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Speaking to parliament, Scholz went into Germany's recent history of the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices to extend a suspension of self-imposed borrowing limits to tackle a crisis that has knocked his coalition. A constitutional court ruling nearly two weeks ago blocked the government's plans to reallocate unused pandemic funds towards green initiatives and industry support, raising fears Germany's economy could be further weakened. Scholz's assurances that his government would solve the budget crisis with care were met with jeers and laughter from the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), whose lawsuit against the government had sparked the earlier court ruling. He underscored support for Ukraine, after the recent budget turmoil raised questions over how much military aid Berlin was willing to commit. "It is also clear that we must not let up in our support for Ukraine and in overcoming the energy crisis.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Scholz, Germany's, Berlin, Scholz's, " Merz, Andreas Rinke, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Climate, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, Bundestag, Christian Democrats, Ukraine, Finance, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Ukraine, Germany, East Germany

☆ German government unveils budget fixes as way out of crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The government said the spillover effects from the energy crisis that hit in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and caused rocketing prices had created an emergency situation that justified suspending the debt brake. The leader of Scholz's SPD urged the government to consider suspending the debt brake next year, a move rejected in particular by the fiscally hawkish Free Democrats (FDP). "The debt brake must remain." The debt brake, introduced after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, was first suspended in 2020 to help the government support firms and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday he stressed the need to give companies, which have been worried by the uncertainty caused by the budget crisis, clarity as quickly as possible.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Annegret, Olaf Scholz's, finalising, Scholz's, Christian Duerr, Bijan Djir, Christian Kraemer, Riham Alkousaa, Amir Orusov, Rachel More, Matthias Williams, Thomas Escritt, Alison Williams, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Finance, Climate, REUTERS, Free Democrats, ZDF, Greens, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, BERLIN, Ukraine, Sarai, East Germany

☆ German cabinet to agree supplementary budget this afternoon - spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreNov 27 (Reuters) - Germany's cabinet is expected to agree a supplementary 2023 budget this afternoon, a government spokesperson said on Monday. The cabinet will also try to present a 2024 budget by the end of the year, the spokesperson said, adding that if this did not work out, the plan was to agree a budget in January. The cabinet would base its reasoning for a renewed suspension of the country's debt brake on 2022 reasoning, the spokesperson added, speaking at a regular press conference in Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government was forced to freeze most new spending commitments after the constitutional court blocked plans to repurpose unused pandemic funds towards green projects and industry subsidies, wiping billions from the federal budget. Reporting by Amir Orusov and Christian Kraemer, Editing by Rachel MoreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Amir Orusov, Christian Kraemer, Rachel More Organizations: Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany

☆ German government to agree budget fixes as way out of crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks next to Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck during a hearing at Germany’s lower house of parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, November 15, 2023. The budget would see Germany suspend its constitutionally enshrined debt brake for a fourth year in a row as Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government fights its way out of a crisis that has triggered warnings about growth and an industry exodus. "The debt brake must remain." The debt brake, introduced after the global financial crisis of 2008-09, was first suspended in 2020 to help the government support firms and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday he stressed the need to give companies, who have been worried by the uncertainty caused by the budget crisis, clarity as quickly as possible.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Annegret, Olaf Scholz's, finalising, Christian Duerr, Bijan Djir, Christian Kraemer, Riham, Matthias Williams, Alison Williams Organizations: Finance, Climate, REUTERS, Rights, Free Democrats, ZDF, Greens, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Sarai, East Germany

The court ruling has called into question Germany's traditionally strict fiscal policy and sparked warnings that German companies could be starved of support to keep them globally competitive. HANDS TIEDThe crisis has sparked calls for reforming the debt brake. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match," he said. A poll by broadcaster ZDF suggested only a minority of Germans supported suspending the debt brake. Some 57% wanted the budget shortfall from the court ruling to be covered by spending cuts, 11% favoured tax increases and 23% wanted the state to take on additional debt.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, Christian Lindner, Scholz, Lindner, Habeck, Steffen Hebestreit, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Toby Chopra, Gareth Jones, Deepa Babington Organizations: Climate, Finance, BERLIN, Greens, Social Democrats, Free Democrats, FDP, ZDF, Thomson Locations: Germany, Europe's, East Germany, China

