Bild: CDU politicians want far fewer civil servants! / CDU-Politiker wollen viel weniger Beamte!
FAZ: Countries threatened by Trump with tariffs warn against escalation / Von Trump mit Zöllen bedrohte Länder warnen vor Eskalation
Funke: Berlin’s business community looks pessimistically toward 2026 and calls for reforms / Berliner Wirtschaft blickt pessimistisch auf 2026 und fordert Reformen
Handelsblatt: Europe plans counterstrike / Europa will Gegenschlag
RND: Greenland and the tariff threats: „We will not be blackmailed“ / Grönland und die Zolldrohungen: „Wir lassen uns nicht erpressen“
SZ: Europeans push back against US tariffs / Europäer stemmen sich gegen US-Zölle
Tagesspiegel: Panel doctors agree with Merz in criticizing high sickness rates / Kassenärzte stimmen Merz bei Kritik an hohem Krankenstand zu
taz: Two-left-wing solution in the very near East / Zwei-Linke-Lösung im ganz nahen Osten
Welt: „The time for appeasement and relativization is over“ / „Die Zeit des Beschwichtigens und Relativierens ist vorbei“
GREENLAND
EU calls special summit over tariff threats by US President Donald Trump in the Greenland dispute: EU member states want to coordinate their response to the latest tariff threats by US President Donald Trump. European Council President Antonio Costa announced after consultations with the permanent representatives of the member states that a special summit would be convened later this week. According to EU sources, the meeting of heads of state and government is expected to take place on Thursday in Brussels. The member states stress that they are prepared to resist any form of coercion, while at the same time remaining interested in constructive cooperation with Washington. Brussels points to shared transatlantic interests in matters of peace and security in the Arctic. stern.de, stern.de, welt.de, n-tv.de
- In the dispute over Greenland, Donald Trump has announced special tariffs against Germany and other European NATO partners. The affected countries sharply condemned the threat in a joint statement, warned against escalation, and announced a coordinated response. Several European heads of government emphasized the importance of unity within the alliance. handelsblatt.com
- The EU has rejected Donald Trump’s new threat as an attack on European sovereignty. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said the Union stands in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. The threat of tariffs would cause lasting damage to transatlantic relations. manager-magazin.de
- Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed gratitude for the support of other EU states in the conflict with the US. She emphasized that Denmark is not seeking a confrontation but will not allow itself to be blackmailed. The dispute over Greenland has long since taken on European dimensions. n-tv.de
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sees no longer any chance for an EU trade agreement with Washington due to the US tariff threats. Speaking on ARD, he called for a determined European response and referred to countermeasures that have already been decided. He does not see NATO unity as being endangered despite the conflict. spiegel.de
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has spoken with US President Donald Trump. According to Rutte, the topic was the security situation in the Arctic; another meeting is planned on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He is relying on dialogue to ease tensions within the alliance.
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil sharply criticized Donald Trump’s approach following the announcement of US punitive tariffs. Germany would not allow itself to be blackmailed or provoked, neither by tariffs nor by words. A line has been crossed. There are calls for an appropriate response to Trump’s tariff threats. Green Party leader Franziska Brantner called in the Funke newspapers for a tough EU response, demanding a digital levy on US tech companies and targeted tariffs on products from Trump’s business circles. n-tv.de
- French President Emmanuel Macron is considering using the EU law against economic coercion in response to Trump’s tariff threats. Several European politicians, including Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are also warning against escalation and accusing Trump of blackmail. In the UK, right-wing populist politician Nigel Farage is partly distancing himself from the US administration, even though he does not criticize Trump’s demand regarding Greenland.
- Opposition is also growing within the United States against Trump’s tariff plans. Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to block the measure legislatively; Trump’s previous „foolish tariffs“ had already driven up prices and harmed the US economy. The co-chairs of the bipartisan NATO observer group, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, said such rhetoric helps adversaries „who want to see a split in NATO.“ tagesschau.de
German armed forces end reconnaissance mission in the Arctic and return from Greenland: According to the Operational Command, the 15 soldiers flew back to Germany via Reykjavik and Copenhagen. The mission was part of a NATO operation at Denmark’s invitation. The aim of the reconnaissance was to explore possible contributions to securing the Arctic in light of increasing Russian and Chinese activity. The findings are now being evaluated.n-tv.de, spiegel.de
UKRAINE
Ukraine describes negotiations in Washington on security guarantees and a reconstruction plan as „substantial“: Negotiator Rustem Umerov, head of the National Security Council, spoke with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about a plan for economic development as well as security guarantees for Ukraine. The talks are to continue on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. n-tv.de
- According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, work is underway in Kyiv on several documents intended to form the basis for ending the war. He considers an agreement on security guarantees to be possible as early as this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- At an online meeting of the „coalition of the willing,“ Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pressing for tougher sanctions to make Russia’s war costs „unaffordable.“ He also calls on partners to deepen their military and defense-industrial cooperation. At a meeting, he accused Moscow of targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure; Russia shows no willingness to negotiate. Any future peace agreement must therefore be accompanied by binding security guarantees.
