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What you need to know
- Germany’s Bundestag is scheduled to vote on a major purchase of armed drones for its troops
- Some parliamentarians are spooked by the fact that Trump/Vance-backer Peter Thiel is an investor in one of the companies set to deliver the weapons
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in China on a two-day visit that will touch on global security and economic partnership
Here are the latest headlines, reports and analyses from across Germany on Wednesay, February 25:
Heiner Wilmer is the new chief Catholic bishop in Germany
The number of Christians in Germany is declining, and society is divided.
However, Heiner Wilmer, the new chairman of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is calling for unity and dialogue.
Read DW’s full report on the new top representative of the Catholic Church in Germany.
Criticism after coalition ditches environmental home heating law
After months of negotiations, Germany’s ruling CDU/CSU/SPD coalition has announced its intention to change heating laws pushed by the previous SPD/Green/FDP government.
The presentation of the new Building Modernization Law (Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz in German — yes, one word) late Tuesday incensed opposition parties as well as environmental groups who blasted it as a “climate betrayal” and “a gift to the fossil fuel industry.”
The initial law, which went into effect in 2024 and required at least 65% of all new home heating systems to operate with renewables, will now be watered down to instead foster the installation of new oil and gas heating systems.
The coalition says the new law will do away with the finicky bureaucracy of the old law pushed by then vice chancellor and economy minister, Robert Habeck, and give homeowners the freedom to keep their existing heating systems.
The law would also do away with requiring individual heating systems to tie in to communal thermal heating systems.
Greens, for instance, say the law simply maintains German “dependence on gas and oil — and with that, autocrats.”
Critics say renters will be most impacted by the change, as these would be “chained to expensive and outdated gas infrastructure” subject to rising gas and network fees.
According to the proposal presented on Tuesday, oil and gas systems will eventually be required to burn bio-methane, synthetic methane, bio-oil, hydrogen or hydrogen derivatives.
The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), a Friends of the Earth-allied NGO, called it “irresponsible to sell this sham as environmental protection.”
Although the paper contained few details, critics also hammered the proposed changes for dooming Germany’s chances of hitting its own climate neutrality targets.
The government claims “Germany will be climate neutral by 2045, including in the housing sector.”
The coalition says the Cabinet will approve the bill by Easter and it will go into effect on July 1.
READ: Germany bets on industrial AI to rival US and China
Germany is already harnessing AI for smarter production — with virtual factories, robot fleets and its newly launched Industrial AI Cloud.
Can this edge overcome stagnation and let the country truly take on its rivals?
Read DW’s full report on Germany’s wager on artificial intelligence.
Merz in China
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in China for a two-day visit. Merz will meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping to discuss economic cooperation and global security and reportedly, human rights.
The chancellor, who is traveling with a delegation of German business leaders, will visit China’s tech hub Hangzhou before returning to Berlin.
Keep up to date with the latest on Merz’s trip on our DW live blog here.
Bundestag votes on major drone acquisition
Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, will vote on the purchase of so-called “kamikaze drones” on Wednesday. At issue is the acquisition of thousands of explosives-laden drones, produced by German start-ups and to be deployed with Bundeswehr soldiers stationed in Lithuania on NATO‘s eastern flank as a defensive measure against Russian aggression.
Germany’s army is seeking to acquire thousands of small drones capable of dropping their explosive charge on targets or crashing into them, hence the kamikaze moniker.
The initial order being voted upon today is worth about €536 million ($633 million), with an option to expand the order into the billions. The exact number of drones included has not been published. The Bundeswehr says the munitions would be deployed to Lithuania in 2027.
The Bundestag is expected to approve purchases from the companies Helsing in Munich and Stark Defence in Berlin.
Both companies say their drones are equipped with AI-supported defense systems that protect them against electrical jamming. Early issues with targeting inaccuracy have reportedly been fixed and both companies say they are testing their products in the field in Ukraine, claiming that they are “combat proven.” The Bundeswehr contract will contain an “innovation clause” to insure German forces have the most up-to-date equipment possible.
Both Helsing and Stark say their drones are capable of destroying “artillery, tanks and other military targets within a 100 kilometer (62 mile) radius.”
There are problems, however. The Green Party has objected to the deal and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his colleagues in the SPD have only recently signaled approval after initial concerns.
