-
ECB raises key interest rate: Higher rates hit loans, government budgets, and growth
On Thursday in Frankfurt, the European Central Bank raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, as energy prices and inflation are once again rising sharply following the war involving Iran. The deposit rate is rising to 2.25 percent, making loans more expensive for consumers, businesses, and governments. The decision comes at a time…
-
German foundries are losing their foundation: High electricity prices threaten a key industry
In June 2026, the crisis facing German foundries is intensifying as high electricity prices, rising CO₂ costs, weak order volumes, and bureaucracy place an overwhelming economic burden on many companies. These 545 enterprises supply components for machinery, vehicles, ships, energy systems, and electrical engineering; consequently, this situation affects more than just individual plants—it impacts supply…
-
Far-left link in Reutlingen: Striking parallels to the Berlin blackout
In Reutlingen, an arson attack on the Reutlingen-West substation triggered a widespread power outage during the night leading into Monday, June 8, 2026. According to state authorities, multiple fires broke out on the premises at approximately 1:43 a.m. Investigators later discovered evidence of accelerants. Consequently, they are investigating the incident as a case of arson…
-
Oil companies under fire: The state still collects the most from fuel
In Germany, motorists are paying nearly 1.90 euros per liter for Super E10 or diesel in June 2026, despite a temporary tax cut. The federal government criticizes oil companies for potential windfall profits, even though the state itself—through energy taxes and VAT—receives the largest share of the final price. This situation is driven by high…
-
Workers demonstrate in Berlin and Saarland for a sustainable steel industry
According to union figures, thousands of people took to the streets in Berlin and Saarland on Friday to support the future of the steel industry. “The steel industry must remain,” declared Jürgen Kerner, Deputy Chairman of IG Metall. “We want to produce green steel; our steelworks will become climate-neutral wherever possible.” Policymakers must consistently implement…
-
Fuel tax discount ends: Coalition scraps consumer relief and warns oil companies
On June 10 in Berlin, the Union and the SPD decided to let the fuel tax cut expire on July 1. This temporary relief measure had been in effect since early May, lowering energy taxes on petrol and diesel. It was prompted by a sharp rise in oil prices following renewed tensions in the Middle…
-
Northvolt debacle in Heide: Court reprimands state government over multi-million-euro guarantee
On May 29, 2026, the State Constitutional Court of Schleswig-Holstein exacerbated the political and legal fallout of the Northvolt debacle. The judges ruled that the state government had failed to fully inform the state parliament before approving guarantees for a €600 million convertible bond. The case concerned the planned battery plant near Heide, which was…
-
Printing press manufacturer Manroland closes Offenbach plant: 750 jobs lost
A significant chapter of Hessian industrial history will come to an end in Offenbach in 2026, as printing press manufacturer Manroland Sheetfed ceases regular business operations on June 1. The company had initiated protective shield proceedings in March after the situation was exacerbated by heavy losses and a sharply shrinking market for new sheet-fed offset…
-
Industrial electricity price fuels subsidy spiral: Consumers pay for costly energy policy
The EU Commission has authorized Germany to provide greater relief on electricity costs to electricity-intensive industrial companies starting in 2026. This will require the federal government to budget an additional one billion euros, as industrial electricity pricing and electricity price compensation measures may now be partially combined. The primary beneficiaries are expected to be sectors…
-
EU agricultural funds: Debate over per-farmer cap
In the negotiations regarding billions in European agricultural subsidies, a cap on funding per farmer is likely to spark debate. On Wednesday, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator, Norbert Lins (CDU), proposed raising the ceiling significantly and linking it to the individual farmer rather than the farm itself. The German Farmers’ Association also views the currently…
-
EU aims to encourage households to save electricity due to AI’s power demand
On June 3, 2026, Brussels unveiled new energy plans for the European Union. The EU Commission aims to encourage private households to shift their electricity consumption away from expensive peak periods. This move is driven by the rapidly growing demand from AI data centers, the electrification of transport and industry, and limited grid capacity. The…
-
Solar boom drives up electricity costs: 50Hertz CEO calls for different priorities in solar expansion
In an interview, 50Hertz CEO Stefan Kapferer took a critical view of the continued expansion of solar power in Germany and called for different priorities over the next five to six years. His comments were prompted by situations—such as the one on May 1st—characterized by high solar power generation and low demand. These conditions lead…
-
Missunde III: How an electric ferry is becoming a symbol of failed energy policy
Since 2021, the new “Missunde III” ferry on the Schlei in Schleswig-Holstein has become a cautionary tale regarding flawed energy policy, rising costs, and a lack of operational viability. The electric ferry was intended to replace the old diesel-powered “Missunde II” and was originally scheduled to enter service much earlier; initial reports cited April 2023,…
-
Agricultural emissions: Denmark to calculate new levy based on animal species and farming method starting in 2030
Starting in 2030, the state will levy a charge on calculated greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production. This will be based on activity data and emission factors, with values converted into CO₂ equivalents. Farms raising cattle, pigs, and sheep will be primarily affected. This decision is significant for Germany because Denmark is establishing a concrete…
-
Dispute between the Greens and Agriculture Minister Rainer over fertilizer regulations to be heard by the Federal Constitutional Court on Tuesday
A dispute between the Green Party and Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) regarding the rights of the Bundestag is reaching the Federal Constitutional Court. On Tuesday, the court will hear a motion filed by the Green parliamentary group in Karlsruhe. The case concerns the abolition of the so-called “material flow balance ordinance” for farms;…