- CDU foreign policy expert Armin Laschet has spoken out in favor of direct talks between Europe and Russia on the war in Ukraine. It would be a sign of „self-disempowerment“ if European positions were conveyed by US negotiators.
BamS Sunday trend from Insa: Union 25 per cent (+1), AfD 26 per cent, SPD 14 per cent, Greens 12 per cent, Left Party 11 per cent, BSW 4 per cent (+1), FDP 4 per cent, others 4 per cent. bild.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticizes high sickness absence rates and questions the need for sick leave by phone: Employees were absent an average of 14.8 days per year, Merz said at an election campaign event in Bad Rappenau, questioning whether this was necessary. According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, this is an increase of 3.6 sick days compared to 2021. He announced that he would discuss the issue with his coalition partner, the SPD, and once again questioned sick leave by telephone. The measure has been in place since 2021. In the coalition agreement, the Union and SPD have agreed only on adjustments. suedkurier.de
- Health Committee chair Tanja Machalet opposes Friedrich Merz’s remarks. „I recommend that Mr. Merz get out of his official car and take a look at everyday working reality, instead of repeatedly spreading the myth that Germans are too lazy to work,“ she told RND. Machalet called for more health prevention in the workplace.
- Head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Andreas Gassen spoke out in favor of waiting days or bonus systems. „Merz is absolutely right: Germany has a very high sickness absence rate by international comparison,“ Gassen told Tagesspiegel. Sick leave certificates by phone „naturally“ invite abuse. tagesspiegel.de
- Left Party federal managing director Janis Ehling said that anyone complaining about high sickness absence should talk about overload, staff shortages, and unhealthy working conditions instead of accusing employees of lacking work ethic.
German armed forces increase capacity for basic training ahead of the start of the new military service: According to personnel chief Lieutenant General Robert Sieger, around 35,000 to 40,000 training places are now available—significantly more than in previous years. In addition to at least 20,000 young men and women to be recruited this year for the new military service, additional specialist and leadership personnel are also to be trained. The new Military Service Act came into force in January; the first 5,000 letters to potential applicants have already been sent. spiegel.de
- German armed forces Colonel Thomas Geßner: Northern Germany’s infrastructure is important for rapid NATO troop deployment. shz.de
CDU calls for automatic approval of administrative applications after a three-month deadline: The Union wants to streamline administrative procedures and sees automatic approvals as a means of speeding things up. If authorities do not object to applications from citizens or companies within three months, they should in future be deemed approved, according to CDU plans. This would apply, for example, to building permits or outdoor dining areas, said CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann. The proposal is part of the „Mainz Declaration,“ which the CDU federal executive board is set to adopt on Monday, after the retreat originally planned for early January had to be canceled due to weather. tagesschau.de, spiegel.de, n-tv.de
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger warns of democracy-threatening AI images and calls for stricter rules: Speaking on Deutschlandfunk, Wildberger said there is a growing discrepancy between digital perception and reality that could undermine trust in public debate. Politics must therefore also respond legally, for example in dealing with deepfakes and AI-generated pornographic images. The same rights must apply online as in the real world. At the same time, he advocated for European AI models based on shared values and reducing technological dependencies. deutschlandfunk.de
Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein calls for reform of the state fiscal equalization system: It is unacceptable that Hesse has to take on new debt in order to continue making payments, Rhein told Welt. Over nearly 80 years, his state has paid more than 75 billion euros into the system but has never benefited from it. That Hessian citizens have to forgo services that their money enables for people in other federal states is not something that can be justified, he said. Rhein demands that recipient states should in future receive funds only if they demonstrate their own efforts at budget consolidation. rnd.de
Charlemagne Prize 2026 goes to former ECB chief Mario Draghi: The Charlemagne Prize Directorate is honoring an economist who set formative impulses for European integration during the euro crisis and beyond. The jury praises the former ECB president as a personality who acts „purposefully and with unshakable determination.“ It highlights as a special achievement Draghi’s report on European competitiveness published in 2024. In a video message, the 78-year-old warned that Europe must move closer together politically, economically, and militarily in the face of many enemies. The award ceremony will take place on May 14 in Aachen. faz.net, zdfheute.de
Further reports:
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to present proposals for reforming income tax later this year. handelsblatt.com
