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DW
2 days ago
- Business
- DW
German housing crisis: government plans construction boost – DW – 07/28/2025
Germany has a desperate shortage of affordable housing. The government now plans to take a "crowbar" to construction law to help get more homes built at "turbo" speed. "Building and housing is the social issue of our time," Germany's new Construction and Housing Minister Verena Hubertz told public broadcaster ARD in May when she announced her plan to help ease the shortage of affordable housing. With the cabinet set to present its 2026 budget proposal on July 30, spending on housing is one of the focal points. In a country where it can take longer to get approval for a development project than it does to actually build it, Hubertz said she wanted to give local authorities a "crowbar" to circumvent labyrinthine urban planning laws. That crowbar, labeled "Bau-Turbo" (construction turbo), is a new paragraph (§ 246e) to be inserted into the German Building Code. If the legislation is passed in the fall, municipalities will be able to approve construction, change-of-use and renovation projects that deviate from the provisions of the Building Code if those projects are for the construction of new residential buildings. Planning applications will also be automatically approved after two months unless vetoed by the municipality. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Building regulations vary between each of Germany's 16 states and among municipalities, resulting in an ever-growing patchwork of rules governing everything from the number of electric sockets per room to the shape and color of roofs. The Construction Ministry estimates its legislative amendment, to be passed by the Bundestag in the fall, will save companies, citizens and local authorities around €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) annually. Tim-Oliver Müller, the managing director of the Federal Association of the German Construction Industry (HDB), said he welcomed the government's plans but warned that housing construction "would not pick up again overnight." "The law alone will not result in a single new apartment, but it will make it easier for local authorities to approve them," Müller told DW. He said a "melange of crises" has hit Germany's construction industry, largely as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, rising energy prices, the increased cost of materials such as concrete and steel, inflation and a jump in interest rates from below 1% to between 3% and 4%. Müller is convinced that the new changes to the law would not reduce quality standards — for example, those regarding fire safety and structural integrity, which remain in place. The new legislation is "purely a creation of possibilities, for example, with regard to building extensions or changing the designation of land from commercial to residential, something that was not previously possible," Müller explained. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Environmentalists have expressed concern about easing planning regulations because they fear green spaces will be built on as new development projects are waved through with less time for local residents to object. "Only with green spaces can we buffer [heatwaves]. Because these green spaces provide active cooling," Stefan Petzold from the nature conservation association NABU told ARD. Another person concerned about hot air is Matthias Günther, the head of the Pestel Institute, which researches areas like the economy and housing for the public and private sectors. He described the new legislation as "a lot of hot air" that will "not achieve anything in the short term." "Additional paragraphs and sections will be added to the Building Code, creating more bureaucracy. Some things will require the municipality's consent, and, especially when it comes to building, they often have problems getting a majority because there's always someone who doesn't want it," Günther told DW. He says that Germany really needs an economic stimulus package for housing construction starting in the fall, accompanied by a loan program with interest rates fixed at 2% for the next 20 years. "The city would essentially pass on its more favorable credit conditions. It wouldn't cost that much. Everyone I talk to says that if they could get financing at 2% then they would start building again," economist Matthias Günther believes, adding that a similar scheme had already proven successful in Poland. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The desperate lack of housing is one of the main reasons why rents have been exploding in big German cities, says Bernard Faller from the Federal Association for Housing and Urban Development (VHW). More than half Germany's population lives in rented accommodation, the highest share in the European Union. While Germany has some of the strongest tenant protection laws in the world, Faller said those laws serve to protect existing tenants and work against those who want or need to move, particularly young people and large families. "The problem remains the same: there are too few homes to meet demand," he told DW. The construction turbo plans are a "very exciting experiment," according to Faller. "Until we come up with something better, and I can't think of anything better, the key to easing the overheated housing market, to curbing rising rents, is for more affordable housing to be built," he said. According to the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), Germany will need approximately 320,000 new homes every year until 2030. The previous federal government, which lost its majority in the February 2025 election, promised to build 400,000 homes annually. But by 2024, that figure was just 251,900, 14.4% down on the previous year. The new coalition of the center-right bloc of Christian Democrats and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and center-left Social Democrats (SPD) is planning to boost the Construction Ministry's budget for 2025 to €7.4 billion in 2025 from €6.7 billion the previous year. This money will be invested in the construction of social housing — subsidized apartments for low-income families, projects for climate-friendly construction, turning commercial areas into residential areas and promoting homeownership for young you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tripura rolls out insurance scheme for livestock to support farmers
