What has Merz achieved during his first 100 days in office? – DW – 08/13/2025
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DW
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- DW
Pakistan detains Afghans waiting for Germany relocations – DW – 08/14/2025
Pakistani police have been arresting Afghans, some of whom were awaiting relocation to Germany under special admission programs. Some detainees have reported surprise raids and separations from family members. Pakistani authorities detained Afghans in Islamabad in its latest crackdown on refugees from the country, including some who were set for relocation to Germany, police confirmed on Thursday. The arrests have drawn reactions from Berlin, with some of those sent to deportation centers already approved for relocation under Germany's admissions program as they flee the Taliban. Police in Islamabad said the group includes people registered in German programs, such as former local staff and others deemed at risk after the Taliban takeover in 2021. It was not clear how many such people were among those arrested. After the withdrawal of German troops, Germany had promised refuge from the Taliban to local staff who had supported Germany, as well as other Afghans facing persecution who fled to Pakistan. Some 2,400 of these people are now in Pakistan and hoping to leave for Germany. Among them, according to the German Interior Ministry, are about 350 former local staff of German institutions and their families. People in the region told the Reuters news agency that some have already been taken to the border region and even to Afghanistan. Witnesses described night raids on multiple guesthouses, saying entire families were taken away. "Seven families were arrested from my guesthouse alone," one owner told the DPA news agency. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The advocacy group Kabul Luftbrücke ("Kabul air bridge") said families have been split up, with minors removed from parents. For example, two sisters aged 17 and 18 were reportedly arrested without their family and taken to Afghanistan. "The German Embassy in Islamabad is apparently unable to effectively protect those affected," the group said in a statement. Those affected include a family for whom the Berlin Administrative Court had already issued a positive emergency ruling. Reporters Without Borders urged Berlin to secure the release of an Afghan journalist with a German admission promise, saying "Germany must act now." Pakistan began mass deportations of undocumented Afghans in late 2023 and extended the policy to registered individuals in April 2024. Officials in Islamabad say the plan is to remove up to 3 million Afghans, arguing that the policy is needed to put pressure on the Taliban government. Human rights advocates warn of serious danger for returnees, including possible retaliation for perceived acts against the Taliban as it was fighting its insurgency. When asked whether people who had already been deported to Afghanistan were now being brought back, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said there was contact with these individuals through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and that they were receiving support. He added that each case would be examined for whether there was a legally binding obligation to admit them. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Interior Ministry has confirmed awareness of the detentions and said it has told Pakistan about detainees who are part of German programs. "We have a very close eye on the fact that in Pakistan," Dobrindt said. "The return of Afghans to Afghanistan is being accelerated." He said "in the vast majority of cases" there is still currently no entry permit for Germany, and whether one will be granted "cannot be said today." The Greens' Schahina Gambir called Pakistan's deportations "a scandal" and said "for months the federal government has been ignoring their legally confirmed need for protection." Clara Bünger of the socialist Left party described the situation as "immense inhumanity" and said "now action must be taken immediately: issue visas, stop deportations." Kabul Luftbrücke said it has 15 court rulings confirming individuals' right to admission, but that "appeals by the federal government often delay visa issuance." Rights groups and opposition parties continue to press for immediate visas and the safe return of those already deported. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
3 hours ago
- DW
Germany: End of the line for Deutsche Bahn railway chief – DW – 08/14/2025
The head of Germany's crisis-ridden rail operator Deutsche Bahn has been dismissed as the new German government looks to restructure and modernize the country's railways. The chief executive of Germany's rail network, , was dismissed on Thursday with the state-owned railway mired in economic, infrastructure and punctuality crises. Dr. Richard Lutz, who has headed up DB since 2017 after seven years as the company's finance director, had a contract until 2027 – but this has been cut short. "I thank Dr. Lutz for his efforts in difficult times," said German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU), while a DB spokeswoman confirmed that Lutz would continue in his role on a caretaker basis until a successor is appointed. "I am sure that he will continue to do all he can for the railway in his remaining weeks," said Schnieder. , a joint-stock company owned 100% by the German state, was once famed for its efficiency and reliability, but its reputation has been shattered in recent years. Under Lutz, the punctuality of German long-distance trains has plummeted from 78.5% in 2017 to just 62.5% last year, meaning that over one third of trains arrived late, costing DB almost €200 million ($232.8m) in compensation. And despite years of under-investment and increasing ticket prices, DB continues to make annual losses. Lutz's days have been numbered since Germany's new government took office under Chancellor Friedrich Merz in May, pledging to restructure DB's management structure and modernize the country's creaking transport infrastructure. That reshuffle has now started, with Transport Minister Schnieder announcing the presentation of a new strategy on September 22. "Ideally we'll be able to present a new chief executive, too," he said. "Whether in terms of customer satisfaction, punctuality or economic performance, the situation on the railways is dramatic." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video For Dirk Flege, head of Germany's leading railway lobby group ("pro-railway alliance"), the dismissal of Lutz now puts the pressure on Schnieder. "The pressure on the transport minister has now grown enormously," he said. "He now has just a few weeks to present a long-overdue government strategy for the railways and find a suitable new chief executive." Schnieder said the basic outline of the government's new concept was already agreed upon but that he would take his time to identify a suitable DB successor, promising: "Thoroughness and diligence before speed." In the meantime, elements of Lutz's own renovation plans are already underway, with plans in place for 40 key connections around the country. Currently, the route between Germany's two biggest cities, Berlin and Hamburg, is closed as it undergoes repair work set to last several months.
Int'l Business Times
3 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Germany Sacks Rail Chief With Train Network In Crisis
The German government sacked the embattled head of Deutsche Bahn on Thursday as it seeks to overhaul the ailing public rail network after years of criticism about deteriorating services. Once widely admired for its punctuality and efficiency, Germany's rail service has worsened dramatically in recent years owing to what critics say is chronic underinvestment. Passengers now often complain of long delays and cancelled trains in Europe's biggest economy -- last year, almost 40 percent of long-distance services were late. Richard Lutz, who took the helm of the publicly owned institution in 2017, will leave his chief executive post two years before the end of his contract, the government confirmed. "The situation at Deutsche Bahn is dramatic, if you look at customer satisfaction, punctuality figures or profitability," Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder told a press conference to announce Lutz's departure. "The company must become faster, leaner, more effective and also more economical." The 61-year-old will stay on until a successor is found, with the government saying the hiring process would start immediately. Karl-Peter Naumann from rail passenger association Pro-Bahn warned that changing the boss would not solve Deutsche Bahn's problems. The situation would only change if policies improved and funding was increased, he told AFP. "All previous transport ministers have more or less failed and have contributed greatly to the railways being in the situation they are in today," he said. Lutz's days had seemed numbered since a new coalition under Chancellor Friedrich Merz took power in May. Schnieder had publicly complained earlier this month about the railways' poor punctuality and suggested he was looking at personnel changes. Workers on the railways -- Deutsche Bahn has some 220,000 employees -- had also spoken out against Lutz, with the GDL train drivers union calling in July for him to be sacked. The transport minister also said he would present a major plan to fix the network in late September. The government's is seeking to fix crumbling infrastructure more broadly, establishing a 500-billion-euro fund. Deutsche Bahn has already embarked on a push to renew parts of the network but it is likely to take years to complete. It has seen falling profits in recent years and is also saddled with more than 20 billion euros in debt. The government's is seeking to fix crumbling infrastructure more broadly AFP Passengers now frequently complain of long delays and cancelled trains in Europe's biggest economy AFP Railway workers had also spoken out against Lutz, with the GDL train drivers union calling for him to be sacked. AFP
