Latest news with #Söder
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bavarian pork festival draws politicians, animal rights protests
A disputed pork festival in Bavaria went ahead on Saturday with some German political heavyweights - and appetite – behind it, despite a bid by animal rights activists to thwart the event. The barbecue competition in the idyllic forest town of Viechtach, located close to the Czech border, had been a source of controversy for weeks, with animal rights organization PETA organizing a protest. On the day, no serious incidents were reported between the activists and grilling enthusiasts who gathered for the event, including Bavarian Premier Markus Söder. "On the road in Lower Bavaria at the first Viechtach Pig Festival," Söder posted on X. "Of course, nobody is forced to eat meat. Everyone is allowed to eat what they want. But for me personally, a grilled piece of Bavarian pork is simply unbeatable." Söder appeared in Viechtach with bratwurst and meat sandwiches and chatted to attendees. Mayor Franz Wittmann had originally wanted to offer an attraction for locals and tourists to liven up an otherwise unremarkable cultural scene. However, the idea of an international barbecue competition outraged a local group called Vegan in Viechtach. The town, with a population of 8,500 residents, made national headlines before the first pig had even turned on the spit. While only six barbecue teams initially registered, the number eventually grew to 16, according to the mayor.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bavaria's Söder: Germany in 'serious situation' after Bundestag vote
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder on Tuesday warned of the consequences for German democracy after his conservative ally Friedrich Merz failed to be elected chancellor in parliament. "This morning shows that we are in a serious situation. A serious situation for our country, but also for democracy," said Söder in Munich. Söder's Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) is in alliance with Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) at the national level. The conservative bloc signed a coalition agreement with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) on Monday to form the next government in Berlin, but Merz's unexpected failure to secure an absolute majority in Tuesday's parliamentary vote was a shock. "We need stability now more than ever and were unable to achieve it today," said Söder, warning that the "consequences are unforeseeable." Nevertheless, the Bavarian leader said that it was important to remain "reasonable" amid the uncertainty. "Everything can still be solved, everything can still be cured," he added.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bavaria's leader: Nationwide minimum wage of €15 is 'achievable'
Markus Söder, the premier of Bavaria and one of Germany's most powerful conservative politicians, said a nationwide hourly minimum wage of €15 ($17) in 2026 is within reach. The leader of the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) said in an interview with Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper that he would back the work of a commission looking at the issue. "The amount will be set by an independent commission, but €15 seems achievable," he said in the interview published on Saturday. Söder was a key player in recent coalition negogiations that put conservative politician Friedrich Merz on track to become chancellor in early May. He noted that the coalition agreement struck between the CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats clearly states that the commission will continue to set the rate, which is currently €12.82 per hour. Still, Merz recently suggested the €15 target may not be reached until 2027.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bavarian premier suffers gastrointestinal infection on India visit
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder has been forced to cancel a visit to the southern Indian state of Karnataka after contracting a gastrointestinal infection in New Delhi. Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), was unable to travel to Karnataka, a spokesman for his office said on Monday. Söder arrived in India on Saturday and conducted official appointments on Sunday, including a visit to an aid project for children from poor neighbourhoods that has received funding from Bavaria. "In slums, there is only poverty, and no education," said Söder. "We all had enormous luck and therefore have a duty to help others." However, the 58-year-old has been forced to cancel his trip to Karnataka due to illness. He will instead remain in his hotel in New Delhi before returning home on Tuesday night. His delegation continued to the south-western state under the leadership of CSU politician Florian Herrmann, the leader of the Bavarian state chancellery. Karnataka is a partner region of Bavaria. The regional capital, Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, is often referred to as India's Silicon Valley, renowned for its thriving high-tech industry and shopping scene. Ahead of the trip, Söder expressed confidence that Bavaria and Germany could benefit from the establishment of a free trade zone between the European Union and India. "In this world of customs chaos, we must send new signals in favour of joint free trade and the creation of joint free trade zones," he said. With a nod to India's population of 1.4 billion, he called the country "a huge opportunity" for enhancing economic collaboration. Söder's CSU is set to enter the next German government as one of the partners in a three-way coalition.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany's Merz expects his government to take office on May 6
Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz expects his new conservative-led government to take office on May 6, he told a business newspaper. Looking further ahead, he told Handelsblatt: "We will then have a good two months until the summer holidays to decide a few things very quickly so that people feel that something is really changing." Merz listed better border protection and and the reduction of bureaucracy as examples. However, before he can be elected by the Bundestag and his Cabinet appointed and sworn in, the parties involved must first sign the coalition agreement. Members of Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) need to approve the agreement first. The CDU is convening a small party conference in order to do so, while the SPD will hold a member consultation on Tuesday, which is expected to run for two weeks. Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU), sister party to the CDU, has approved the agreement already. Bavarian premier and CSU leader Söder had already mentioned May 6 as a possible date. If all goes as planned, the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD could be signed on May 5 and Merz elected in the Bundestag the following day, Söder said on Thursday, according to attendees at an internal CSU executive meeting.
