News from Berlin
Committee seeks to impose a fine on former Senator Chialo
The Berlin Investigative Committee on Subsidies intends to compel former Senator for Culture Joe Chialo (CDU) to testify. The CDU, SPD, Greens, and Die Linke caucuses have decided to file a motion with the Regional Court to impose a fine on Chialo. Several days ago, the former senator refused to answer any questions before the committee. According to rbb24, the fine could amount to as much as 3,000 euros. The Committee is also requesting files from the Senate’s Justice Administration. It aims to clarify whether preliminary investigations or criminal probes are underway against those responsible for the funding scandal, such as Chialo or his successor, Sarah Wedl-Wilson (independent), who has since also resigned. Source: rbb
News from Germany
Germany accelerates deportations to Afghanistan
In consultation with the radical Islamic Taliban regime in Kabul, the German government is accelerating the deportation of Afghan offenders to their home country. According to the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, there are currently at least 100 Afghan offenders ready for deportation who are either in regular detention or in deportation detention in Germany. Just recently, Germany deported 32 Afghans to their country of origin via a charter flight. The organization Pro Asyl denounced the deportation of offenders to Afghanistan once again, particularly because of the resulting diplomatic legitimization of the Taliban. The opposition Green Party expressed similar concerns. Source: dw
How equitable is education in Germany?
According to the National Education Report in Germany, a child’s educational opportunities are already determined by the time they start school. The Kettelerschule in Bonn is fighting against it: the rate of recommendations for the “Gymnasium,” the highest level of secondary education in Germany, rose from 0.5% in 2007 to 30% today. Furthermore, the Kettelerschule is located in a socially disadvantaged neighborhood in northern Bonn, and nearly all of the 250 students have an immigrant background. For many, German is not spoken at home. One in three children is a so-called “inclusion student,” meaning they require special support. Source: dw
Die Linke caps allowances for its Members of Parliament
Die Linke requires its members of the Bundestag and the European Parliament to contribute a large portion of their allowances to social funds and to retain no more than an “average salary” for themselves. The party convention in Potsdam passed a resolution to this effect with the vote of about 65% of the delegates. The salary cap is based on the collective bargaining agreement for the public sector and currently stands at 5,300 euros gross. The resolution aims to “standardize” the salary cap and to “enable support for social funds linked to the party.” Source: tagesschau
“People are struggling endlessly”
A lifetime of helping others—and now facing poverty in old age. More than 13 million people in Germany are considered at risk of poverty because they live in households with an income of less than 60% of the median income. And getting out of that situation is becoming increasingly difficult, experts say. Poverty researcher Olaf Groh-Samberg from the University of Bremen says the idea that people just need to try harder is “highly stigmatizing and burdensome.” Groh-Samberg also explains that “people are struggling endlessly; they’re trying their hardest. No one likes being in poverty.” Source: tagesschau
EU law on salary transparency: German government fails
Federal Minister of Family Affairs Karin Prien (CDU) has criticised the new EU law aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Europe through transparency measures, affirming it is “too bureaucratic.” The policy, first agreed in 2023, was supposed to be implemented by all member states by June 2026. It demands companies operating in the EU to publish salary figures and take measures if the wage gap between men and women surpasses 5%. In the event of a violation, victims will be compensated. In Germany, women on average get paid 15.6% less than men. Across the EU, the same figure sits at 11.1%, according to the Handelsblatt. Source: iamexpat
Die Linke characterizes Israel’s actions in the Gaza War as “Genocide”
For the first time, Die Linke has officially labeled Israel’s actions in the Gaza War as “genocide.” A corresponding resolution was approved by the federal party convention in Potsdam. Regarding the State of Israel’s right to exist, the resolution states: “As a safe haven for Jewish people, the State of Israel holds special historical and contemporary significance.” It continues: “Likewise, we stand for Palestine’s right to exist and for equal rights for all people in Palestine.” The party has been repeatedly confronted with accusations of anti-Semitism. The wording of the ten-page motion was negotiated internally within the party as a compromise during days of discussions. Source: diezeit
