News from Berlin
Naidoo at the Victory Column, Neo-Nazis in Mitte and Marzahn
Three right-wing demonstrations kept Berlin’s anti-fascists busy on March 14. Xavier Naidoo, who, in addition to his musical comeback, is once again publicly spreading conspiracy theories, was among those who mobilized for the demonstration at the Victory Column. 10,000 participants were registered, but an estimated 500 attended. There was no sign of any counter-protests at the Victory Column. In contrast, an estimated 200 Antifa activists gathered at Potsdamer Platz to demonstrate against a neo-Nazi march. Around 160 staunch neo-Nazis also marched in Marzahn this Saturday, mobilized by the far right and nationalist micro-party Der Dritte Weg (The Third Way). Antifascist counter-protesters also gathered there. Source: taz
Public prosecutor’s office investigates initial suspicion against Wedl-Wilson
For weeks, Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson has been under fire for awarding Senate Chancellery funding to projects by CDU colleagues. As reported by the Tagesspiegel, the public prosecutor’s office is now investigating the case, examining whether there is initial suspicion of a crime, such as breach of trust. The background to the controversy is the awarding of funds for projects against antisemitism. According to reports, CDU politician Christian Goiny allegedly pressured Wedl-Wilson to quickly release €2.6 million in funding. The CDU budget expert has repeatedly rejected accusations of undue influence on the allocation of funding for antisemitism projects. Source: bz
News from Germany
Die Linke in Baden-Württemberg: a brief performance analysis
Disappointment was written all over the faces of Die Linke members when the results of the Baden-Württemberg election were announced: 4.4%. That was below expectations, especially since Die Linke had been consistently polling at six to seven percent until shortly before the election. Accordingly, Die Linke had been quite confident of entering the state parliament in the southwest for the first time. Despite failing, the party sees itself as strengthened after the elections. Source: nd
Germany’s automotive industry: suppliers reorient themselves
Electric cars and declining sales—the automotive industry’s suppliers also feel the effects of the upheaval. Since 2019, suppliers alone have cut around 55,000 jobs. Tight margins, common for companies which manufacture parts and components for combustion engines, mean many lack the funds for investment. Those who can seek new business areas. An example is EBM-Papst, which now focuses on fans and ventilators for data centers and hospitals. Despite such challenges, Germany has become the world’s second-largest producer of electric vehicles. According to IW Consult, around 182,000 people are now employed nationwide in the three “opportunity areas” of electrification, automation, and connectivity. Source: dw
Antisemitism Commissioner Büttner leaves Die Linke
The antisemitism commissioner for the state of Brandenburg, Andreas Büttner, has ended his membership in Die Linke. He doesn’t like his decision, but he considers it a “necessary step.” The Jüdische Allgemeine was the first to report on his departure. The reason for his resignation was a resolution which passed at the Lower Saxony Die Linke state convention over the weekend, “Rejection of Zionism.” Büttner writes he can no longer remain a member of this party without betraying his own convictions, claiming that anyone who deprecates Israel as a “genocidal state” is adopting narratives which are part of modern antisemitic ideology. Source: spiegel
Söder calls for mini nuclear power plants in Germany
Given the debate about energy security in Germany, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) has advocated for a test run of a so-called mini nuclear power plant. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) called the nuclear phase-out “irreversible,” but also expressed his regret about it. The SPD’s energy expert in the Bundestag, Nina Scheer, described Söder’s proposal as “absurd.” Julia Verlinden (Greens) told the AFP news agency that mini nuclear power plants are “a particularly expensive and risky technology.” Recently, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) has announced new EU funding for research and investment in nuclear energy at a nuclear energy summit in France. Source: tagesschau
Union ver.di calls for public transport warning strike
The union ver.di is currently conducting collective bargaining negotiations for public transport employees in almost all German states. Agreements have already been reached in Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein. “In many states, we are unfortunately still at the very beginning,” ver.di Vice Chair Christine Behle stated on March 16. In Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland, Thuringia, and at the Hamburg public transport company (Hochbahn), negotiations are also taking place regarding higher wages and salaries. However, Brandenburg (and Berlin) will not participate in the announced warning strike in public transport on March 18 and 19. Source: rbb
Germany will meet its 2025 climate targets—but only just
Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany fell by only 0.1% in 2025 compared to 2024. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) spoke of “stagnation in many areas” and urged significantly greater efforts. According to the German Environment Agency (UBA), emissions in 2025 amounted to around 649 million tons of CO₂ equivalents. While this means Germany fell below the total amount permitted for the year under the Climate Protection Act, the reduction was significantly smaller than in previous years. Overall, emissions are now 48% below 1990 levels—the legal target stipulates a 65% reduction by 2030. Schneider announced that the cabinet is to adopt a new climate protection program on March 25. Source: dw
Müller Milk billionaire proposes CDU-AfD alliance
Entrepreneur Theo Müller, known among other things for the Müller Milk brand, has proposed that the CDU in Baden-Württemberg form a coalition with the AfD. Speaking to the Bild, Müller said: “The CDU doesn’t have to shrink itself and become Cem Özdemir’s junior partner.” Müller’s relationship with the AfD has been the subject of speculation and controversy for some time: last February, he lost a lawsuit against Campact; the point of contention was the statement “Theo Müller supports the AfD.” Campact is allowed to continue making this claim. In the southern German state a Green-Black coalition has been governing since 2021, and this is likely to continue. Source: bz
