Compiled by Ana Ferreira

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Political fight over headscarf ban

The discussion about the Neutrality Act, which bans the wearing of religious symbols in public schools, the police and the judiciary, is back. In the summer of last year, the Federal Labour Court finally upheld the complaint of a Muslim woman who felt discriminated against because she has not been taken on in the school service because of her headscarf. The Greens and the Left called for an amendment or abolition of the neutrality law and Senator Sandra Scheeres (SPD) declared she would consider going to Karlsruhe. Now, almost half a year later, the time has come. Source: nd

IG Metall-Berlin rejects breaking up of the S-Bahn

Until 15 February 2021, private and public providers can bid for the Berlin S-Bahn tender. IG Metall Berlin rejects privatisation and dismantling the S-Bahn, and demands a halt to the tendering process. According to its own figures, the S-Bahn Berlin transported 485 million passengers on its 16 lines in 2020, around 1.5 million per day. There has been resistance to these plans since they were announced. Like the water supply, local public transport is a service of general interest. Affordable and well-functioning local transport is considered essential for the many companies and employees in the city. Source: IG Metall

NEWS FROM GERMANY

More than 900 attacks on Muslims and mosques in 2020

At least 901 Islamophobic and anti-Muslim crimes were registered by the authorities nationwide in 2020. That was an increase of under two per cent compared to 2019. In most cases, the perpetrators were right-wing extremists. The final figures for 2020 are likely to be even higher, according to the Left Party parliamentary group in the Bundestag. There was already an increase in registered attacks against Muslims and Muslim institutions in 2019. A large part of the assaults are not even reported by the victims because they are ashamed or afraid of the authorities. Source: spiegel

Gay men not allowed to donate blood

Male homosexuals are not allowed to donate blood in Germany, unless they have not had sex with another man for more than a year. This is a rule from the 1980s which discriminates. And, it seems that it will probably remain for the foreseeable future. Permission to donate blood is regulated in the Haemotherapy Guideline, for which the German Medical Association (BÄK) is responsible. According to blood donation services and the BÄK, every blood donation is examined again before it is administered to a patient. Source: taz

Deportations raisethe risk of a global pandemic

A deportation flight from Germany landed in Kabul on Wednesday, and it is a scandal within a scandal. Nearly 9,000 additional new infections were recorded by Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday for Germany, and 43 for Afghanistan on the same day. By deporting people, Germany is driving up the infection rate in a global pandemic. It may seem cynical to cite Corona as a reason for stopping deportations. Little is known about last Wednesday’s collective deportation. Early in the morning, 26 men were picked up. No one protested. Source: taz

AfD brakes for the rich

An exemplary event took place on Thursday in the Bundestag: the AfD, which mainly appears as the avenger of the widows and orphans of the German middle class, praised the Schuldenbremse, the so-called debt brake, which is a money pump anchored in the Basic Law for the enrichment of the richest. The AfD requested that the Federal Constitutional Court review the 2021 federal budget. Most of the parliamentary groups were in favour of the motion, with only the Left Party expressing fundamental opposition. The debt brake only allows a minimum federal debt of up to 0.35 per cent of the gross domestic product. The Bundestag can only decide on an exception in emergencies. Source: jW

Compiled by Ana Ferreira

NEWS FROM BERLIN

The state remains white

For the time being, Berlin will probably not have a migrant quota for the civil service and state-owned companies. The amendment to the Participation and Integration Act drafted by Integration Senator Elke Breitenbach (die LINKE) originally envisaged a quota of 35 per cent for people with a migration background. Christine Lang (Max Planck Institute) considers a quota to be a “delicate matter” and a last resort, but she believes it is a suitable means of exerting pressure on the administration. “Any kind of diversity is good for the administration because it is very white,” Lang told “nd”. Source: nd

Protestant foundation sells real estate in Neukölln

Shortly before Christmas, a building at Anzengruberstraße 24 was sold by the Evangelisches Johannesstift Foundation to an as yet unknown new owner. The social charter agreed with the buyer “aims to protect the existing tenants for many years (…).” According to the tenants, the average rent is five euros per square metre. About half of the residents are pensioners, any many live on basic benefits. They criticise the agreement for only protecting existing tenants, “New neighbours would be second-class tenants.” “The charter only offers de facto legal protection against rent increases and modernisation – it is completely worthless here,” the tenants say. Source: nd

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Die LINKE in Saxony-Anhalt selects its candidates for the local elections

