Patrick Schnieder
Photo: Foto-AG Gymnasium Melle, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
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- Aug 23
Merz returns to Berlin facing CDU dissent, cabinet retreat and state elections
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended a 23-day summer break, returning to Berlin ahead of a CDU presidium meeting, a cabinet retreat at Schloss Neuhardenberg, and three state elections in September.
- Jul 27
Merz reshuffles CDU and cabinet: Franziska Hoppermann to become party general secretary, Linnemann moves to health ministry
Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed the current party treasurer to the CDU presidium on Monday, part of a wider personnel package triggered by Jens Spahn's resignation as parliamentary group leader.
- Jul 26
Söder announces 2028 re-election bid, defends Merz's reshuffle, and warns against AfD cooperation
Bavarian premier Markus Söder used the ZDF Sommerinterview to confirm his 2028 candidacy, defend Chancellor Merz's cabinet reshuffle, and draw a sharp line against cooperation with the AfD, while also addressing the Berlin CSD attack.
- Jul 24
Merz reshuffles German cabinet after Spahn resignation, signals further changes before state votes
Chancellor Friedrich Merz replaced his chancellery chief and health minister on Friday, with the transport minister also expected to depart, as he seeks to revive his unpopular government before September regional elections.
- Jul 22
Rader High Bridge funding gap threatens A7 bottleneck as first span nears completion and second remains unfinanced
Schleswig-Holstein's transport minister Claus Ruhe Madsen demands Berlin commit money for the second span of the Rader High Bridge, warning that leaving the A7 project half-finished would create a permanent traffic jam on a key Scandinavian corridor.
- Jul 9
Deutsche Bahn delays Nuremberg-Regensburg reopening by three weeks, orders review of renovation program
The reopening of the renovated Nuremberg-Regensburg railway line has been pushed from July 10 to July 31 due to ongoing safety checks on new signal box technology. CEO Evelyn Palla announced a comprehensive review of the entire corridor renovation program after the second major delay this year.
- Jul 8
Deutsche Bahn to invest €50 million in AI for faster passenger updates on delays and cancellations
Deutsche Bahn is pouring €50 million into AI and IT to give passengers faster, more reliable information on delays, cancellations and platform changes, CEO Evelyn Palla announced on Wednesday.
- Jul 4
Germany's 2027 budget draft lifts rail expansion funds to €2.2 billion
The draft federal budget for 2027 raises investment in new and expanded rail lines to €2.2 billion, up from €1.8 billion, while cutting subsidies that keep freight on tracks.
- Jun 26
Bundestag passes Infrastructure Future Act, prioritising motorways and rail over environmental concerns
Germany's lower house approved a law giving road, rail, waterway and airport projects 'overriding public interest' status to cut planning times from years to months, drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups and opposition parties.
- Jun 11
East German state premiers hold special conference on aerospace and defence at BER airport
The state premiers of eastern Germany convened at Berlin Brandenburg Airport today to coordinate investment in drone technology, rail links, and aerospace manufacturing, with federal officials in attendance.
- Jun 10
Merz says patience with SPD 'at an end' over stalled infrastructure law, coalition scrambles to contain fallout
Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the SPD of blocking a law to fast-track major construction projects, telling a closed-door Union faction meeting his patience with the Social Democrats was 'at an end.' Coalition leaders moved quickly to limit the damage.