Lindner plans to lift self-imposed limits on borrowing and present a supplementary budget next week after a constitutional court ruling wiped billions from the federal budget and forced the government to freeze most new spending commitments. HANDS TIED IN A BOXING MATCHThe crisis has sparked calls for reforming the debt brake. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match. A poll by the broadcaster ZDF suggested only a minority of Germans, 35%, supported suspending the debt brake however, compared to 61% wanting it to stay in place. Some 57% wanted the budget shortfall from the court ruling to be covered by spending cuts, 11% favoured tax increases and 23% wanted the state to take on additional debt.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Lindner, hawkish Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Thomas Gitzel, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Toby Chopra Organizations: BERLIN, German Finance, Greens, ZDF, Bank, Thomson Locations: Germany, China, Europe

The court ruling has called into question Germany's traditionally strict fiscal policy and sparked warnings that German companies could be starved of support to keep them globally competitive. The debt brake, introduced after the global financial crisis of 2008/09, was first suspended in 2020 to help the government support firms and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. HANDS TIEDThe crisis has sparked calls for reforming the debt brake. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match," he said. A poll by broadcaster ZDF suggested only a minority of Germans supported suspending the debt brake.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Fabrizio Bensch, Scholz, Olaf Scholz, Lindner, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Steffen Hebestreit, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Toby Chopra, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, BERLIN, Finance, Greens, ZDF, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe's, East Germany, China

Their options include drawing up a supplementary budget for 2023 and suspending Germany's self-imposed debt brake before reinstating it for next year. "Our goal is to discuss the budget quickly but with due care," said a joint statement of ruling party lawmakers. The delay has heightened uncertainty about spending in all areas of the German economy and meant the 2024 budget might not be concluded before the end of the year. "I firmly assume that the commitments for Intel and TSMC will remain," a government source said, adding: "This is very important to the chancellor, as well as to the economy minister." This will happen in the course of next early 2024 and we will see how far hydrogen is available," CEO Miguel Lopez said.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Olaf Scholz's, Scholz's, Siegfried Russwurm, TSMC, Scholz, Miguel Lopez, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Victoria Waldersee, Andreas Rinke, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Alex Richardson, Christina Fincher Organizations: Finance, Climate, Government, Ukraine Industry, Intel, TSMC, Wednesday, Social Democrat, Greens, Free Democrats, Fund, Eurasia Group, U.S, BMW, Volkswagen, Thomson Locations: TSMC BERLIN, Germany's, Ukraine, EU, Saxony, Anhalt, Berlin, Germany

☆ Pressure mounts on German government to find way out of budget hole
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Holger Hansen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The court ruled the budget manoeuvre was incompatible with the debt restrictions enshrined in Germany's constitution. The pressure is even more intense as talks for next year's budget are on the final stretch. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the government has already imposed a freeze on most new spending commitments on ministries. "German industry is looking at the current political situation with the greatest concern," said Siegfried Russwurm, president of the BDI industry association. One obstacle to reforming the debt brake, which restricts Germany's structural budget deficit to the equivalent of 0.35% of gross domestic product, has been Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Siegfried Russwurm, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Andreas Rinke, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray, Alex Richardson Organizations: Finance, Climate, Europe's, Social Democrat, Greens, Free Democrats, Fund, Reuters, Ukraine, Greens Economy, U.S, Intel, European, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, reallocating, Berlin, Ukraine

The government is considering whether to suspend Germany's constitutionally enshrined debt brake as a way out of the spending crunch, a source told Reuters, while a leading member of Scholz's own party also called for such a move. Habeck said he was not proposing to abolish Germany's constitutionally enshrined debt brake, but added that "it is inflexible". We are now being forced to modernize the economy with fewer public subsidies," he told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "Rather, it is the unsound and unconstitutional budget policy of the federal government and the (three-way) coalition. "One possibility could be to suspend the debt brake in 2023 ... but then not in 2024.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Minister Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Germany's, Lindner, Habeck, Sebastian Brehm, Markus Wacket, Christian Kraemer, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Ed Osmond, Paul Simao Organizations: Minister, Reuters, Greens, Free Democrats, CDU, CSU, Thomson Locations: United States

☆ Germany's lower house of parliament approves Financing for the Future Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Germany's lower house of parliament on Friday passed the Financing for the Future Act, to promote start-ups and improve access to capital markets. In the future, companies will be allowed to go public with a minimum market capitalization of one million euros instead of the previous 1.25 million. According to earlier statements by the government, the law will lead to annual tax revenue losses of almost one billion euros from 2026. The Future of Financing Act increases the tax allowance for employee share ownership to 2,000 euros from 1,440 euros. The package, called the Growth Opportunities Act, provides for tax relief of around 7 billion euros ($7.6 billion) a year from 2024, and a total of over 32 billion euros until 2028.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Christian Lindner, Lennard Oehl, Christian Kraemer, Maria Martinez, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Global, Germany's, SPD, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Silicon Valley