When Eva von Angern received the good news, she rose briefly from her seat. At the representatives’ meeting of the Left (die LINKE) in Saxony-Anhalt, it was noticeable the personnel did not change too much compared to the last election – despite the new top candidate. Meanwhile, there was frustration among the Left Youth. Although its candidates could still directly enter the state parliament, this is likely to be difficult. Source: nd

Labour market in shutdown

The head of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), Detlef Scheele (SPD), said thet the labour market is “still in robust shape. But the measures taken to contain the corona pandemic are leaving their mark.” There has been a significant increase in unemployment and so-called underemployment, a high number of short-time workers, and fewer vacancies and training places. According to the BA, there were 2.9 million unemployed in January, almost 200,000 more than a month earlier. The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) forecast a three per cent drop in gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2021. Source: jW

More armed right-wing extremists

The number of right-wing extremists with gun permits known to the authorities has risen significantly in 2020. According to a response by the federal government, security authorities counted around 1,200 actual or suspected right-wing extremists legally in possession of weapons at the end of last year. There are two types of weapons permits: for hunters and sports shooters. The new weapons law has been in force for about a year – now, a check is made on people applying for a permit and every three years thereafter, to see that they have the necessary “reliability and personal suitability”. Source: taz

Lübcke case´s appeals

The right-wing extremist Stephan E. from Kassel was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Walter Lübcke. The co-defendant Markus H., however, was acquitted. Lübcke’s family declared that the acquittal was “incomprehensible and difficult to cope with”. Now the relatives are appealing against the verdict. They are not alone. All other parties to the trial are also contesting the sentences: the federal prosecution; Markus H.; the main defendant, Stephan E.; and Ahmed I., who was stabbed with a knife in front of his asylum accommodation in Kassel on 6 January 2016. Stephan E. was also charged with this crime. Source: taz

German TV show and Racism

German TV personalities apologised for taking part in a controversial show, which discussed racism. All of the participants were white. The discussion on WDR’s “The Last Resort” featured guests dismissing calls to rename “Zigeunersoße,” or “gypsy sauce.” Germany’s Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency condemned the “unspeakable statements,” while Saskia Esken (SPD) tweeted that she was “lost for words.” In response to the controversy, German broadcaster WDR issued a statement saying the criticism was warranted, and that the panel should have included people who were directly affected by racism. Source: vice

Too black and too gay

In November 2020, a 51-year-old doctor started a petition on the anti-discrimination platform “allout” because his application to succeed the retired senior medical officer Andreas von Welczeck has been repeatedly rejected. He accuses the responsible city health councillor Bernd Geschanowski (AfD) of having prevented his appointment because he was “too gay” and “too black.”. “You don’t fit here,” Geschanowski is said to have said to him. “While saying this, Mr Geschanowski pointed to his skin. The Cuban-born doctor mentions his experience and qualification. In his petition, he writes he worked many years at the Bremen Health Department, as well with the organization „Doctors Without Borders.“ Source: nd

Compiled by Ana Ferreira

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Berlin wants to set up its own vaccine production

In cooperation with the private pharmaceutical company Berlin-Chemie, Berlin wants to establish its own vaccine production. “Berlin is ready to help,” said Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD) in the Berlin House of Representatives on Thursday. The health administration is in talks with the company in this regard. The company is willing to set up its own vaccine production in Berlin, Kalayci said. The necessary resources are available “to set up and quickly expand vaccine production”. According to the health senator, the company has both a suitable production hall and the necessary staff to produce vaccine. Source: nd

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Poor despite work

The corona pandemic and related policies do not affect everyone in Germany equally. A study from the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) concludes that “(…) lower real wages is emerging.” Also, according to the authors, one in six dependent employees is currently considered poor. This includes above all women, young professionals and an increasing number of older people. There is still a gap of about 20 per cent between the incomes of women and men. The wage gap in East and West Germany remained unchanged. The authors sum up that “wealth is often male,” and that the pandemic is widening the gap. Source: jW

Broad alliance demands more Corona emergency aid for the poor

In a joint appeal, top representatives of 36 national trade unions and associations demand a rapid increase of the standard rates in Hartz IV and basic pensions to at least 600 euros as well as immediate additional Corona aid for poor people. Never before has there been such a broad civil society alliance for a needs-based, poverty-proof adjustment of the standard rates to a concrete level. The signatories appeal to the federal government to finally take action in the field of poverty policy. The alliance also demands financing of the purchase of an internet-compatible computer for poor pupils and credit moratoria. Source: lokalkompass

