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Despite insolvency, broken promises, and spiraling costs, Schleswig-Holstein is sticking to its controversial commitment to Northvolt. Further subsidies amounting to 75 million euros are intended to prop up the loss-making project, even though more than 336 million euros in funding have already been squandered. The state government is thus risking further waste of taxpayers’ money […]

The black-red coalition hopes to revive sluggish sales of electric vehicles with a new subsidy program. However, despite subsidies, improved infrastructure, falling electricity prices, and a growing number of charging stations, the market remains sluggish. Buyers’ lack of confidence in the long-term viability of electromobility is hindering development. Many prospective buyers doubt whether a purchase

The situation at the robot manufacturer Kuka in Augsburg is escalating. The planned job cuts are causing unrest, as more than 400 jobs could be lost at the plant. The industry is under massive pressure due to Asian competitors driving down prices. At the Swabian site, fears are growing that the job cuts could be

The increasingly narrow gap between civil servants’ salaries and basic welfare benefits is bringing the issue of inadequate pay for civil servants into sharp focus. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is planning a comprehensive salary reform that is intended to apply retroactively for five years. Around 200,000 civil servants will benefit from this, because, according

German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly under pressure. Rising energy costs and record-high electricity prices are hitting small and medium-sized businesses particularly hard. While industry is often the focus of political attention, companies in the skilled trades, mechanical engineering, and food production sectors are facing existential threats. According to a study by the

The government’s gigantic debt fund was intended to stimulate the economy and enable investments in infrastructure. However, the money from this so-called special fund is increasingly being misused. Billions of taxpayers’ money are being squandered on political pet projects, while urgently needed future-oriented projects are being neglected. The federal government has created an instrument that

Nearly 900 companies – including several large international corporations – have withdrawn from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This initiative requires members to set scientifically validated climate targets in order to align their emissions goals with international standards. However, more and more companies are questioning the feasibility of these requirements. The withdrawal affects approximately

Europe’s energy transition is on shaky ground, because behind the gleaming facade lurks a massive security risk. The continent has placed its solar infrastructure firmly in the hands of Chinese manufacturers, massively exacerbating its energy dependence. This entanglement increases China’s control over critical power grids – a potential danger that many decision-makers still underestimate. At

The German Environment Agency (UBA) has ignited a heated debate about the future of wood energy with a new report. According to an analysis by the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM), commissioned by the UBA, electricity and heat generated from wood are not considered entirely climate-neutral. This assessment has hit the industry

Despite significant setbacks in subsidized hydrogen projects in Germany, Austria is sticking to its ambitious hydrogen strategy. The Alpine republic is investing 275 million euros in four major national projects and aims to pave the way to becoming a European hub for green hydrogen. Despite the setbacks in the neighboring country, the Ministry of Economy

Rostock’s only hydrogen filling station is facing demolition – a sobering example of failed funding and inflated hopes for the energy transition. Financed with 700,000 euros in subsidies from the federal budget, the project was intended to usher in a new era of environmentally friendly mobility. But neither the oil company Total nor the manufacturers

Support for Windows 10 has ended, and the Ministry of Digital Affairs has long since lost track of the transition to Windows 11. Neither figures on affected computers nor clear plans exist. This demonstrates the extent of government failure in Germany’s digital landscape. The state’s IT infrastructure appears outdated, uncoordinated, and inefficient. While companies have

The Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas is putting an important expansion project on hold. The planned site in Poland was intended to supply rotor blades for large offshore wind farms, but demand for wind energy is declining. Instead of growth, a phase of consolidation is now underway. The company is reacting to the weak market

The construction industry is under massive pressure. High interest rates, rising construction costs, and a lack of investment are driving construction insolvencies upwards. More and more companies are getting into trouble. This trend is sweeping through all German states and highlights the depths of the construction crisis. Demand is plummeting dramatically, especially in residential construction.

High living costs are putting massive pressure on many households. Energy prices, in particular, are devouring ever-increasing portions of income. In 2024, around 4.2 million people lived in households that could not pay their electricity and gas bills. According to the Federal Statistical Office, this corresponds to about five percent of the population. This leaves