Monday's top story: Ministry of justice plans stronger tenant protections
In light of Germany's housing shortage and rising rents, the SPD-led ministry of justice wants to improve protections for tenants and presented a draft bill on Sunday to reform tenancy law.
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) said existing tenancy law contains “gaps” that must be closed as affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce.
The draft includes a package of new measures, including stricter regulations and transparency for the rental of furnished apartments and short-term leases, greater protection for tenants facing eviction due to unpaid rent, and a cap on inflation rate-linked rents.
In strained housing markets, for example, landlords will be required to itemise the furniture surcharge separately. If they fail to do so, the apartment will be considered unfurnished. Tenants will then only have to pay the rent that would be legally permissible for an unfurnished apartment.
However, the plans go too far for the CDU/CSU, the SPD's coalition partner, who believe further adjustments are needed to avoid hampering investment.
Meanwhile, the Greens criticised the proposal as insufficient. The Left Party called it a step forward but demanded a nationwide rent cap. The German Tenants’ Association strongly welcomed the reforms, calling them overdue in a market where asking rents in major cities have doubled since 2010.
READ ALSO: How much can you sublet your apartment for in Germany?
Demonstrators in Berlin call for fall of Iran's Islamic republic
Several thousand demonstrators rallied in Berlin on Saturday calling for an end to Iran's clerical-led government and its bloody repression of protests.
Police said 10,000 people had attended one protest at the city's Brandenburg Gate organised by the MEK, an exiled opposition group considered "terrorist" by Tehran.
Another demonstration, this one organised by supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of the last shah of Iran, attracted 1,600 people, said police. They marched along a major avenue, carrying shah-era Iranian flags as well as US, German and Israeli ones.
The demonstrations followed protests in Iran that began at the end of December. Triggered by economic malaise in the sanctions-hit country, they spiralled into anti-government street demonstrations in January and were countered by a crackdown by the security forces, which rights groups say killed thousands of people.
READ ALSO: German chancellor says Iran regime living its 'last days'
New Saxony-Anhalt minister-president calls for community service for BĂĽrgergeld recipients
Saxony-Anhalt's recently elected Minister-President Sven Schulze believes that state aid should be reciprocated and wants to encourage greater participation in community service for recipients of citizen's aid (BĂĽrgergeld).
"For example, helping out in a municipality, raking leaves, or now in winter when there's snow – why can't people who are healthy, at home, and currently unemployed do that?" Bild am Sonntag reported.
"I believe we must first and foremost talk about those who could work but don't go to work," he added.
READ ALSO: When will Germany's disputed unemployment benefit reform take effect?
Mandatory community service could be useful for curbing undeclared work in the case of benefit recipients who, for financial reasons, avoid the labour market by working illegally, economist Monika Schnitzer said.
However, making it a general obligation for all recipients of basic income support would be counterproductive, she added. This could prevent genuine unemployed job-seekers from entering the regular job market, she told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group.
Germany gets off to an impressive start at the Winter Olympics in Italy
Germany’s Winter Olympics campaign kicked into action on Day 2 of the games (Sunday) with medals in biathlon, luge and alpine skiing.
Biathletes Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Vanessa Voigt, Franziska PreuĂź took bronze in the 4x6 km mixed relay.
Emma Aicher won silver in the women’s downhill competition – a race which dominated headlines around the world on Sunday when 41-year-old American Lyndsey Vonn crashed in the top section and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Finally, in the men’s singles luge, Max Langenhan took gold after setting record breaking times over four runs.
On Monday, medals are up for grabs in skiing (men’s combined slalom and moguls) snowboarding, figure skating and curling.
READ ALSO: How to watch the Winter Olympics in Germany
Berlin arson inquiry spurs flood of public tips
Investigators have received a surge of public information after the German government offered a reward for clues about the suspected far‑left arson attack that crippled parts of Berlin’s power grid in January.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the press that the Federal Criminal Police Office is evaluating a large volume of tips but stressed it remains unclear whether any will prove decisive.
Authorities have offered up to €1 million for information submitted by February 24th that leads directly to the arrest of those behind the January 3rd attack, which damaged high‑voltage cables and cut electricity and heating for about 45,000 households during sub‑zero temperatures.
READ ALSO: Berlin offers 1 million euro reward for information on blackout culprits
Dobrindt suggested divisions within the far‑left extremist scene over whether the attack was a “success” could encourage insider cooperation. He added that time‑limited rewards are designed to prevent months‑long hesitation by potential accomplices.
Federal prosecutors and the BKA continue to appeal for information from the public.
Automobile association warns of billions in extra costs due to winter road damage
Damage to roads from recurring winter weather has been more extensive than in previous years and could "run into the billions", ADAC, Europe's largest automobile association, said on Sunday.
Fluctuating temperatures around freezing are more problematic for infrastructure than prolonged periods of frost, the association explained.
This winter, temperatures have frequently oscillated between above- and below-freezing, which has been particularly damaging to roads, creating new potholes, ADAC said.
After several comparatively mild years, Germany is experiencing a more severe winter this year.Â
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