The economy and finance ministry declined immediate comment. "So the ruling could have a negative impact on economic growth," the source added. Last month, the economy ministry predicted 1.3% growth for next year. Although the Greens want additional spending, the Free Democrats (FDP), which heads the finance ministry, reject additional debt and higher taxes. "There is a clear political decision in favour of Intel and nothing has changed yet," said an economy ministry spokesperson on Friday.

Persons: Liesa, Olaf Scholz's, Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Joerg Kraemer, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Christian Haase, Commerzbank's Kraemer, Maria Martinez, Andreas Rinke, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Clarence Fernandez, Gerry Doyle, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thursday, Greens, Free Democrats, Transformation, Intel, U.S, Christian Democratic Union, ESF, Economic, Stabilization, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe's

Underscoring the frustration, Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a member of the pro-spending Greens, called the verdict "a huge blow to industrial policy". Speaking to parliament, Habeck warned the court ruling put at risk support for the steel sector, which is counting on subsidies to decarbonise and stay competitive. Finance Minister Christian Lindner meanwhile said it was too early to discuss the consequences of the court ruling. "The steel industry alone can contribute to reducing a third of total industrial emissions - and thus has enormous leverage to save millions of tons of CO2 in the coming years." "The political bottom line is that many coalition disputes will reopen as serious budget constraints kick in.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, BERLIN, Wednesday's, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Habeck, Yesenn, DBRS Morningstar, hawkish Lindner, Lindner, Bernhard Osburg, Carsten Brzeski, Eurointelligence, Maria Martinez, Christian Kraemer, Andreas Rinke, Markus Wacket, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Matthias Williams, Alexandra Hudson, Susan Fenton Organizations: Finance, Climate, Economy, Greens, CHANGE, Budget, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: United States, Berlin, Germany

[1/3] FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks on as he meets NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin, Germany, November 9, 2023. Wednesday's decision by the constitutional court could also set a precedent for fiscal responses to future crises. "FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES""The court ruling has far-reaching consequences for fiscal policy in Germany," said Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo economic institute. This was done with the Second Supplementary Budget Act 2021, which retroactively amended the Budget Act for 2021. The constitutional court ruled that this act was incompatible with Germany's Basic Law and so was void.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Jens Stoltenberg, Liesa, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Christian Lindner, Lindner, Scholz, Robert Habeck, Clemens Fuest, Ralph Solveen, Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Maria Martinez, Christian Kraemer, Ursula Knapp, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, Madeline Chambers, Susan Fenton, William Maclean, Catherine Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Finance, Union, Social Democrats, Free Democrats, Christian Democratic Union, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Ukraine

☆ German government supports Siemens Energy with $8 bln guarantees
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. Private banks were expected to provide Siemens Energy with guarantees worth 12 billion euros while Siemens Energy would seek another 3 billion from other sources, the statement said, adding it was conditional on the final sign-off of all parties. "We are pleased with the German government's clear support for Siemens Energy and the commitment to the rapid implementation of projects to make the energy transition a success," Siemens Energy said in a statement. Shares in Siemens AG rose 2.7% at 1517 GMT on the deal while Siemens Energy shares were up 0.3%. Siemens AG, which spun off Siemens Energy in 2020, is also expected to provide support by buying most of the 24% stake Siemens Energy owns in Siemens Ltd (SIEM.NS), an Indian joint venture, sources have told Reuters.

Persons: Dado, Marco Buschmann, Buschmann, Christian Kraemer, Alexander Hübner, Christoph Steitz, Linda Pasquini, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, David Evans Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Siemens AG, Reuters, Siemens Ltd, Siemens, RTL, ntv, Thomson Locations: Indian

And now Ben Hammou faces another blow as the German government moves to end pandemic-era tax breaks for the hospitality industry. The fiscally hawkish FDP party, which has control of the finance ministry in the three-way ruling coalition, backs letting the tax break expire, calculating that it would cost 3.3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) to keep it going in 2024. Many restaurants operate on tight margins, which makes them quite sensitive to tax increases. In Spain, Italy and France, the VAT on restaurants is at 10%, considerably lower than the expected 19% in Germany from 2024. The question is whether German restaurants are still struggling or have recovered well enough from the pandemic to withstand having the tax break removed, according to Tomas Dvorak, senior economist at Oxford Economics.