Opposition to lifting the Debt Brake

Even if the pandemic were to be over soon and the economy recovers, Germany’s economic output at the end of 2021 will be significantly lower than at the end of 2019. Government spending, however, has increased – from short-time allowances to vaccinations. The question now is how to reconcile this fact with the Basic Law, which provides for a debt brake (Schuldenbremse). The Chancellor’s Office wants honesty and commitment. That is sympathetic – but not enough to modify the debt brake. It must be removed altogether. However, the hysterical reactions to Helge Braun’s (CDU) proposal show the debt brake is sacrosanct for many Germans. Source: taz

Corona: Germany forgets its refugees

There is eager debate about the damaging consequences of the lockdown for children and young people, the economy and culture, but what about refugees? They suffer a double burden: in addition to the fear of being deported, there is the fear of being infected by the virus and the psychological consequences of the lockdown. Memet Kilic (BZI) has therefore called for a summit meeting with representatives of the federal government, the states and NGOs to tackle the most urgent problems and challenges. Meanwhile, Wiebke Judith (Pro Asyl) points out that “collective deportations to various countries take place on a regular basis.” Source: dw

Life sentence for main killer of German politician

Stephan Ernst was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Walter Lübcke. Co-defendant Markus H. received a suspended sentence. Ernst had repeatedly confessed to the crime – but in three different versions. Most recently, he incriminated his co-defendant Markus H. On Thursday, the Higher Regional Court sentenced H. to a suspended sentence of one year and six months for violating the Weapons Act. Originally, he has been charged with accessory to murder. The crime is considered the first right-wing extremist murder of a politician in the Federal Republic. The trial took place under strict hygiene conditions because of the corona pandemic. Source: taz

Compiled by Ana Ferreira

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Possible migrant quota in Berlin’s civil service

A migrant quota for Berlin’s civil service may be legally permissible, but only after an amendment to the city constitution. Integration Senator Elke Breitenbach (die LINKE) nevertheless considers her bill permissible. A similar dilemma, considering the origin of the applicants, existed decades ago with the demand for equality for women in the civil service. It was solved by including an explicit equality mandate (in Article 10 of the Berlin constitution): “The state is obliged to establish and ensure equality and equal participation of women and men in all areas of social life. Measures of promotion are permissible to compensate for existing inequalities.” Source: taz

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Donald Trump exits, but QAnon gains support in Germany

It’s January 6, the day of the mob forming on Capitol Hill. A German woman thanks the mobbers on her message on “QPatrioten24,” a Telegram group. Another member of that group denounces “electoral fraud” in the US presidential election, calling for “martial law.” Although on the fringes of the German QAnon community on Telegram, “QPatrioten24” is deeply rooted in the country’s wider conspiracy community. Its members are active in German anti-government protests, in August last year. When discussing protests, they urge each other to “show up without masks.” Within a year, Germany has become home to the largest QAnon community outside of the English-speaking world. Source: dw

Germany extends COVID lockdown until February 14

Germany has decided to continue with the lockdown until at least mid-February. The new, tougher measures will also see people wearing filter masks in shops and on public transport. Most shops, schools and non-essential business will remain closed. The new measures include stricter rules on the types of masks that must be worn in certain public places (FFP2), and employers must, wherever possible, allow employees to work from home until March 15. Contact at private meetings is also restricted to just one other person not living in the same household and schools are largely closed and students are taught through distance learning. Source: dw

Dr Kristina Hänel convicted for advertising abortions legally

The Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Frankfurt has declared that the conviction of the Giessen doctor Kristina Hänel for advertising the termination of pregnancy is legally binding and dismissed her appeal. The medical doctor’s homepage not only provided information that abortions would be performed, but also contained detailed information on the “how”. In a statement, Hänel announced a constitutional complaint against the non-appealable decision. “In other countries like Ireland, Argentina, South Korea, the laws are being liberalised, nowhere else is there a criminal law paragraph that prohibits factual information.” Source: süddeutsche

AfD may be classified as right-wing extremists

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution could classify the AfD as a suspected right-wing extremist case. Associations are making clear appeals to the officials in the party. Jörg Radek, deputy head of the police union (GdP), said that “Police service and involvement with the AfD do not go together.” The agency which protects the Constitution might announce next week how it will continue to deal with the AfD. And there is much to suggest that it will be upgraded to a suspected right-wing extremist organisation. The AfD intends to file lawsuits against this in the event of such a classification. Source: taz

