Federal politics: SPD ministers offer Merz combustion engine compromise

In the coalition dispute over the future of the internal combustion engine, the SPD has offered the Chancellery a relaxation of the de facto ban on new cars planned for 2035. In a letter dated Wednesday to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, also on behalf of Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (both SPD), suggests reducing the CO₂ reduction target for new cars from the previous 100 to 95 percent.

The federal government has also agreed on a formulation aid for the government parties to implement the agreed sugar drinks tax. It should be decided in the cabinet tomorrow. The tax is scheduled to start on July 1, 2027.

Starting next year, Germany will be a member of the UN Human Rights Council again. The members of the UN General Assembly in New York gave the Federal Republic of Germany 163 votes in the corresponding vote.