Two new laws are to put an end to exploitation and poor working conditions in the German meat industry. But critics are concerned that these laws don't go far enough. EURACTIV Germany reports.
A probe into the Wirecard affair is picking up speed. At a special session of the Bundestag Finance Committee, MPs have questioned top ministers and lobbyist influence over the government is becoming increasingly clear. Setting up a special inquiry committee is becoming more likely as a result. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The German meat industry has been under fire for years over its low working standards and workers rights. The coronavirus clusters in slaughterhouses have now offered the government an opportunity to intervene. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria's anti-coronavirus measures were partly illegal, as the country's Constitutional Court confirmed last week. On Tuesday (28 July), Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) acknowledged the mistakes and announced plans to reorganise his ministry and amend the Epidemic Law. EURACTIV Germany reports.
In the picturesque village of St. Wolfgang in Upper Austria, a new coronavirus cluster was identified last week, with 53 new infections confirmed over the weekend, mostly in workers in the tourism sector. This fuels fears of a "second Ischgl." EURACTIV Germany reports.
The German business climate is improving: according to a survey, the economy is regaining its optimism. However, this phenomenon should be treated with caution, because many companies still lack future prospects, the DIHK warns. EURACTIV Germany reports.
In the fight against illegal online content, the Austrian government wants to make platforms more accountable. Many details are still missing, but the German NetzDG seems to be a model. Critics fear over-blocking and collateral damage but also see opportunities. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The European Parliament rejected on Thursday (23 July) the hard-won decisions of the EU Council. MEPs criticised, among other things, cuts to climate programmes and voiced fear that billions of euros could fall into the wrong hands. EURACTIV Germany reports.
At the EU summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a U-turn as German advocated for the assumption of joint debts and dissociated itself from the donor countries for the first time and not just for economic reasons. This time, Merkel is fighting for her legacy as a shaper of the EU. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German business associations are cheering the deal EU leaders reached at a marathon summit that ended on Tuesday morning (21 July), and they have every reason to do so, explains economic researcher Jürgen Matthes. But some observers are displeased with cuts in funding for innovation, research or defence. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The European Commission is looking into whether nuclear energy can be classed as a sustainable green investment. But the EU executive's decision to task its research centre with the assessment has already prompted criticism. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The coronavirus pandemic has hit older people hard, with age-related stereotypes reinforced and freedom of movement restricted, according to a study published by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) at the end of June. However, the pandemic may have brought generations closer together again in the short term. EURACTIV Germany reports.
In his presentation of the German EU presidency's priorities, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) urged MEPs on Thursday (16 July) to be more realistic, particularly on renewable energy and relations with China. But he continues to believe that barring Huawei, as the UK recently did, is wrong. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a Bavarian government cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning (14 July) at the invitation of state leader Markus Söder (CSU). The meeting was seen as "a sign of reconciliation" between the two most popular German politicians, after several years of cold relations. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria's EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler does not expect an agreement to be reached at the EU's budget summit on Friday and Saturday. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, she explains where Austria wants to renegotiate and pleads for a stricter link to the rule of law.
Just before the EU Council summit on 17 July, leaders of those EU countries that suffered most from the coronavirus pandemic are meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the politician on whom they pin their hopes for a rapid recovery. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Five days before an EU summit that could adopt a historic EU budget and a recovery fund, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte met Angela Merkel in Berlin. Both support a generous aid fund and both want an agreement at the weekend. But for Conte, the economic survival of his country is at stake. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The energy network of the future will be equipped with a wide variety of storage methods, although constructing storage facilities, in itself, comes with many obstacles. The lack of a uniform concept on the matter is something which some MEPs want to change. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The number of extremist crimes has increased significantly over the past year. The intensity of violent crimes is increasing in both the left and right-wing extremist spectrum. Foreign espionage activities and cyber attacks also pose an increasing threat. EURACTIV Germany reports.
When the coronavirus started spreading earlier this year, a second pandemic developed simultaneously: that of corona-racism. Right-wing extremism researcher Judith Rahner spoke with EURACTIV Germany about racism during the pandemic.
The balance sheet scandal surrounding the payment company Wirecard raises many questions. Politicians are currently vigorously pursuing one of them: Where were the supervisory authorities? EURACTIV Germany reports.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to take part in a "mini-summit" with the leaders of the EU institutions in Brussels on Wednesday evening (8 July). It is her first trip abroad since the coronavirus crisis started, testifying to how seriously she is taking her second and last German presidency of the EU Council. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany said on Tuesday (7 July) it wants EU nations to overcome a deadlock on how to handle refugees and migrants this year, and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) expressed "justified confidence" that a deal can be found. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Rule of law as a priority of the German EU Council presidency was an open secret long before the programme was presented. Thus, it was only fitting that the first Council meeting chaired by Germany was that of the ministers of justice. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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