Merkel continuity candidate Laschet becomes CDU leader

Armin Laschet has won the election for CDU leader at the digital party conference by a margin of 55 votes against Friedrich Merz. Laschet stressed he wants to build on continuity with Angela Merkel’s chancellorship and on his experience in government. However, it is unclear what will happen after the election for party chair in the CDU and CSU. In spring, those parties want to agree on who should be the candidate for chancellor. Laschet will also have to prove how well he can support the party in the upcoming state elections in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg in March. Source: nd

Drosten fears up to 100,000 new Coronavirus cases per day

Many experts say that the number of cases in the Corona pandemic should ease in the summer – but virologist Christian Drosten of Berlin’s Charité hospital does not share this hope. On the contrary, he warns of a third wave with tens of thousands of new infections per day. But Drosten has some sympathy for the “Zero Covid” strategy. The virologist recommends pushing the seven-day R-value to 0.7 now, which would halve the number of cases within one week. Drosten also reiterated that the Coronavirus is far more dangerous than a flu virus. Source: ntv

Compiled by Ana Ferreira

NEWS FROM GERMANY

A bad year for the AfD

In the RTL/ntv trend barometer the AfD started the later Corona year on a par with the SPD. Twelve months later, things are not yet better for the Social Democrats, but they look much worse for the right-wing alternative. No other party has lost so much support in the polls over the year: AfD lost five percentage points. The winner of 2020 is clearly the CDU/CSU – although it was unable to maintain the 40% approval rating from the early summer (currently, with 36%). Die Linke and FDP each slipped by one percentage point compared to early 2020. Source: ntv

No significant reform of Hartz IV before the election

The SPD announced it wants to “leave Hartz IV behind.” However, SPD Minister Hubertus Heil has only just presented a draft bill for the reform of basic social security benefits. In essence, the draft is neither about abolishing the cuts in the funds nor about a significant increase in the standard rates. But benefit recipients are to be shown more appreciation. The CDU has already objected to all this. This means that there will probably be no fundamental reorientation of Hartz IV before the federal elections at the end of September. Source: nd

Job centre pays too little for rent

Those who receive Hartz IV benefits are entitled to have their accommodation and heating costs paid for in addition to the standard rate. However, only an “appropriate” amount is paid, and this amount is not clearly defined by law. A woman from Eschwege sued a job centre in 2016 once she had to pay around 375 euros a month for her rent, while it paid her monthly housing costs of 274 euros. Peter Menges, vice-chairman of the unemployed initiative Owei, believes that such judgements will mean a great financial relief for many more welfare recipients. Source: nd

it is time for “Zero Covid”

“Zero Covid”, an initiative of scientists, authors and health workers, demand a “radical change of strategy” and an immediate lockdown in all areas of the economy throughout Europe. “We don’t need a controlled continuation of the pandemic, but an end to it,” says the appeal by the group around philosopher and author Bini Adamczak. The measures are considered to be “(…) based on social solidarity”. For the subsequent loss of wages, the initiative wants a comprehensive rescue package to be passed that guarantees compensation and continued payments. The money for such an intervention is available, the initiative argues. Source: taz

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Riot police attack Luxemburg-Liebknecht demo

About 3,000 people took part in the traditional Luxemburg-Liebknecht (LL) demonstration in Berlin last Sunday. Even before the demonstration could start moving, the riot police attacked. A number of video sequences published on the internet show the officers beating up the demonstrators. Police also used pepper spray. There were a number of arrests and detentions, as well as injuries. Even minors and a wheelchair user were allegedly attacked by the officers. On Twitter, the press office of the Berlin police justified the action by saying some participants wore “forbidden FDJ symbols” and refused to take them off. Source: jW

COVID in Berlin leads to 15km travel restriction

Berlin is set to join other parts of Germany in implementing a 15-kilometer travel restriction for those who live here. Starting on next Saturday, residents will be prohibited from travelling more than 15km beyond the capital limits, based on the pandemic incidence rate. In general, the 15km boundary gets triggered each time a district sees more than 200 new infections per 100,000 people within seven days. Germany’s stricter shutdown, which was extended from January 10 until at least the end of January, requires a valid reason to leave home. Other countries, such as France, restrict people to within one kilometer of their homes. Source: dw