Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Friday's top story: Bundestag gives go-ahead for new enquiry into the coronavirus pandemic

A good two years after the end of the last nationwide coronavirus restrictions, the Bundestag voted by a large majority to set up a commission of inquiry into the pandemic and its consequences.

The committee, comprising MPs and experts, will begin its work in September and present its report and recommendations by mid-2027.

SPD deputy parliamentary group leader Dagmar Schmidt said: ‘The commission should investigate what worked well, but also where there were shortcomings – and how we can draw concrete lessons from this for future crises.’

Union deputy faction leader Albert Stegemann (CDU) said that the aim was to conduct an honest analysis of the coronavirus period.

Between 2019 to 2023, the pandemic confronted citizens, civil society, state institutions, businesses, art and culture with challenges ‘of historic proportions and unprecedented since the Second World War,’ states the relevant motion.

The commission will consist of 14 members of parliament and 14 experts, with a remit to consider aspects of the pandemic including: early detection, crisis management, measures against the spread of the virus with reference to their impact on children and young people, the elderly and the dying, and the impact on sectors and organisations such as culture, tourism, volunteers and associations.

Allied countries pledge aid to Ukraine for reconstruction

Ukraine is to receive long-term aid for reconstruction after the end of Russia's war of aggression, announced allied countries at a conference in Rome on Thursday.

Numerous heads of state and government are attending the two-day conference, including German Chancellor Merz (CDU).

At the meeting, Merz emphasised that Russia must pay for the damage caused by the invasion and estimated the material damage in Ukraine at around €500 billion.

READ ALSO: German military sees Russia as 'existential risk' to Germany and Europe: report

Until this money has been paid, Moscow will not be given access to frozen Russian assets, he said.

Merz went on to confirm that the German government had offered to buy Patriot air defence systems from the US, which will ultimately be given to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Zelensky called for a ‘coalition for reconstruction’ to be formed in addition to military aid. Ukraine needs investment, he said, and reiterated his demand that frozen Russian state assets be used for reconstruction.

Improvements to Germany’s rail network delayed again

Deutsche Bahn has requested more time to complete its renovation of major rail routes in Germany, with work now scheduled to be completed in 2036.

This means that the modernisation of more than 40 busy routes in urgent need of renovation will now take at least five years longer than originally planned.

READ ALSO: Why Germany's nationwide rail upgrade faces a four-year delay

At the end of June, the federally owned company had already proposed extending the construction work by four years until 2035.

‘The extension of the programme until 2036 proposed by the infrastructure operator offers opportunities to better prepare the projects,’ said the managing director of the Association of German Freight Railways, Peter Westenberger.

The final decision on the timing of the corridor renovations will be made by the federal government.

Minister threatens unfair landlords with fines

According to Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD), the extension of the rent control law passed by the Bundestag is not enough to protect tenants from excessive demands.

“After the summer break, a commission of experts will begin its work to address other pressing issues in tenancy law,” Hubig told the German Press Agency.

Currently, if a landlord violates the rent control law, the tenant can reclaim the excessive rent from them. ‘That's all the landlord has to fear,’ Hubig criticised. ‘In my view, that is unsatisfactory.’

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED - How Germany's extended rent brake will impact tenants

The SPD politician says it is important to her to emphasise ‘that there are many decent landlords in Germany’. At the same time, she says, many people on low and middle incomes do not dare to object when they are offered a flat on unfair terms.

‘Those who are afraid of losing the roof over their heads will not speak up when in doubt.’ That is why the legislature must take action here.

The commission on tenancy law issues is to submit its proposals by December 31st, 2026 at the latest.

Disruptions on Berlin's central S-Bahn lines

Due to repairs to a defective signal at Janowitzbrücke station, there are delays and disruptions on several line of Berlin's central S-Bahn lines, BVG announced on Friday.

The central lines S3, S5, S7 and S9 are affected.

The Berlin S-Bahn did not say until when the disruptions are to last.

In other Berlin transport news, Tagesspiegel reported on Friday morning that the Nollendorfplatz U-Bahn station is to be closed for four months starting from the beginning of next year.

In what is expected to be among the city's biggest U-bahn disruptions in decades, the U1, U3 and U4 lines will all be temporarily suspended.

With reporting by DPA and Paul Krantz.