Agartala: The Tripura govt has launched a new livestock insurance scheme under the National Livestock Mission aimed at protecting rural livestock rearers from financial loss due to the sudden death of animals. Animal resource development (ARD) minister Sudhangshu Das said the mission, Complete Animal Wealth Shield, is expected to extend crucial support to the farmers whose livelihood depends on cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. Das said livestock rearing plays a vital role in the rural economy but has long been neglected and there has not been much work done for the development of the sector. The mission has been designed to empower livestock farmers and ensure their economic security. Under the mission, full compensation is provided in the event of animal loss, unlike the existing cap of Rs 20,000. The beneficiaries will contribute just 15 per cent of the insurance premium, with the central and state govts covering 70 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. "The premium varies with the policy term — 3.39% for one year, 6.6% for two years and 8.3% for three years. A family can insure up to 10 livestock units. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nine years ago they were called the most beautiful twins in the world. Look at them now Undo For calculation, one cow or buffalo equals one unit, while ten goats or sheep or five pigs are considered as one unit," Das said. The insured value is calculated based on milk output or market value. Currently, the cost is estimated at Rs 3,000 per litre of milk for cows and Rs 4,000 per litre for buffaloes, or as assessed by a govt veterinarian. Insurance coverage applies in case of accidental or disease-related death, though claims for non-accidental deaths are only valid if the death occurs 21 days after the enrolment, he said.
Qatar Tribune
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Bonmati puts Spain into Euro final after extra-time win over Germany
dpa Zurich Aitana Bonmatí netted with aplomb in extra-time to send world champions Spain into the Euro 2025 final following a 1-0 win over record eight-times winners Germany on Wednesday. Spain will meet holders England in Sunday's final in Basel, a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final won 1-0 by La Roja. It is a first Euro final for the Spanish women. Montse Tomé's side dominated possession as usual in Zurich but Germany, who somehow beat France on penalties in the last eight having been down to 10 players after 13 minutes, defended stoutly and were dangerous on the break. The contrast in styles meant the 90 minutes ended 0-0 before world player of the year Bonmatí produced a rare moment of class with a clever dummy. Her effort from a tight angle then went in at the near post. Bonmatí said: 'I feel proud because we deserve it. We suffered.' The 113th-minute goal was tough on Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who has shone this tournament but said she should have done better while expecting a cross. 'The disappointment is huge, we believed until the last second. One small mistake, one loss of focus and it is so bitter,' Berger told ARD. 'I take responsibility, the near post needs to be covered. I'm sorry so for the team, not just for me.' Bonmatí added: 'We had studied Berger, who made certain movements and sometimes left spaces at the near post.' Germany were without the suspended Kathrin Hendrich following her ponytail pull against France. Sophia Kleinherne replaced her in a back three, while wing back Carlotta Wamser returned from suspension and Sara Däbritz came in for suspended midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken. Spain made one enforced change from the 2-0 quarter-final win over hosts Switzerland as centre back María Méndez filled in for the suspended Laia Aleixandri. 'No blame,' says Germany coach Klara Bühl fired the first good chance wide for the Germans, watched in the Letzigrund stands by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Spain striker Esther González then tested Berger, who starred against the French, and the keeper made another smart save. The tournament favourites, who had scored 16 goals in winning all their previous four matches in Switzerland, upped the ante just before the break and Irene Paredes headed against the post before Berger again denied González. Half-time came at a good time for the Germans, who had at least kept Bonmatí and previous world player of the year Alèxia Putellas fairly quiet up to that point. Bühl had three further big opportunities in the second half - including a deflected effort clawed off the line by Cata Coll at the death. Otherwise the ball was mainly up the other end, although La Roja struggled to carve out clear-cut chances despite the multitude of short passes. Extra-time was largely a non-event until Bonmatí, who had meningitis at the start of the Euros, stylishly struck - assuming she meant it at Berger's near post. 'We imagined things differently,' Germany coach Christian Wück said. 'There is no blame, she is world player of the year. It can happen. We have played a really good tournament.'
