that his ministry is already in talks with the EU Commission about a subsidized industrial electricity price. After the cabinet retreat, he said in response to a journalist’s question: “We have repeatedly talked with the Commission about the industrial electricity price.” He said there was an “ongoing channel […] continue reading →
Bank bailout: Lindner criticizes EU proposal
The EU Commission’s push to strengthen crisis management in the banking sector has met with some criticism from the German government. According to information from Table.Media, Berlin is basically behind the Brussels efforts. However, the Commission’s approach envisages very far-reaching changes to the existing regulatory framework. This is neither necessary, nor is there any justification […] continue reading →
Change of diplomat: Steinlein becomes new ambassador in Paris
The Berlin diplomatic merry-go-round continues to spin. This time, it touches Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s two once closest comrades-in-arms. Within a few days, it has become known that the two diplomats Stephan Steinlein and Thomas Bagger will take up new jobs. Steinlein is going to Paris as ambassador, while Bagger will succeed Andreas Michaelis as permanent state […] continue reading →
German government wants EU-wide liberalization of cannabis
After plans in Germany for cannabis legalization failed to stand up to scrutiny by the EU Commission, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is now planning scientifically monitored model projects for the sale of cannabis. The aim is to convince other EU countries of the merits of a liberal cannabis policy. In Brussels, the German government […] continue reading →
Federal Press Office wants to continue using Facebook
The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government (BPA) filed a complaint with the Cologne Administrative Court on Thursday against a decision by the Federal Data Protection Commissioner (BfDI) Ulrich Kelber. At the end of February, Kelber had prohibited the agency from utilizing the Facebook page “Federal Government” in a kind of test case. […] continue reading →
Short-term rent: Council sees little need for changes to Commission draft
In many European cities, short-term rental of residential space to tourists is causing major problems. New harmonized EU rules are intended to ensure transparency. continue reading →
BMWK wants to modernize Mining Act
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is working on key points to make domestic mining more ecological. The mining industry sees no need for action here – but hopes for faster approval procedures. continue reading →
What the German EU ambassador’s ‘urgent letter’ says
The "urgent letter" of German EU Ambassador Michael Clauß is addressed to a larger number of recipients in the German government, including the Chancellor's Office. In it, the top diplomat explains how a member state should act to influence EU legislation. continue reading →
Sven Giegold: ‘I don’t like to argue’
From Attac activist and influential MEP to State Secretary under German minister Robert Habeck: Sven Giegold has had an unusual career. In an interview with Stefan Braun and Malte Kreutzfeldt, he looks back on his first year in the ministry, describes his toughest decision and his secret political passion. continue reading →
SPD calls for EU investment offensive
In response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, the SPD parliamentary group is calling for a European investment offensive for future technologies. “To this end, unused funds from the EU reconstruction program ‘NextGenerationEU’ should be reallocated and, in particular, the energy investment program RePowerEU should be additionally strengthened,” reads a draft to be adopted at […] continue reading →
How the Greens bring Berlin and Brussels together
The Greens are far from being the strongest force in the European Parliament. But when it comes to linking the federal capital with the EU capital, the party is unmatched. continue reading →
German government rejects Polish demands for reparations
The German government sticks to its negative position on Polish demands for reparations for the World War damage caused by Hitler’s Germany. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on the sidelines of her visit to Lisbon that during her visit to Warsaw in October, she had “already made it clear that for us on […] continue reading →
German raw materials strategy: key points published
By revising its raw materials strategy, the German government wants to introduce, among other things, binding recycling quotas, strategic reserves, a public-private fund, and ESG standards for critical raw materials. This is according to the key points paper published yesterday by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMWK).The BMWK plans to add further measures […] continue reading →
Fair Share levy: Germany sees no need
Will the Commission make a proposal in 2023 that Netflix, Amazon, and Co. should help finance broadband expansion in the future? The European Telecommunications Network Operator’s Association ETNO has been beating the drum for "Fair Share" for years. But the German government thinks little of the Commission's ideas so far. continue reading →
Inge Gräßle – ‘I don’t mind being annoying’
“She managed to annoy many people,” Politico wrote about her and voted her 12th on the list of the most influential MEPs in the EU Parliament in 2019 – 16 places ahead of Manfred Weber. The medium called her the “chief budget watchdog.” Persistence, that is important to Ingeborg “Inge” Gräßle. Persistence and determination.After completing […] continue reading →
Ministry for Economic Affairs forecasts overcapacity at LNG terminals
In an internal report, the Ministry for Economic Affairs admits that the LNG terminals planned in Germany will lead to overcapacity. The budget committee has already blocked the funds for one of the terminals, and the ministry no longer believes in the planned terminal in Hamburg. continue reading →
One year of traffic light coalition and Europe: reliably chaotic
The German government wanted to define its positions earlier for European coordination processes and make its own European policy coordination more stringent. But even after a year, the traffic light coalition often fails to live up to this goal – with consequences for Germany's position in the EU. continue reading →