Bild: Who will inherit the Kesslers’ millions / Wer die Millionen der Kesslers erbt
FAZ: Merz wants to proceed with the planned vote on the pension package / Merz will wie geplant über Rentenpaket abstimmen lassen
Funke: New S-Bahn line through Berlin only in a decade / Neue S-Bahn-Strecke durch Berlin aber erst in einem Jahrzehnt
Handelsblatt: Mercedes changes strategy / Mercedes ändert Strategie
RND: Trump gives Saudi crown prince top marks on human rights / Trump stellt Saudi-Kronprinz Top-Bilanz bei Menschenrechten aus
SZ: Bas warns of a coalition breakdown / Bas warnt vor Bruch der Koalition
Tagesspiegel: Global internet outage: US service provider takes numerous well-known websites offline / Weltweite Internetstörung: US-Dienstleister legt zahlreiche bekannte Webseiten lahm
taz: Slovak government loses zero to 60,000 / Slowakische Regierung verliert null zu 60.000
Welt: Merz wants to pass the pension package quickly / Merz will das Rentenpaket schnell verabschieden
Ukraines Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj wants to reactivate the diplomatic process to end the war: Selenskyj is seeking international support and emphasizes the importance of a just peace. He announces consultations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Selenskyj is expected in Ankara on Wednesday for talks. The Turkish Foreign Ministry denies any involvement of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff; the meeting is to take place solely between Selenskyj and Erdogan.
- Spain promises further support to Ukraine and announces an aid package worth 817 million euros; additionally, U.S. military equipment worth 100 million euros is to be procured under NATO’s PURL initiative. saarbruecker-zeitung.de
- The U.S. Congress is once again working on tightening sanctions against Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham says the bill is moving forward with bipartisan support and the blessing of President Donald Trump, though he gives no details about the planned measures.
- Germany and China remain divided over Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil stresses in Beijing that no consensus has been reached with the Chinese government and calls on China to use its influence to help end the war.
DIGITAL SUMMIT
EU states and companies launch multi-billion offensive for European AI: At the German-French digital summit hosted by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, government representatives from 23 countries and leading tech companies presented 18 partnerships to promote artificial intelligence. The agreements, part of the EU AI Champions Initiative, involve investment totalling around one billion euros. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness against U.S. tech giants and expand the EU’s digital sovereignty. Among the new collaborations is a partnership between SAP and French AI start-up Mistral AI. heise.de, zdfheute.de, sueddeutsche.de, tagesspiegel.de
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a stronger European role in the digital world. Europe must not leave leadership in key future technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and microelectronics to China and the U.S., but instead act jointly with business, science and civil society. n-tv.de
- French President Emmanuel Macron argued that European companies should be given priority in public procurement in the digital sector. This, he said, would support the development of an independent European technology base. tagesschau.de
- Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger sees artificial intelligence as an opportunity for Europe to catch up technologically. Public tenders should increasingly consider criteria such as data storage and encryption to promote European providers.
- France’s Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff called for clear preferential treatment for European providers in the digital sector. She pointed to similar regulations in the automotive industry and announced talks with her German counterpart Karsten Wildberger.
- EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen announced that Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud services may in future fall under the Digital Markets Act. The goal is to strengthen competition in the cloud sector, as European providers have recently lost significant market share.