Persons: Omar Ben Hammou, Ben Hammou, Christian Lindner, Guido Zoellick, Thijs Geijer, Ingrid Hartges, DEHOGA, Steffen Marx, Tomas Dvorak, Maria Martinez, Christian Kraemer, Tanja Daube, Ulrike Heil, Belen Carreno, Giselda Vagnoni, Thomas Leigh, Matthias Williams, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Restaurant Association, ING, Reuters, Oxford Economics, Thomson Locations: Bavaria, BERLIN, Berlin, Russia, Ukraine, COVID, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Munich, Madrid, Rome, Paris

☆ Siemens Energy shares slide 39% after company seeks guarantees from German govt
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The logo of energy technology company Siemens Energy is displayed during the LNG 2023 energy trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 12, 2023. The weekly said Siemens Energy is seeking up to 15 billion euros in guarantees. Siemens remains an anchor investor in Siemens Energy, retaining a 25.1% stake. The government was ready to help Siemens Energy while stakeholders also will have to play their role, they said. J.P. Morgan said in a note that the energy transition will require substantially higher rates of investments, which will bring commercial opportunities for Siemens Energy and sector peers.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Siemens Gamesa, WirtschaftsWoche, Morgan, Matthias Inverardi, Christian Kraemer, Alexander Huebner, Vera Eckert, Friederike Heine, Miranda Murray, Sabine Wollrab, Rachel More, Jan Harvey, Susan Fenton Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Companies Company, Siemens, Siemens AG, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Spiegel, European Commission, Siemens Gamesa, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, BERLIN, Berlin

REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT/MUNICH, Oct 26 (Reuters) - German technology groups have warned they are being hit by delays in getting China-bound exports through customs, following the introduction of a German government strategy to reduce economic dependence on demand from China. German chip-making kit supplier Suess MicroTec (SMHNn.DE) late on Wednesday cut its sales forecasts for the second time in three months, blaming tightened controls for exports to China. German customs and the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lobby group Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) told Reuters the BAFA office was appearing to scrutinise export requests more closely or escalate requests to the economy ministry more often. Still, the German chamber of commerce said the political environment was hobbling exports to China.

Persons: Phil Noble, Suess, Friedolin Strack, Burkhardt Frick, Martin Wansleben, Alexander Huebner, Rene Wagner, Christian Kraemer, Thomas Escritt, Anneli, Ludwig Burger, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Office, Economic Affairs, Export Control, Pacific Committee, German Business, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, MUNICH, China, Asia, Munich, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt

☆ Germany's economy ministry plans 50 bln euros boost for industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

German Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck holds a press conference about the autumn economic forecasts, in Berlin, Germany, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Germany's economy ministry is planning 50 billion euros ($53 billion) in tax breaks over the next four years to help industry and businesses cope with high energy prices, according to a new industrial strategy to be presented Tuesday. The move is part of government efforts to support domestic industry in the face of high energy costs and the draw of incentive programmes in countries such as the United States. He also urged a quick agreement on discounted electricity prices for some parts of industry through state subsidies, a proposal that has been rejected by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The government last year introduced electricity and gas price caps to shield industry and households from rising energy prices, but energy-intensive companies in Germany say electricity prices are still too high.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Liesa, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Mark Potter Organizations: Climate, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, United States, Russia, Ukraine

Growth of 0.3% had been expected in the institutes' spring forecasts. The so-called Joint Economic Forecasts are to be presented in Berlin on Thursday. The economics ministry usually updates its forecasts incorporating the results of the Joint Economic Forecasts. For 2024, the institutes - four German and one Austrian - forecast GDP growth of 1.3%, down from 1.5% previously. The Joint Economic Forecasts are prepared by the Ifo Institute, the Halle Institute for Economic Research, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Austrian Institute of Economic Research.

