News

Munich Oktoberfest 2020 cancelled due to corona crisis

The Munich Oktoberfest and the Central Agricultural Festival on the Theresienwiese are cancelled due to Corona. This was announced today by Bavaria's Minister President Söder and Munich's Mayor Reiter. Both spoke of a painful decision. Folk festivals - such as strong beer festivals or carnival events - have already proved to be virus hubs in the past, said Söder. That is why he agreed with Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SDP), that the risk of holding the Oktoberfest was simply too high....

First alleviations of corona measures announced in Germany

After almost four weeks, the first measures to combat the coronavirus in Germany are being loosened - but private and public life remains severely restricted.

On April 15^th 2020, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the first relaxation of the measures, even though contact restrictions will remain in place until the beginning of May. In mini-steps, public life is to get back on track. The message: we have to get used to a life with the virus.

The most important decisions:

• Major events are...

Corona Crisis and its costs for the German Health Insurance System

Politicians, virologists and the leading health institutes in Germany expect 60 to 70 percent of the people in the country to become infected with the Corona Virus over the next one to two years. At the moment, the only issue is to slow down the spread so that the health system and infrastructure remain functional. It is already clear that medical practices and hospitals are expecting a large number of corona patients who will need treatment and medication. Even though health care is...

Bavaria under curfew

Markus Söder announced today, Friday 20th March, that the state parliament has voted to enact a sweeping curfew across Bavaria for the next two weeks.  Speaking at a press conference, Söder stated that there would be a fine of up to 25,000 Euros for those caught breaking the curfew, which will be enforced by the police. Exceptions will exist under the following circumstances:

• those going to and from work
• visiting local supermarkets for food shoping
• public exercising (runing, jogging,...

Corona and its Effect on the German Health Care System

The corona virus is testing the health systems of many countries. Hospitals in northern Italy are currently working at the limits of their capacity. What does the pandemic mean for German clinics? According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 60 to 70 percent of the population in Germany could become infected with the new corona virus within a period of one to two years. In Germany there are about 28,000 beds for intensive care patients and the country has one of the largest hospital bed...

Germanwings Strike Action for New Years

The airline trade union UFO has called on flight attendants of the Lufthansa subsidiary Germanwings to strike. A spokesman for the union said the call was valid from December 30th 2019 at midnight to January 1st 2020 at midnight. Initially, the strike call only referred to Germanwings. Further strikes should only be announced after January 2, "provided that the Lufthansa Group does not continue to escalate". To justify the strike call, deputy UFO chairman Daniel Flohr said that Germanwings...

Introduction of the Skilled Immigration Act

Germany facilitates immigration for skilled workers from abroad with the introduction of the Skilled Immigration Act, effective March 1, 2020 The shortage of skilled workers is becoming an increasing problem in Germany and a business risk for many companies. The Federal Government therefore now wants to attract qualified employees from non-EU countries to Germany. On March 1, 2020, a new law will enter into force to facilitate immigration for those skilled workers. With the "Skilled...

Ban on New Year's Eve fireworks in many German cities

This New Year's Eve will be different for many, as a lot of the big cities in Germany set stricter guidelines in terms of fireworks. To find out if and where you are still allowed to ignite fireworks on  Dec 31^st in Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne & Co., then read on. The German Environmental and consumer protection organization (DHU), has appealed to nearly 100 German cities to allow or organize only black powder-free New Year's Eve fireworks due to the high levels of...

Capitalism not the cause of environmental destruction

Speaking on November 25 in the European Parliament (EP), left wing politician Mick Wallace voiced a hopelessly misguided theme we will likely hear more of during the big UN climate conference being held in Madrid from Dec 2 - 13: 'capitalism did it.' According to people like Wallace, the main problem for the environment is our capitalistic system. During the debate concerning the just passed EP resolution declaring a global "climate and environmental emergency," Wallace, a new Irish Member of...

Britons want British expats in Germany to help save the UK

Anti-Brexit campaigners in Britain are appealing to British expats in Germany to help save the UK. The campaigners - Proxy Voters Against Brexit - fear that Brexit will break up the UK, will harm Britain's economy, will trigger years of further economic uncertainty and will threaten German and other business confidence in Britain. They are appealing to all the Britons living in Germany to register to vote in next month's UK general election - and then make sure their vote is cast by...

Munich to host European Championships 2022

Munich is hosting another major event in the summer of 2022: the city has been awarded the contract for the European Championships. It will be the biggest sports event in Munich since the 1972 Summer Olympics. For this purpose, the Olympic Park will be rejuvenated, where most competitions will take place. "I do not only hope that the European Championships will provide a powerful impulse for competitive and competitive sports. Above all, such a large international sports festival also boosts...

Lufthansa strikes latest

The union UFO has called flight attendants in Munich and Frankfurt out on a five-hour strike next Sunday.  For updates see the update section at the end of this article. The strike action on October 20^th 2019 is to be limited to five hours between 6:00 am and 11:00 am. UFO calls for a wage increase of 1.8 percent. Lufthansa described the planned warning strikes as unlawful and is aiming to maintain their full flight program on October 20^th. Lufthansa does not expect flight cancellations due...