Euractiv
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Reality TV: Germany sizzles as ‘woke mob' takes on ‘Scheiß AfD'
BERLIN – Few things are as much a seasonal staple for Germans as the annual Sommerinterviews . For over three decades, the country's public broadcasters have invited political leaders to sit al fresco under the (usually mild) summer sun and answer questions during the lull of the parliamentary recess. Originally viewed as harmless holiday blah-blah, the tradition is newly controversial, thanks – depending on one's political persuasion – to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the 'woke mob', or both. An activist group disrupted this year's open-air interview with the AfD's de facto leader, Alice Weidel, reinforcing the party's victim narrative, while unleashing a torrent of criticism towards both the broadcaster and authorities for failing to bring the situation under control. Stage set for protest During the half-hour interview with German public broadcaster ARD , Weidel was perched on a platform above the Spree river and across from the Reichstag, Berlin's historic glass-domed parliament building. Though the setting offered a stunning backdrop for the chat, it also meant the far-right firebrand would be exposed to protestors, a prospect that ARD appears to have underestimated . As Weidel sat across from journalist Markus Preiß, the interview was all but drowned out by activists who had gathered in anticipation of Weidel's appearance, on the opposite river bank. Whistles and chants turned what should have been a sober dialogue into a shouting match. The activists, led by left-wing collective Zentrum für Politische Schönheit (Centre for Political Beauty), came with a bus equipped with loudspeakers that began blaring a chorus singing "Scheiß AfD" or "The shitty AfD". During the interview, a visibly irritated Weidel repeatedly said she couldn't hear Preiß, who admitted the interview conditions were 'difficult". Both pressed on, however, curiously opting against relocating the live-to-tape shoot during a short break. Afterwards, the AfD was enraged. Its deputy parliamentary leader, Markus Frohnmaier, demanded a redo. End of the reverie This wasn't the activists' first high-profile intervention. In 2017, the group erected a replica of Berlin's Holocaust memorial outside the home of Björn Höcke, one of the AfD's most radical figures. Speaking on a podcast after the Weidel stunt, Centre for Political Beauty leader Philipp Ruch defended the disruption. He argued that the ARD's polite interview with Weidel on policy questions would normalise the party. Ruch also took aim at the Sommerinterview format itself, calling it a 'non-confrontational, non-investigative' tradition more suited to holiday reverie than political accountability. Indeed, that's how the Sommerinterview began, bridging what Germans call the "Sommerloch" – German for "silly season" – when political news slows down. During the comfortable days of West Germany's twilight, German television would film Chancellor Helmut Kohl at his favourite vacation spot overlooking an alpine lake in Austria. Over time, the questions got tougher but the illusion of a relaxed, summertime atmosphere remained. Until Weidel. The real winner? No guest has tested the limits of the format like the AfD leader. The fiasco surrounding the interview triggered a debate over whether she should have been invited at all, considering the extreme nature of her party. Many politicians argued that the activists played into the AfD's hands. 'If you want to strengthen the AfD, you should disrupt such interviews,' said Carsten Linnemann, general secretary of Germany's ruling Christian Democrats. He argued it's better to confront the AfD with facts than to silence them. Preiß tried that tack by grilling Weidel on Germany's ailing health insurance system, a test she largely failed. But his back-and-forth with Weidel was difficult to follow amid the din of whistles and music in the background and is unlikely to have made an impression on most viewers. Weidel's decision to continue the broadcast despite the interference suggests she was aware that the disruption would work in her favour. By pausing repeatedly due to the noise, Weidel succeeded in dodging some questions. The AfD later portrayed itself as a victim of a hostile system. Speaking to broadcaster Welt , the party's chief whip Bernd Baumann blamed a collective 'left-green class' for the incident, accusing the activists of colluding with the government (a charge their leader Ruch denied). If nothing else, the fracas has given Germans something to debate through the Sommerloch. (mm, mk)
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Protesters play 'scheiß AfD' song during interview with far-right co-leader Alice Weidel
A German public broadcaster has said it is reviewing its procedures after a live interview with the leader of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland was interrupted by protesters. During the live television interview with ARD, Alice Weidel, co-leader of AfD, appeared at times to struggle to hear the questions being asked of her as protesters gathered below the provisional stage for the interview in Berlin. Amid whistling and shouting, the speakers of a bus used as part of the demonstration blared the anti-AfD song Scheiß AfD Jodler (Shit AfD Yodellers) by Corner Chor, an award-winning activist choir from Augsburg.
