Search

Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer is cold-shouldering the Neos and refers to joint government resolutions, while Beate Meinl-Reisinger refers to the newly introduced package tax as nonsense and calls for its abolition, yet without presenting any concrete alternatives. #Paketsteuer #Neos #Finanzministerium (translated)

We saw it over the summer that the demand for new construction loans is clearly declining. Currently, construction interest rates are climbing towards 4.5 percent - and that has consequences, says Carsten Brzeski from ING Bank: "We saw it over the summer that the demand for new construction loans is clearly declining." Incentives need to be offered, because otherwise, due to high construction and interest costs, no one will do it voluntarily. Due to the lack of alternatives, there needs to be a strong interest in modernizing this stock in a climate-friendly way, says Carsten Brzeski from ING Bank: "Incentives need to be offered, because otherwise, due to high construction and interest costs, no one will do it voluntarily." #Immobilienpreise #Baukredite #Wohnraum (translated)

Co-author Barbara Prainsack from the University of Vienna explains in an interview with KURIER how platform operators could be held more accountable, what alternatives exist to mere age restrictions, why an internationally coordinated approach is crucial – and why total bans should also be viewed critically. #SozialeMedien #PsychischeGesundheit #Regulierung (translated)

Gordon Repinski wrote that Putin's actions should be taken seriously and are happening while Donald Trump is president. Therefore, he argued that Friedrich Merz is needed. Should the coalition break apart, all alternatives would lead, in his view, to politicians whom he referred to as "Russia understanders." He wrote that he does not want that given the significance of the upcoming issues. https://t.co/WYQSelA8OS #Putin #FriedrichMerz #Politik (translated)

Christian Miele listed twelve challenges that Germany must overcome, in his opinion. Electricity and labor are expensive for companies: employers pay an average of around 45 euros per work hour, about 29 percent more than in the EU. In addition, high network fees and levies have increased energy costs; Germany exited nuclear power before sufficiently cheap and reliable alternatives were available. Long approval processes, according to Miele, also deter companies from investing. He named demographic change, rising contributions, and immigration that often does not lead to employment quickly enough as further problems. The shortage of skilled workers is real, he wrote, but uncontrolled immigration burdens households and municipalities. The Bundeswehr is also still inadequately equipped after decades of underfunding: the NATO target of 2 percent has long been missed, and there is still a lack of personnel, ammunition, and operational equipment. Miele wrote that Germany’s economy is hardly growing on its own: it shrank in 2023 and 2024 and only grew by 0.2 percent in 2025. Industry is producing less than it did a few years ago. In addition to taxes, levies, and energy costs, he pointed to weak demand, competition from China, and a lack of new products. In education, about one in three 15-year-olds does not reach the basic level in mathematics and reading; the gap between children from poor and rich families is as large as it has been since the beginning of the PISA tests. At the same time, there is a shortage of teachers and many school buildings are dilapidated. Among the further challenges, Miele listed the need for renovation of roads, bridges, railways, and schools. The municipal investment backlog is over 200 billion euros, about 55 billion of which is for schools alone. In his view, excessively high rents, low construction activity, and long approval processes also make it difficult to move to cities with open positions. The state is slow in digitization; many applications are still on paper, and internet coverage in rural areas is patchy. Finally, Miele warned that government spending is increasing without the economy growing correspondingly. Pensions, social services, and interest compete with defense and infrastructure for the same funds. If debt grows faster than economic output, there will be less room for investment later on, he wrote. Ultimately, the working people would bear the consequences, Miele explained, and he asked for his readers' assessments. #Herausforderungen #Wirtschaft #Deutschland (translated)

Next week at the latest, the speaker will give Andersson the exploratory mission. Referring to the fact that she still has the highest likelihood of the two options to gather a majority behind her and the budget, as 176 mandates have said they will vote for her. Anything else is #politik #Sverige #majoritet #SE (translated)

The shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is increasing as the US Navy and allies successfully guide tankers through alternative routes, while Iran is facing significant pressure due to international sanctions and military measures. #Ölmarkt #IranKonflikt #StraßevonHormus (translated)

+++ Stützen oder stürzen? @bundeskanzler erwägt, schon am Sonntag @CDU Präsidium zu einer Sitzung zu bitten und indirekt die Vertrauensfrage zu stellen. Strikten Reformkurs gegen die @spdde unterstützen, öffentlich, oder Alternativen offen benennen. ➡️ https://t.co/re7m2ucfQv #Deutschland #Bundesregierung #Vertrauensfrage #DE

Diese Woche war ich mangels Alternativen in einem Hotel direkt am Berliner Kurfürstendamm - eine Straße, die sich jeden Abend bis spät in die Nacht in eine Rennstrecke für getunte Protzautos verwandelt. Mit röhrendem Motor rasen diese Poser mit weit über den erlaubten 50 km/h durch die Stadt und terrorisieren mit ihren Lärm alle Anwohner der Gegend. An ruhigen Schlaf oder offene Fenster ist hier nicht zu denken. Wie kann sich eine Stadt, wie können sich die Menschen das täglich gefallen lassen? Wie darf es in einer zivilisierten Gesellschaft überhaupt sein, dass einzelne Männer ihren automobilen Fetisch auf Kosten so vieler Anderer ungestört ausleben dürfen? Warum gibt es hier kaum Blitzer, nächtliche Tempolimits oder temporäre Fahr- verbote, um den Anwohnern ein klein bisschen Ruhe zu geben? Ich hoffe so sehr, dass dieser Auto-Wahnsinn irgendwann ein Ende hat und dass die Politik, die all das auch noch als Freiheit verkauft, endlich abgewählt wird. #Berlin #Umweltschutz #Lärmschutz