RTL/ntv Trend Barometer by Forsa: CDU/CSU 25 percent (+1), AfD 26 percent, SPD 14 percent, Greens 12 percent, Left Party 11 percent, FDP 3 percent, Others 9 percent. n-tv.de
Bild am Sonntag trend by Insa: CDU/CSU 24.5 percent (-0.5), AfD 26 percent, SPD 15 percent (-0.5), Greens 11 percent (-0.5), Left Party 11 percent (+0.5), BSW 4 percent, FDP 3.5 percent, Others 5 percent. bild.de
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warns of growing Russian aggression in Northern Europe: At the Berlin Security Conference, he called on European partners to increase defense readiness. Moscow is deliberately relying on hybrid attacks such as cyberattacks, espionage, disinformation, and sabotage. The Baltic Sea has shifted from a space of cooperation to one of confrontation and to „Putin’s testing ground“ for our deterrence and response capabilities. He cited damaged underwater cables, airspace violations, and drone overflights as examples. Together with his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson, Pistorius signed an agreement on closer military cooperation. n-tv.de, tagesschau.de
Federal Network Agency and Ministry of Economic Affairs see no gas shortage: Although gas storage levels were at 75 percent in early November — compared to 98 percent at the same time last year — the Federal Network Agency considers the current gas supply stable and sees no risk of a strained situation despite the start of the heating season. The agency pointed to newly built LNG terminals that have significantly increased import capacity. Economics Minister Katherina Reiche emphasized that Europe has become much more resilient to disruptions. The industry association INES, however, considers storage levels to be too low and warns of potential shortages in the event of a severe winter. n-tv.de, zeit.de
Family Minister Karin Prien announces a concept in January on the future of the abuse victims’ fund: The fund, which has provided quick and unbureaucratic help to victims since 2013, is currently blocked due to legal concerns raised by the Federal Audit Office; no funds are included in the 2026 draft budget. Prien expects difficult coalition negotiations but emphasized the importance of additional assistance beyond the social welfare system. Victim associations and churches warned in an open letter against discontinuing the fund. At the same time, Prien announced new protection initiatives, given more than 18,000 victims of sexual assault last year. evangelische-zeitung.de
Social Minister Bärbel Bas urges the CDU/CSU to approve the pension package: She pointed out at the SZ Economic Summit that the package with six key elements — including the pension level safeguard, expanded mothers’ pension, strengthening of occupational pensions and Riester reform, as well as active and early-start pensions — was firmly agreed in coalition negotiations. The young conservatives reject the reform as too expensive and unfair to younger generations, leaving the coalition without a majority. A rejection would trigger political unrest.sueddeutsche.de
- Young Union leader Johannes Winkel is confident that the pension package will still be amended during the parliamentary process. He refers to talks with SPD MPs who have shown understanding for the concerns of the Young Union, and relies on assessments by economist Jens Südekum, who says the pension system will need reform in the 2030s.
- Young SPD MPs defend the controversial pension package and warn against calls for cuts from the CDU/CSU. Cuts, they argue, would dangerously lower the pension level, especially affecting those who cannot afford private retirement savings.
- Greens leader Franziska Brantner has called the criticism by young conservatives dishonest. If the Young Union wants millions of workers to end up in basic pensions or basic social security in old age, they should say so openly, Brantner told the „Rheinische Post.“
Greens and Left Party demand clarification from Culture Minister of State Wolfram Weimer: They call for clarification regarding business dealings of the Weimer Media Group, which he founded. Media reports claim the company offered paid access to government members, with prices of up to 80,000 euros. An invitation allegedly stated that there was an opportunity to „influence political decision-makers.“ At the center is the Ludwig Erhard Summit at Lake Tegernsee. The company has rejected the accusations. A federal government spokesperson said the minister is no longer in any managerial or responsible position in the company.
- Culture Minister of State Wolfram Weimer rejects the accusations: „Campaign by right-wing media.“
Further reports:
- Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil: Commitments secured for reliable access to raw material supplies.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for cross-city security standards for Christmas markets.
- Afghans with admission approval: Ten percent accepted money for not entering the country.
- Research Minister Dorothee Bär: „With good ideas, it’s perfectly fine to make money.“
- EU Commission approves 1.75 billion euros in compensation payments for the coal phase-out in eastern Germany.
- Decision expected by the end of the year: Merz and Macron want to resolve dispute over the European fighter jet FCAS.
- Federal Administrative Court rejects lawsuit against expansion of the A1 motorway.
Germany urgently needs foreign workers, but labor migration fell sharply in 2024 — especially among those coming for jobs. According to the OECD, work-related immigration dropped by 32 percent, far more than in other industrialized countries. Researchers cite Germany’s economic weakness, slow and bureaucratic visa procedures, mixed political signals, and limited long-term attractiveness for non-EU workers. Despite reforms, businesses still face heavy administrative hurdles, and many migrants eventually leave again. Experts argue that Germany must simplify recognition of qualifications, speed up procedures, and build a more genuine welcoming culture to remain competitive. faz.de
Raids against „Reichsbürger“ network in five federal states: According to the Frankfurt public prosecutor’s office and the Hessian State Criminal Police Office, the measures are connected to investigations on suspicion of forming a criminal organization and forging documents. Eight suspects aged 34 to 78 are accused of producing and selling fake „Reich“ IDs and driver’s licenses. Seven apartments and a garden shed in states including Hesse, Saxony, and Bavaria were searched.