Persons: Annegret, Christian Kraemer, Rene Wagner, Maria Martinez, Rachel Armstrong, Kirsti Knolle, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Ifo Institute, Halle Institute for Economic Research, Kiel Institute, Institute for Economic Research, Austrian Institute of Economic Research, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany

☆ Exclusive: Germany scraps plans for more stringent building standards to prop up industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Michele Tantussi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The German government will put on indefinite hold plans to require more stringent building insulation standards, environment minister Robert Habeck told Reuters, an effort to help prop up the ailing building industry. The about-face from the German government comes ahead of a closely watched meeting between the building industry and government leaders with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday to address a major slump in the sector. Abolition of the insulation standards has been a top demand of industry, which says the measures are too expensive and put a further damper on the depressed construction industry. "High interest rates and inflation are a heavy burden for the construction industry," Habeck told Reuters, noting that the insulation measures now "can wait". For years, low interest rates fuelled a global boom, igniting interest in German property, seen as safe and stable as the country.

Persons: Michele Tantussi, Robert Habeck, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Habeck, Christian Kraemer, Tom Sims, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Reuters Graphics Germany, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, United States, Sweden, China, Monday's

☆ Germany likely to pass 50% mark for renewable power this year - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A general view of a solar park in-front of the Unterweser Nuclear Power Plant in Stadland, Germany August 26, 2022. REUTERS/Benjamin Westhoff Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Germany is likely to generate more than 50% of its power from renewable energy this year but needs to ramp up the speed of its transition towards the end of the decade, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday. The economy minister, whose portfolio also includes energy and climate action, spoke of a boom in the solar power industry, with this year's target of achieving 9-gigawatt capacity expected to be reached. The expansion of onshore wind energy was also progressing well, he said, with 2022's full-year volumes already reached by the end of July 2023. Offshore wind energy expansion was being hampered by a lack of components needed to build the facilities, according to the minister.

Persons: Benjamin Westhoff, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Heinrich Boell, Christian Kraemer, Rachel More, Matthias Williams Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Stadland, Germany, Berlin

REUTERS/Lisi Niesner Acquire Licensing RightsMESEBERG, Germany, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Germany's coalition on Tuesday set aside weeks of squabbling to agree to a total of 32 billion euros ($34.63 billion) in corporate tax cuts over four years to boost the flagging economy. "The German economy can do more." The German economy stagnated in the second quarter, showing no sign of recovery from a winter recession and cementing its position as one of the world's weakest major economies. An agreement was reached on Tuesday when the two sides agreed to cut the planned Child Basic Insurance to just over two billion euros. A government document seen by Reuters showed subsidies are set to almost double to 67.1 billion euros next year compared to 2021.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Lisi Niesner, Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Lisa Paus, Lindner, Forsa, Scholz, Matthias Williams, Christian Kraemer, Thomas Escritt, Tomasz Janowski, Ed Osmond, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Schloss, REUTERS, Reuters, Finance Minister, Greens Family, Insurance, stoke, Thomson Locations: Schloss Meseberg, Gransee, Germany, Berlin

The German cabinet approved a new hydrogen strategy, setting guidelines for hydrogen production, transport infrastructure and market plans. Produced using solar and wind power, green hydrogen is a pillar of Berlin's plan to transition away from fossil fuels. "A domestic supply that fully covers demand does not make economic sense or serve the transformation processes resulting from the energy transition as a whole," the document said. But Germany's limited renewable energy space will make it heavily dependent on imported hydrogen, experts say. We simply need space for wind and photovoltaic to be able to produce the hydrogen," Philipp Heilmaier, an energy transition researcher at Germany energy agency, told Reuters.

Persons: Simone Peter, Bettina Stark, Watzinger, Philipp Heilmaier, Volker Wissing, Riham Alkousaa, Christian Kraemer, Rachel More, Kirsten Donovan, David Evans Organizations: Reuters, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Germany, Canada, Norway, United Arab, Australia

☆ Germany plans tougher rules to shield critical infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, July 17 (Reuters) - Germany's Interior Ministry wants to introduce measures aimed at protecting the country's critical infrastructure, according to a draft plan seen by Reuters on Monday, amid concern over foreign influence in certain areas of the economy. Minimum standards are to be set for operators, who will have to draw up resilience plans taking into account every conceivable risk. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, after which the Nord Stream oil pipelines were damaged in unexplained attacks, has put Germany and other European countries on high alert regarding critical infrastructure. The Interior Ministry aims to present a finalised bill to the cabinet by the end of the year, after which it would be put to parliament, where no major hurdles are expected. The ministry wants to nail down the definition of critical infrastructure, which spans areas such as energy, transport and telecommunications.

Persons: Christian Kraemer, Rachel More, Friederike Heine, Mike Harrison Organizations: Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Ukraine, Germany, Hamburg

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