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One year of Merz: Coalition leaders give a clear rejection to a minority government
A year after taking office, the leaders of the governing coalition have clearly rejected any premature end to their alliance. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) categorically ruled out both a minority government and new elections, a sentiment echoed on Wednesday by his Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). Meanwhile, a poll on the mood of the German
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Public holiday revealed grid problems – experts called on PV operators to shut down their systems
On May 1, 2026, Germany experienced a massive surplus of solar power because millions of photovoltaic systems fed into the grid, while industry, offices, and many businesses consumed very little electricity on this public holiday. Experts therefore called on private PV operators to temporarily shut down their systems. The appeal addressed an acute grid problem
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Insufficient demand – Coop removes insect-based food products from its product range
The Swiss retail group Coop is largely removing insect-based food products from its product range. This decision follows years of weak sales figures since the products’ market launch in 2017. Back in 2022, competitor Migros had already withdrawn comparable products from its shelves, even though the retailer had previously offered cooking classes related to them.
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Government struggles to explain billions spent on arms: it has lost track of the situation
The German government is facing scrutiny over its billions in military spending, as it cannot reliably demonstrate how much of the contracted equipment for the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) has actually reached the troops and is ready for deployment. Since Olaf Scholz announced a massive rearmament on February 27, 2022, the federal government has concluded
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A fully functional power plant from Lubmin is to be shipped to Ukraine
In Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a fully functional power plant dating back to the Nord Stream era is slated to be shipped to Ukraine. The plant previously heated Russian pipeline gas, but this function became obsolete after gas deliveries ceased. The trigger for this move is Ukraine’s severe energy shortage following Russian attacks. At the same
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Money per ton of CO2 saved: Rich country continues funding program for industry
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is continuing its funding program for energy-intensive industries through so-called climate protection agreements. The ministry, headed by Katherina Reiche (CDU), launched another bidding process on Tuesday, primarily targeting companies in the chemical, metals, cement, lime, glass, paper, and ceramics sectors. The funding conditions have been adjusted in
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Belgium is backing away from its nuclear phase-out and halting the dismantling of its nuclear power plants
Belgium will halt the dismantling of its nuclear power plants at the end of April 2026, thus abandoning its plan for a complete nuclear phase-out. The government is simultaneously considering a state takeover of the plants, as security of supply, high electricity prices, and energy imports are becoming risks. Operators, industry, and households will all
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EU pays Senegal 320 million euros for buses – China wins the contract from Dakar
In Senegal, an EU-funded transport project faces a critical decision. The plan for Dakar includes 380 natural gas-powered buses, 14 routes, two depots, approximately 700 bus stops, 13 terminals, a ticketing system, and road improvements. The project is budgeted at around €320 million. However, reports indicate that the Chinese state-owned company CRRC is the frontrunner.
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The number of employed people is collapsing – Germany’s labor market continues to lose stability
The German labor market deteriorated further in March 2026. The number of employed persons residing in Germany fell to approximately 45.52 million, a decrease of 174,000 compared to the previous year. Seasonally adjusted, a further 25,000 jobs were lost compared to February. At the same time, unemployment rose to around 1.84 million people, an increase
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Aldi Süd is cutting 1,250 jobs at its headquarters – the digital division will be hit particularly hard by the restructuring
Aldi Süd plans to cut approximately 1,250 jobs at its headquarters in Mülheim an der Ruhr by the end of 2027, primarily affecting the IT and digital division Aldi DX and central administrative departments. This is a corporate restructuring following significant staff expansion in digital structures. At the same time, the discount retailer is responding
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ADAC criticizes: Fuel discounts are still not being fully passed on to customers
The ADAC (German Automobile Club) believes that the so-called fuel discount will not be fully passed on to customers. Compared to last Thursday, fuel prices were recently around eleven cents lower, but the reduced energy tax, which came into effect on Friday, should result in a reduction of 16.7 cents per liter, the automobile club
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Germany pays foreign countries up to 88 cents per kWh for solar power purchased from them
At the end of April 2026, Germany temporarily paid substantial sums to attract foreign countries to purchase surplus solar power and other electricity. The market price plummeted to a negative price of minus 48 cents per kilowatt-hour. Simultaneously, operators of older solar power plants received feed-in tariffs of up to 40 cents. This resulted in
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Government refuses to provide information – recipients of state funding for NGOs remain secret
In 2026, the German government plans to again distribute large sums of money to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). However, it remains difficult to ascertain which recipients will receive the funds. In response to a parliamentary inquiry, the government did not provide a complete overview, citing instead the high administrative costs. Meanwhile, citizens are paying ever-increasing taxes,
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Interlübke insolvent: Iran war hits German furniture manufacturer with full force
The furniture manufacturer Interlübke from Rheda-Wiedenbrück filed for insolvency at the end of April 2026 after the Iran-Iraq War significantly increased costs. The Bielefeld District Court appointed attorney Dr. Yorck Tilman Streitbörger as the provisional insolvency administrator. The situation became particularly precarious because the factory still uses oil heating and, at the same time, freight
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Industrial electricity price set – fundamental problem of high electricity prices remains unresolved
Following EU approval on April 16, 2026, the German government is introducing an industrial electricity price for the years 2026 to 2028 because high energy prices put energy-intensive companies at a disadvantage in international competition. The government is providing €3.8 billion for this purpose, while eligible companies will have to pay at least €50 per