Politics German Politics & News

[muck]

With coalition negotiations concluded, the new government stands.

The most important bullet points (source):

Security

• abolishment of last term's accelerated naturalisation law, reversion to the status quo ante
• permanent border controls
• push-backs of asylum seekers under the Dublin rules (which require migrants arriving in the EU to seek asylum at their point of entry)
• abolishment of the right of asylum seekers to family reunion
• "deportation offensive"
• Germany will leave all national and international programmes to voluntarily take in migrants
• more countries will be designated "safe-to-return", negating a right to asylum
• asylum seekers will not receive monetary benefits any more (replaced by an electronic card allowing access only to basic necessities)
• creation of a data retention law forcing telecom providers to store IP addresses
• "Swedish conscription": mandatory examination for military service, but voluntary call-up; possibly reverting to mandatory call-ups after the mid-term if not enough men volunteer
• drastically increased military-spending
• reduction of military bureaucracy
• introduction of multi-year defence budgets to facilitate large investments
• national defence industry revitalisation through a bundle of measures, including but not limited to purchase of shares, guaranteed purchase contracts, research grants, reduction of bureaucracy and eased access to loans
• establishment of a national security council and national security advisor

Economy

• steep reduction of electricity costs
• steady reduction of corporate taxes at a rate of 1% per year
• steady reduction of business taxes at a rate of 1% per year
• tax breaks for low incomes
• more generous write-off laws
• abolishment of last term's supply chain law
• abolishment of last term's mandatory heating replacement law
• Germany will not build new nuclear power plants
• establishment of a new dedicated ministry for digitalisation
• reintroduction of fuel tax breaks for farmers
• reduction of federal government staff by 8%

Social policies

• abolishment of last term's "citizen's welfare payment" (which in practice had acted as an almost universal basic income)
• mandatory language tests for all four-year-olds to ensure adequate education and integration
• federal minimum wage of €15 per hour
• increased commuting allowance
• increased pensions for stay-at-home mothers
• cannabis remains legal
• pensioners who chose to continue to work will be exempt from taxation on their self-earned income
• overtime hours will be exempt from taxation

 

[haze99]

German Journalist Given Seven Month Sentence for Meme Mocking Gov't

A news editor faces a hefty fine and a seven-month prison sentence for posting a meme mocking the German government's "hatred" of free speech.

www.breitbart.com

Mitt Danke!

 

[muck]

German Journalist Given Seven Month Sentence for Meme Mocking Gov't

A news editor faces a hefty fine and a seven-month prison sentence for posting a meme mocking the German government's "hatred" of free speech.

www.breitbart.com

What a ridiculous sentence, suspended or not. This was just a magistrate's court, though; I'd expect the ruling to be squashed by the county court, as it was in clear violation of the (already too severe) law against infringing with an elected official's duties. Suggesting that a minister's policies reflect their hatred for a certain subject is under German jurisprudence permissible Schmähkritik (roughly: abusive criticism). I highly doubt that that judge would've sentenced a journalist for suggesting the economy minister hates the environment …

 

[haze99]

Populist AfD Becomes Most Supported Party in Germany First Time

Germany's AfD party topped a national poll for the first time in history, as support for the incoming government continues to slide.

www.breitbart.com

 

[Hiryu2.0]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-incoming-government-agrees-get-tougher-illegal-migration-2025-04-09/

 

[primer]

Orange mind virus

 

[muck]

@Jake84 asked for my (legal) opinion on that self defence-related article that you'd posted, I gave it. And merely pointed out that the outrage expressed in that article – which you (according to your own words) shared – was unwarranted.

The American woman was given a suspended two-year-sentence for manslaughter today, the all-female court ruling she was retaliating rather than defending against an ongoing attack. There's no "stand your ground" clause in open areas in Germany, if you can safely retreat you're expected to do as much. The court also ordered the defendant to undergo drug therapy, apparently she'd stabbed that pervo whilst under the influence. (Source)

 

[NebrHogger]

The American woman was given a suspended two-year-sentence for manslaughter today, the all-female court ruling she was retaliating rather than defending against an ongoing attack. There's no "stand your ground" clause in open areas in Germany, if you can safely retreat you're expected to do as much. The court also ordered the defendant to undergo drug therapy, apparently she'd stabbed that pervo whilst under the influence. (Source)

Sounds like she was actually due a community improvement award.

 

[muck]

I'd agree if she'd taught him a lesson by scaring him off or hurting him, but killing him outright? That's a bit harsh. Hate to be the devil's advocate here, but it's not like that old prick had tried to rape her. I mean, don't forget the drugs, which apparently influenced her decision-making quite a bit. Just imagine you bump into someone by accident, she turns out to be a druggie feeling threatened and shanks you … This whole episode was just a charlie foxtrott no matter how you look at it.

 

[haze99]

 

[Picanha]

I'd agree if she'd taught him a lesson by scaring him off or hurting him, but killing him outright? That's a bit harsh. Hate to be the devil's advocate here, but it's not like that old prick had tried to rape her. I mean, don't forget the drugs, which apparently influenced her decision-making quite a bit. Just imagine you bump into someone by accident, she turns out to be a druggie feeling threatened and shanks you … This whole episode was just a charlie foxtrott no matter how you look at it.

I think nobody is really sorry about the outcome but Muck precisely got the point.

 

[skaw]

Would like to see if other state officials get confused. Pistorius, current and hopefully future secretary of defense on the left and Laschet, former candidate for chancellor and maybe future secretary of state.

 

[PEMM]

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Would like to see if other state officials get confused. Pistorius, current and hopefully future secretary of defense on the left and Laschet, former candidate for chancellor and maybe future secretary of state.

Have you seen them together? This might be a scam to get paid twice.