Angelika Ahrens
Digital Minister Wildberger calls for international AI control
According to a media report, Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) is pushing for stronger international cooperation in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). "We as humanity are absolutely capable of solving the problem. We are neither at the mercy of the AI nor the situation," said the politician in an interview with the Funke media group, as the newspapers reported in advance on Saturday. He sees good opportunities for an international agreement, such as a security catalog that checks AI programs according to the latest technology. Wildberger cited the International Atomic Energy Agency as a role model. However, it must be clarified how such control can be organized in view of the rapid technological development.
The minister also held the developers of AI technologies accountable. Companies are responsible for ensuring that their products do not become dangerous. The AI is not allowed to carry out independent hacker attacks or steal any data. The companies would have to be held liable for such crimes. The technology does involve risks, but these can be controlled. But the time window for this is not open for long. “We have to act now,” said Wildberger.
Angelika Ahrens
Transport Minister Bilger against general speed limits on motorways
Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger does not believe in a general speed limit on motorways. “A speed limit would change little on the motorways,” the CDU politician told “Spiegel”. “The vast majority of drivers prefer to drive in a relaxed manner with cruise control instead of 220 kilometers per hour. Or they deliberately drive slower because of the high fuel prices.” The discussion will be very emotional. Bilger added: “A speed limit would also annoy many people – and would only have a small climate protection effect.”
A general speed limit has been in the political debate for a long time - for example for more climate protection, fewer traffic deaths or in view of high fuel prices. According to calculations by the Federal Environment Agency, a total of 2.7 percent of road traffic emissions could be saved with a speed limit of 130 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h outside of town.
Angelika Ahrens
SPD General Secretary: No cuts in care services
According to General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf, the SPD does not want to accept any reduction in benefits when reforming nursing care insurance. There's a lot going on when it comes to care, Klüssendorf explained in the evening. "There is a risk of massive cuts, especially for carers, those in need of care, but also their relatives. But we won't allow that." He emphasized: “We do not accept any reduction in services in care.”
Klüssendorf left it unclear what this means in view of the cabinet decision planned for next week to financially stabilize long-term care insurance next year.
Julius Stockheim
Merz: “Europe must finally become sovereign”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of an independent Europe in the world. “We have to make Europe and therefore our country fit in this uncertain world,” said the CDU politician at the gala celebrating the 150th anniversary of the consumer goods manufacturer Henkel in Düsseldorf.
Important trading partners today relied on isolation and questioned the international order. “Europe must finally become sovereign - in defending its integrity and interests, but also in concluding agreements with states outside Europe that share the same values and interests with us,” the Chancellor continued.
Julius Stockheim
Wadephul: Deeper relationship with Canada important
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for people not to focus on words in light of the discussion about Canada's possible associate membership in the European Union. “In my view, it's less about terminology than about us working together in the important areas in greater depth,” said the CDU politician at a meeting with his Canadian colleague Anita Anand in the capital Ottawa.
This also includes the Ceta free trade agreement, cooperation between Canada and the EU in the security and defense areas and support for Ukraine. Both Canada and the EU have shown that there is a “great interest” in further deepening cooperation, said Wadephul. The federal government welcomes this and there will be further discussions on this.
Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in Ottawa. IMAGO/Justin Tang
Eva Glaser
Fuel discounts are also being passed in the Federal Council
After the Bundestag, the fuel discount also passed the Bundesrat on Friday. The mediation committee will not be called. This reduces the high fuel prices in the wake of the Middle East war by 17 cents per liter of diesel and gasoline.
Eva Glaser
Bundestag gives the green light for fuel discounts, it is now the Federal Council's turn
The Bundestag has decided on a fuel discount for the months of October to December. This is intended to reduce the high fuel prices in the wake of the Middle East war by 17 cents per liter of diesel and gasoline. The Federal Council is also expected to give its consent this Friday.
Eva Glaser
Söder warns the SPD and the Greens against forming a coalition with the Left Party
CSU leader Markus Söder has warned the SPD and the Greens in Berlin against a government alliance with the Left Party. "And my appeal to the Greens and the SPD here in Berlin: to check who you are joining forces with. Whether the two really want to form a government with a left-wing extremist group and even rally behind them," said the Bavarian Prime Minister on the sidelines of a meeting of the Federal Council in Berlin. "The Left Party is deeply anti-Semitic. The Left Party here in Berlin in particular celebrates parties with clan heads. That may be the case in individual cases, but from the citizens' point of view, what is happening here is crazy," emphasized Söder.
Eva Glaser
Söder calls for fundamental reform of energy taxes
CSU leader Markus Söder is calling for a fundamental reform of German energy taxes. “We have to talk about CO2 pricing and all price rules that make energy in Germany more expensive for the state,” said the Bavarian Prime Minister before the meeting of the Federal Council in Berlin. He praised the steps to reduce fuel prices, but emphasized that this could only be a first step. “We have to fundamentally think about how we can permanently reduce energy prices.”
A “large package” is needed that will provide lasting relief from high energy prices, said Söder. It cannot be the case that German politicians vacillate every three months as to whether they should intervene or not. Instead of another “one-off operation,” what is needed is a fundamental, long-term regulation. "Because the world situation is what it is. There is no indication that everything will automatically ease in the next few months." But refueling must be affordable again in Germany.
Eva Glaser
States in the Federal Council against higher taxes
There is resistance from the federal states to planned higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sparkling wine. At the first discussion of the federal budget for the coming year and further financial planning in the Bundesrat, Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) said: "Anyone who plugs budget holes with tax money and tax increases is making it too easy for themselves." In particular, a tax increase on sparkling wine would hit Hesse particularly hard as a wine country.
