Parliamentary Meetings in the Federal Diet of Germany this Week

Parliamentary Meetings in the Federal Diet of Germany this Week

Germany's Current Affairs: A Comprehensive Overview

Germany is making strides in various sectors, as evidenced by the recent developments in foreign policy, renewable energy, and trade agreements. Here's a roundup of some key updates:

Foreign Policy

The German government has announced the establishment of an Enquiry Commission titled "Lessons from Afghanistan for Germany's future networked engagement". The commission's goal is to comprehensively review Germany's foreign, security, and development policy engagement in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. The commission will consist of twelve members of the German Bundestag and twelve experts.

Meanwhile, Germany will continue its deployment in Kosovo, with an upper limit of 400 soldiers. Additionally, the German troops will again provide staff for the operational leadership in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the EU security mission EUFOR ALTHEA.

Renewable Energy

In a bid to prioritize renewable energies, the Renewable Energy Act has been amended to increase the expansion target for renewable energies to 80% of Germany's gross electricity consumption by 2030. The draft bill for increasing and accelerating the expansion of onshore wind energy sets binding area targets for the states for the first time.

Trade Agreements

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada requires ratification by each EU member state's national parliament to enter into full force at the national level. As of mid-2025, Germany has not yet fully ratified CETA at the national level, with the ratification process still pending.

The coalition factions and CDU/CSU faction will introduce a draft bill for the approval of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. The Easter package will focus on ambitious climate policy and the expansion of renewable energies. The factions aim to set new standards for future fair trade agreements together with Canada, one of the EU's closest partners.

Other Developments

The Federal Nature Conservation Act will set uniform federal standards for the species protection review for the first time. The final debate on the draft bill on accelerating procurement measures for the Bundeswehr (BwBBG) submitted by the coalition factions SPD, Greens, and FDP will take place this week.

A draft of the traffic light factions for a COVID-19 Protection Act will be discussed, aiming to extend the legal basis for COVID-19 vaccination and testing ordinances until the end of 2022. The revised procurement procedure provides for the exclusion of companies in states that do not provide sufficient guarantees for the protection of Germany's security interests.

Croatia has met the conditions for the introduction of the euro, according to the 2022 Convergence Report of the European Commission. The 2022 Federal Report on Research and Innovation (BuFI) will be presented to the Bundestag, detailing Germany's research and innovation system and investments.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stock corporations and related legal forms have been allowed to hold their general meetings in a purely digital format for the past two years through special regulations. The peace agreement signed between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement in November 2016 is being supported financially and politically by the German government.

The aim of CETA is to improve trade and investment opportunities between the EU and Canada, particularly by facilitating market access for goods and services and improving investment protection through an independent investment court system. The draft bill for establishing a gas reserve on standby and reducing gas consumption in the power sector in case of an impending gas shortage is also being introduced.

Lastly, the Expert Commission on Research and Innovation (EFI) has submitted a report recommending a new, comprehensive research and innovation strategy. The committee will examine the situation assessment, decision-making behavior, and communication of the federal government and its subordinate authorities from February 9, 2020 (Doha Agreement) to September 30, 2021 (end of the military evacuation mission).

| Aspect | Status in Germany (2025) | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------| | CETA Agreement | EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement | | Germany’s Ratification | Not yet fully completed as of 2025; pending at national level parliament[1] | | Context | Ten+ EU member states still need national ratification even 10 years post-agreement[1] | | Foreign Policy | Enquiry Commission on Afghanistan; Deployment in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina | | Renewable Energy | Increased expansion target to 80% by 2030; Binding area targets for states | | COVID-19 Protection | Extension of legal basis for vaccination and testing ordinances | | Research and Innovation | New strategy recommended by EFI | | Gas Reserves | Bill to establish gas reserve on standby and reduce gas consumption | | Financial Support | Support for the peace agreement in Colombia | | Procurement Measures | Revised procurement procedure with security interests in mind | | General Meetings | Allowed to be held digitally due to COVID-19 pandemic | | NATO Membership Approval | Draft bill for the approval of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership | | Fair Trade Agreements | Aim to set new standards for future fair trade agreements with Canada | | Investment Protection | Improvement through independent investment court system in CETA |

[1] Source: European Commission (2022), 2022 Convergence Report, Brussels.

1. Germany's focus on workplace-wellness is evident in the government's commitment to addressing medical-conditions and chronic-diseases such as cancer and respiratory-conditions.
2. In the realm of digital health, the government is advocating for improved eye-health, hearing, and skin-conditions assessments through advanced technologies.
3. The German health-and-wellness sector is also tackling digestive-health and mental-health issues, ensuring access to therapies-and-treatments for all citizens.
4. Addressing men's-health concerns, the industry is focusing on prostate health, testicular health, and addressing the unique health needs of men.
5. To support women's-health, the government is promoting access to sexual-health education, family-health resources, and maternal-health services.
6. In the area of aging, the government is supporting research and initiatives for eldercare, dementia treatment, and overall senior health.
7. To promote family-health, parenting resources and education, as well as weight-management programs, are being made available to the public.
8. The government is implementing cardiovascular-health programs to combat heart disease, stroke, and other circulatory issues.
9. Addressing autoimmune-disorders, the health sector is focusing on research and treatments for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
10. Climate-change is also impacting health, with the government addressing the rising incidences of heat-related illnesses, air-pollution-related respiratory issues, and vector-borne diseases.
11. In the manufacturing sector, worker safety and well-being are being prioritized, with a focus on reducing exposure to potentially hazardous substances and creating safer working conditions.
12. The government is investing in environmental-science to better understand and address the health impacts of climate-change and pollution.
13. In finance, the government is promoting financial literacy to improve individuals' understanding of nutrition, savings, and investments.
14. The energy sector is focusing on sustainable, renewable energy sources to reduce energy costs and minimize the health impacts of traditional fossil fuels.
15. In space-and-astronomy, the sector is conducting research to better understand the impact of space travel on human health and well-being.
16. The retail sector is prioritizing sustainability, wellness, and ethical practices in their operations.
17. Entrepreneurship is being fostered through programs that support innovation in industries like health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and skin-care.
18. Transportation is being improved to reduce traffic congestion, promote safety, and minimize the health impacts of air and noise pollution.
19. In leadership, there is a focus on promoting diversity-and-inclusion in all sectors to create a more equitable society.
20. In small-business, the government is providing support to promote economic growth, job creation, and overall business development.
21. The government is encouraging investing in start-ups and innovative projects that address challenges in areas such as health, energy, and the environment.
22. The real-estate industry is addressing the need for affordable housing and promoting sustainability in construction and management practices.
23. The stock-market is being monitored for its impact on the economy, with the government implementing regulations to promote stability and transparency.
24. The government is working to address the impacts of migration on health, providing resources and services for newly arrived migrants.
25. In international relations, the government is addressing war-and-conflicts, providing humanitarian aid and support for refugees.
26. The government is working to address issues related to car-accidents, implementing stricter safety regulations and promoting safe driving practices.
27. In the area of politics, the government is focusing on protecting citizens' rights and promoting democracy.
28. The media is covering general-news, including local, national, and international affairs, to keep citizens informed and engaged.
29. The government is addressing crime-and-justice issues, implementing policies to promote public safety and ensure justice for all citizens.

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