Weekly occurrences at the German parliament, Bundestag
In Germany, the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a focus, with the Second Supplementary Budget Act 2021 providing additional funding for emergency measures and investments related to the pandemic response and recovery. However, the explicit current status or follow-up details on this act are not found in recent data, which primarily report 2025 fiscal budgets and future plans [1].
For the near future, a significant investment of €33.7 billion is earmarked for modernising transport infrastructure in 2026, reflecting a continued focus on infrastructure investment that could be part of broader economic and supplementary fiscal measures [1].
Meanwhile, in Iraq, the German Armed Forces continue to play a crucial role in the region. The mandate, which covers Iraq exclusively as the area of operations, will be comprehensively reviewed during the mandate period. Germany will continue to participate in the build-up of regular Iraqi armed forces, providing staff personnel and capabilities for air refueling and ground-based airspace surveillance [2]. The presence of Germany and its international partners in the region remains crucial to prevent a resurgence of IS in the region and contribute to more reconciliation in Iraq.
In other developments, the German government is working on a comprehensive nutrition strategy to set clear criteria for animal and environmental protection, enable sustainable nutrition, and ensure fair working conditions. By the end of 2023, the pesticide glyphosate is to be removed from the market [3].
The German cabinet is set to decide on the Annual Economic Report 2022 on Wednesday, followed by a government statement and debate in the Bundestag on Friday. The report summarizes key economic developments of the past year and provides an outlook for 2022, with the further economic development continuing to be significantly influenced by the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical situation [4].
The state measures taken so far are effective and necessary to cushion the acute economic impacts of the pandemic and secure jobs and income. The prognosis for the end of 2022/beginning of 2023 is cautiously optimistic [5].
The German government has also declared an extraordinary state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Bundestag having declared this state beyond the control of the state based on Article 115, Paragraph 2, Sentences 6 and 7 of the Basic Law.
As for agriculture, the direct payments of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are to be examined for adequate replacement by rewarding climate and environmental performance. By the end of 2022, a binding animal husbandry labeling system is planned to be introduced, covering transport and slaughtering [6].
Lastly, the goal is to achieve 30 percent organic farming in Germany by 2030, and livestock farming is to be transformed in a species-appropriate manner by aligning future investment promotion with keeping criteria and adjusting the criteria for species-appropriate stalls in building and permitting law [7].
References: [1] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-invest-33-7-billion-in-transport-infrastructure-in-2026/a-61195001 [2] https://www.bundeswehr.de/presse/aktuelles/aktuelles-meldungen/article354716/Deutschland-bleibt-in-Irak-engagiert.html [3] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/landwirtschaft-nahrungsmittel/pflanzenschutzmittel-glyphosat-auslaufen-1817448 [4] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsbericht-2022-1815794 [5] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/coronavirus-situation-2022-1816684 [6] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/landwirtschaft-nahrungsmittel/tierhaltung-lieferschlacht-transparenz-1817447 [7] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/landwirtschaft-nahrungsmittel/organische-landwirtschaft-1817446
- The German government is developing a comprehensive nutrition strategy, aiming to set criteria for animal and environmental protection, promote sustainable nutrition, and ensure fair working conditions.
- In the realm of environmental science, the German government plans to introduce a binding animal husbandry labeling system by the end of 2022, focusing on Transport and slaughtering.
- The German government's focus on policy and legislation extends to agriculture, with the direct payments of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) being scrutinized for climate and environmental performance.
- In the broader context of politics and general news, the German government is working towards achieving 30 percent organic farming in Germany by 2030 and transforming livestock farming in a species-appropriate manner.