Further news:
- Lower Saxony: Approval for reform of public broadcasting.
- Brandenburg: Divided BSW becomes a problem for Minister-President Dietmar Woidke.
- Saxony-Anhalt: The City of Magdeburg approves the Christmas market; security measures are strengthened again.
- Rhineland-Palatinate: Police clear occupied forest area at Hambach lignite mine in the Rhenish region.
- Berlin: Investigation launched after false terror warning in Russian.
- Berlin: Pro-Palestinian activists smear the Federal Chancellery with the word „perpetrator.“
- Lower Saxony: Police to be allowed to monitor potential crimes in advance.
COP30
Foreign grid and storage funding: Germany will provide 138 million euros over the coming years under the International Climate Initiative for the expansion of storage and power grids for renewable energies in other countries. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider announced the funds at the World Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, stressing that a lack of infrastructure must not lead to renewable energy going unused. The money will support, in particular, grid conversion for decentralized electricity and expansion of storage capacity in the Global South.
- Brazil pushes for more speed in climate negotiations.
- Brazil announces the designation of ten new indigenous territories.
- Germany slips to 22nd place in the Climate Change Performance Index by Germanwatch and the NewClimate Institute.
EU plans online job platform for skilled workers from non-EU countries: EU member states and the European Parliament have agreed to establish a digital job platform through which skilled workers from outside the EU can find open positions in the EU. The portal will allow employers to specifically search for qualified workers abroad. Applying for a visa via the platform will not be possible. derstandard.at
Further reports:
- EU plans emergency mechanism for unhindered military transport.
- EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall: „We need a shift in mentality toward putting a price on nature.“
- EU approves first medication for chronic lung disease.
- EU debates stripping Hungary of voting rights.
- Ireland’s Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe moves to the World Bank and steps down as Eurogroup chair.
- New EU plastic bottle ban.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urges Serbia to commit clearly to the EU: During a Balkan trip, Wadephul sent strong political messages in both Serbia and Kosovo. In Belgrade, he called on the Serbian government to end its rapprochement with Russia and commit clearly to the EU. In Pristina, he emphasized the security importance of the Bundeswehr’s presence in Kosovo and noted the country’s progress toward the EU. The German contingent of the NATO-led KFOR mission was recently increased to 350 soldiers to respond to ongoing tensions in the region.
Wages in Eastern Germany are approaching Western levels: Full-time employees in eastern Germany earn an average of 3,539 euros gross per month, according to the Institute for Employment Research, around 14 percent less than in the West. The wage gap amounts to 578 euros but has shrunk significantly since 2012, when the difference was still 26 percent. The main reason is above-average wage growth in the eastern German states.
Further news:
- Turning point in residential construction: The number of building permits is significantly higher than in the same period last year.
- Volkswagen reaches agreement with 25,000 employees on their departure.
- Airbus receives multi-billion-euro orders from the United Arab Emirates.
- Technical malfunction at Cloudflare has crippled websites and apps worldwide.
The 20% Berlin News Quiz – December Edition
Wednesday, December 10 | 18:30–21:00
Electric Social, Berlin
Get ready for another round of sharp minds, good vibes, and Berlin’s most entertaining news trivia night! After a packed and lively first edition in November, 20% Berlin writer Maurice Frank is back to host an evening of questions, laughs, and friendly competition at the fantastic Electric Social Arcade Bar & Restaurant — just a short stroll from Alexanderplatz.
Put your knowledge of Berlin and German news to the test over drinks, delicious food, and great company. Meet fellow community members, form a team, and see how much you really know about the city we call home.
Prizes await the winning team!
Free entry — just make sure to RSVP.
Join us for a fun, social, brain-tickling night. We can’t wait to see you there!
In Germany, doorbells tell stories. If you’ve ever wandered through an Altbau and spotted a lineup of handwritten Namensschilder — some neat, some chaotic, some taped on with whatever was handy — you’ve witnessed a tiny cultural truth: Germans take their nameplates seriously.
A missing or incorrect one can mean missed mail, confused Paketboten, and neighbors who will absolutely comment on it. Updating your nameplate after moving in? That’s not a suggestion — it’s practically a civic duty.