Parliamentary proceedings this week in Germany's Bundestag
The German Bundestag is set to discuss the federal government's Economic Report for 2023 and the Council of Experts' Annual Report for 2022 this week, with a focus on measures to support companies in challenging economic conditions and comprehensive measures against energy scarcity and targeted relief to overcome the energy crisis.
The Economic Report, which refers to the OECD's "Innovation Policy Germany" from October 2022, emphasizes digitalization and climate protection as priority challenges. The report also highlights the increase in private-sector research and development expenditure by around six percent in 2021 compared to the previous year.
In the realm of cultural and educational foreign policy, the federal government has presented the Report on Cultural and Educational Foreign Policy for 2021, which is also up for discussion. Notably, a total of 2.3 billion euros were available for the tasks and goals of this policy in 2021.
A significant portion of these funds, approximately 1.3 billion euros, was allocated to the individual budget of the Foreign Office. Most of the remaining funds are used to support intermediary organizations such as the Goethe-Institut or the German Academic Exchange Service.
Approximately 3,500 research projects are funded annually within the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM), with about a third having a clear reference to ecological innovations. The Bundestag is currently debating the report of the federal government on programs for promoting innovation and technology in SMEs, specifically the ZIM.
In addition to economic discussions, the Bundestag has been focusing on humanitarian issues. The 81st, 82nd, and 83rd sessions of the German Bundestag in January 2023 highlighted humanitarian assistance, including Germany's role as a humanitarian donor and issues related to the Grand Bargain commitments in international aid.
On 23 January 2023, there was a public hearing by the Bundestag's Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, where experts like CHA director Ralf Südhoff participated, reflecting on humanitarian assistance topics.
Broader parliamentary reform debates continue, including changes to the structure and size of the parliament and seat distribution rules. However, the January 2023 sessions particularly emphasized humanitarian issues.
The federal government has also proposed to restructure the Independent Patient Counseling Germany (UPD) and secure its funding by establishing the Independent Patient Counseling Foundation.
In other news, the draft bill by SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP aims to amend the electoral system, maintaining the regular size of the Bundestag at 598 members and abolishing the system of surplus and leveling mandates. Each voter will have two votes: the second vote will be renamed "main vote" and the first vote "direct vote". An initially discussed third vote (substitute vote) will not be introduced. The 299 electoral districts, the five percent hurdle, and the adjusted basic mandate clause will remain in place.
Lastly, since 2021, CO2 emissions from fuels in the transport and heat sectors not covered by the EU-ETS have been tracked and priced through a national fuel emissions trading system - the Fuel Emissions Trading Act (BEHG). The EU Commission has approved the planned financial compensations for operators of facilities in Germany that fall under both the BEHG and the EU-ETS.
These developments reflect the German government's commitment to addressing economic challenges, promoting innovation, and maintaining its role as a humanitarian aid actor on the global stage.
The upcoming discussions in the German Bundestag are not limited to economic reports but also include policy-and-legislation surrounding cultural and educational foreign policy. (Policy-and-legislation)
The proposed draft bill by SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP aims to change the electoral system, with a focus on the structure of the Bundestag, seat distribution rules, and a new voting system. (politics, general-news)