Rhein rejected a sugar tax as a “burden for medium-sized beverage manufacturers”. Rhein stated: “I reject the tax increases that are planned.” Otherwise the price crisis will become “a serious political crisis”. Thuringia's Finance Minister Katja Wolf criticized that high incomes, corporate profits and high assets were spared.
The Bundestag discussed the budget for the first time at the beginning of September. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) is planning to spend 555.4 billion euros - slightly more than this year. In the core budget alone, debts of 118.7 billion euros are to be incurred. There are also new loans from the special funds for infrastructure and climate neutrality as well as for the Bundeswehr. A new plastic tax as well as a higher tobacco, alcohol and sparkling wine tax are expected to bring more money into the coffers in the coming years. A sugar tax is also planned - but details are still open.
Boris Rhein in front of the Federal Council AFP
Luke Bay
Bundestag passes federal police law after new vote
After a voting mishap, the Bundestag approved the Federal Police Act with expanded rights for officers in the second attempt. The absolute majority voted in favor of the project in a roll-call vote on Friday. The vote had to be repeated after the Bundestag passed a resolution with a simple majority in the summer. It subsequently turned out that the law required the so-called Chancellor majority. It will also pass the Federal Council on Friday, which is considered certain. The project does not require approval.
The Federal Police Act stipulates that the federal police are given more rights in the border area and when using and defending against drones. The federal police are primarily supposed to guard train stations and railway facilities, but also the government district in Berlin and the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe. In addition, it should be given more powers in law enforcement and in combating illegal migration.
Luke Bay
AfD expands its lead over the CDU in the federal government
According to a survey, the AfD has increased its lead over the CDU/CSU at the federal level. If there were a federal election next Sunday, the AfD would get 28 percent, one percentage point more than last, ZDF said in its “Political Barometer”. The CDU/CSU would lose one point to 21 percent. The Greens remained unchanged at 14 percent, the SPD improved by one point to 13 percent, and the Left remained at 12 percent. The FDP loses one point to three percent. All other parties would remain unchanged at nine percent. There is no party among them that would achieve at least three percent.
Citing the survey, it was also said that only 28 percent of those surveyed believed that Chancellor Friedrich Merz would largely succeed in continuing his reform course. 85 percent would consider fundamental reforms, which would also lead to financial burdens and cuts, to be important. 65 percent did not believe that Merz would remain Chancellor until the next regular federal election in spring 2029. 79 percent said Merz was doing a rather poor job as Chancellor.
Tim Seckel
Economists criticize “unclear economic policy”
Germany's leading economic researchers criticize the federal government's "unclear economic policy" and call for the announced reforms in the areas of pensions, health and bureaucracy to be continued. Stefan Kooths, head of the forecasting center at the Kiel Institute for Economic Research, criticized on Thursday that reform packages were announced and changed every month. This unsettles investors and the population and leads to reluctance to spend and invest. “We need a climate in which people have confidence again that things are moving forward sensibly in this country again,” said Oliver Holtemöller from the IWH.
He went on to say that economic researchers do not see themselves in a position to recommend or reject individual political ideas such as the end of the “retirement at 63” option. What is clear, however, is that pension spending puts a strain on the federal budget and, in the long term, means that higher debts also drive up interest costs and put a strain on the financial stability of the federal finances.
The “need for consolidation” is currently only being postponed into the future, so that more and more savings will have to be made in the coming years. “Investors also see that,” said Kiel economist Kooths.
Sabrina Frangos
Weber: CSU is “as clear as day” behind Merz
CSU Vice Manfred Weber calls for an end to the personnel debates about Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "He's elected, he should do his job. He has the backing. And now let's implement the reforms," said Weber on the ZDF program "Markus Lanz". Regarding the debate about a chancellor swap, the MEP emphasized: “It is not up for debate.” When asked by the moderator whether the CSU was fully behind Merz, Weber replied: “It’s crystal clear to me.”
Weber warned that we should now concentrate on the upcoming reforms. Many Union voters would be alienated if we did not implement now what was agreed before the summer. Many people were waiting for something to happen now. “That’s why I think it’s right that everyone pulls together now and finally does what we promised.”
Patricia Hoffhaus
Linnemann against further extension of children's sick days
Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann has spoken out against further extending the period during which parents are entitled to child sickness benefit. “This is a rule that we introduced during Corona,” said the CDU politician in the government survey in the Bundestag. He added that politicians would do well “to ensure that special rules that existed for Corona are withdrawn.”
According to a legal stipulation, an extension applies this year - namely 15 days per child and parent and 30 days for single parents. After the end of special regulations in the Corona crisis, the longer period of 15 days had already been extended by law for 2024 and 2025. Previously there were 10 children's sick days per year per parent.
Patricia Hoffhaus
Ex-judge Di Fabio open to office of Federal President
Former Federal Constitutional Judge Udo Di Fabio is open to taking over the office of Federal President. He said this in a podcast from the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. “When this republic calls for office, as a constitutional lawyer, as a constitutional lawyer, you don’t say no,” said Di Fabio. As several media reports, Di Fabio is considered a possible candidate in the CDU.
Di Fabio, now 72 years old, was a judge at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe from 1999 to 2011. The lawyer currently teaches at the University of Bonn. Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been German Federal President since 2017. On January 30, 2027, the Federal Assembly will meet to elect a new head of state.
Tim Seckel
Care reform is due to come to the cabinet at the end of September
CDU Health Minister Carsten Linnemann wants to bring the care reform planned by the black-red coalition to the federal cabinet next week, said
