Sugar tax dispute, student protests in France and universities of excellence

The planned sugar tax is causing disagreements in the black-red federal government. Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil had presented a bill that the Chancellery initially stopped. Union politicians accuse his ministry of going beyond previously agreed guidelines. The Union therefore described the draft as a “provocation,” among other things. Klingbeil then said that the open questions could be quickly clarified. The conflict comes at a sensitive time: the federal government is currently negotiating the next federal budget. Conflicts over the budget also played an important role in the previous traffic light coalition - until the government finally collapsed. What needs to change in how the coalition works together? Benedikt Becker from the politics department at ZEIT analyzes this.

Around 400 schools are currently closed in France. For several days, students across the country have been protesting against planned cuts in the education system. They blocked schools, and in some cases there were fires and clashes with the police. According to the Ministry of Education, at least 65 school employees and 170 teenagers were injured. Around 2,000 demonstrators were arrested. The students criticize, among other things, classes that are too large, a lack of teachers, outdated equipment, long school days and high pressure to perform. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu blames the left-wing La France party for the protests. The party rejects this. ZEIT author Annika Joeres reports on how the government is reacting to the protests.

Also in the update: Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär announced in Bonn which universities will be allowed to bear the title of “University of Excellence” in the future. This brings with it international reputation and funding of up to 28 million euros annually for seven years.

And otherwise? Middle East conflict at Oktoberfest.