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig wants to introduce a digital certificate of good conduct. tagesspiegel.de
- CSU Research Minister Dorothee Bär on women’s health: „Here we are a developing country.“ sueddeutsche.de
- Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn: Abolish the paragraph protecting politicians. sueddeutsche.de
- SPD leader Bärbel Bas defends the citizens’ allowance reform: „Refusers are a problem.“ mainpost.de
- Syrians in Germany: Naturalization more popular than return. stern.de
Berlin: Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt wants to offer a cash reward for decisive information following an arson attack on a cable bridge. tagesspiegel.de
Brandenburg: SPD and CDU announce rapid coalition negotiations; exploratory talks successful and constructive. tagesspiegel.de
Schleswig-Holstein: AfD youth wing founds state association; protests and strong police presence in Neumünster. rnd.de
Thuringia: New AfD youth wing runs with old leadership. spiegel.de
Saxony: MDR team attacked at pro-Palestine demonstration in Leipzig. dwdl.de
Hamburg: Red-Green coalition wants to close tax loopholes. ndr.de
Thuringia: State government wants to punish schoolchildren more severely for swastikas, Hitler salutes and similar offences. thueringer-allgemeine.de
Berlin: ‘We’ve had enough!’ – Demonstration during Green Week for a different agricultural policy. rbb-online.de
Hamburg: Grave of former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and his wife Loki daubed with swastikas. spiegel.de
Hesse: Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf awarded the prestigious Georg August Zinn Prize by the Hesse SPD. zeit.de
Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt: CDU wants merger of ARD and ZDF. dwdl.de
Brandenburg: Right-wing activists hoist Polish flags on Oder bridge. welt.de
EU and Mercosur finalize free trade agreement:
With the signing in Asunción, the EU and the South American trade bloc have created one of the world’s largest free trade zones. The agreement aims to gradually reduce tariffs and facilitate trade and investment between the two regions. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a commitment to fair trade, while Brazil’s foreign minister described it as a bulwark against protectionism. The deal sends an important political signal amid global tensions. Mercosur includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay; Bolivia is still aligning its legal framework.
World Economic Forum in Davos begins amid geopolitical tensions:
The annual meeting starts under strained global conditions, especially after US President Donald Trump threatened to take over Greenland. His scheduled speech on Wednesday is drawing particular attention. More than 60 heads of state and government and hundreds of business leaders are expected in Davos.
TikTok plans stricter age controls in Europe:
The platform announced it will tighten age verification measures across Europe, responding to regulatory pressure and growing concerns about child and youth protection online.
German–Polish youth rail ticket moves closer:
Plans for a joint German-Polish youth ticket for cross-border train travel are progressing, potentially making rail travel more affordable and accessible for young people in both countries.
Portugal heads to presidential runoff election:
Former Socialist Party leader António José Seguro won the first round of Portugal’s presidential election and will face right-wing populist André Ventura in a runoff on February 8. While the presidency has limited executive power, it can dissolve parliament and government in times of political crisis.
Denmark: Fehmarnbelt tunnel delayed:
Construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Germany and Denmark is expected to be delayed by around two years, with opening now likely in 2031.
UN ocean protection agreement enters into force:
A major international agreement aimed at protecting the world’s oceans has officially come into force, marking a milestone for global environmental governance.
Companies struggle to find new talent for leadership positions: Willingness to take on responsibility is declining—with consequences for many businesses. According to an analysis by the employer-affiliated German Economic Institute, an average of 28,180 management positions remained unfilled in 2025. A study by the Competence Center for Securing Skilled Workers found that only 14 percent of respondents could imagine taking on a leadership role, 40 percent only under certain conditions, and 43 percent not at all. Advancement into management is no longer automatically perceived as a reward, said study author Regina Flake. spiegel.de
Further news:
- Car manufacturers are almost across the board reducing CO₂ emissions in newly registered vehicles. n-tv.de
- Survey by the Association of Family Entrepreneurs: Rising social security contributions are for the first time the main concern of small and medium-sized businesses. rp-online.de
- Lawyers name amount: Elon Musk sues OpenAI and Microsoft for up to 134 billion dollars. n-tv.de
- Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary insult each other as „idiots.“ n-tv.de
- European Film Award goes to „Sentimental Value.“ tagesschau.de
In Germany, everyone agrees there’s a leadership shortage—but no one agrees on why. Is it burnout? Fear of responsibility? Or the quiet realization that “more pay” often comes with “more meetings”? In a country famous for Ordnung, climbing the career ladder now feels less like a promotion and more like volunteering to organize the ladder itself.