The issue pertains to Stark and one of its investors — US tech investment billionaire Peter Thiel. A major backer of Vice President JD Vance, German-born Thiel is known for his lack of faith in democracy — “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible” — and this seriously worries some parliamentarians.
Stark has sought to tamp down such concerns, pointing out that foreign investors must undergo rigorous Federal Economy Ministry vetting before they can acquire more than 10% of stocks and adding that Thiel has no say in the company’s day-to-day business.
The chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Thomas Röwenkamp of the CDU, said “open questions regarding overall cost, unit numbers and technical ability” will be resolved through “parliamentary processes.”
Welcome to our coverage
Guten Morgen from DW in Bonn, where the sun is up and temperatures are forecast to be unseasonably warm.
Today we begin our coverage with Germany’s Bundestag voting on a massive deal that would supply so-called “kamikaze drones” to Bundeswehr troops stationed in Lithuania on NATO’s eastern flank.
The much-needed drones are to be produced by two German startups, however, there is a snag. A key investor in one of the companies is no other than Peter Thiel, a German-born US billionaire buddy of President Donald Trump.
We are also expecting Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to appear before the Bundestag in the early afternoon.
Stay tuned to DW for the latest.
- Germany’s Bundestag is scheduled to vote on a major purchase of armed drones for its troops
- Some parliamentarians are spooked by the fact that Trump/Vance-backer Peter Thiel is an investor in one of the companies set to deliver the weapons
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in China on a two-day visit that will touch on global security and economic partnership
Here are the latest headlines, reports and analyses from across Germany on Wednesay, February 25:
Here are the latest headlines, reports and analyses from across Germany on Wednesay, February 25:
The number of Christians in Germany is declining, and society is divided.
However, Heiner Wilmer, the new chairman of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is calling for unity and dialogue.
Read DW’s full report on the new top representative of the Catholic Church in Germany.
The number of Christians in Germany is declining, and society is divided.
However, Heiner Wilmer, the new chairman of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is calling for unity and dialogue.
Read DW’s full report on the new top representative of the Catholic Church in Germany.
After months of negotiations, Germany’s ruling CDU/CSU/SPD coalition has announced its intention to change heating laws pushed by the previous SPD/Green/FDP government.
The presentation of the new Building Modernization Law (Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz in German — yes, one word) late Tuesday incensed opposition parties as well as environmental groups who blasted it as a “climate betrayal” and “a gift to the fossil fuel industry.”
The initial law, which went into effect in 2024 and required at least 65% of all new home heating systems to operate with renewables, will now be watered down to instead foster the installation of new oil and gas heating systems.
The coalition says the new law will do away with the finicky bureaucracy of the old law pushed by then vice chancellor and economy minister, Robert Habeck, and give homeowners the freedom to keep their existing heating systems.
The law would also do away with requiring individual heating systems to tie in to communal thermal heating systems.
Greens, for instance, say the law simply maintains German “dependence on gas and oil — and with that, autocrats.”
Critics say renters will be most impacted by the change, as these would be “chained to expensive and outdated gas infrastructure” subject to rising gas and network fees.
According to the proposal presented on Tuesday, oil and gas systems will eventually be required to burn bio-methane, synthetic methane, bio-oil, hydrogen or hydrogen derivatives.
The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), a Friends of the Earth-allied NGO, called it “irresponsible to sell this sham as environmental protection.”
Although the paper contained few details, critics also hammered the proposed changes for dooming Germany’s chances of hitting its own climate neutrality targets.
The government claims “Germany will be climate neutral by 2045, including in the housing sector.”
The coalition says the Cabinet will approve the bill by Easter and it will go into effect on July 1.
After months of negotiations, Germany’s ruling CDU/CSU/SPD coalition has announced its intention to change heating laws pushed by the previous SPD/Green/FDP government.
The presentation of the new Building Modernization Law (Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz in German — yes, one word) late Tuesday incensed opposition parties as well as environmental groups who blasted it as a “climate betrayal” and “a gift to the fossil fuel industry.”
The initial law, which went into effect in 2024 and required at least 65% of all new home heating systems to operate with renewables, will now be watered down to instead foster the installation of new oil and gas heating systems.
The coalition says the new law will do away with the finicky bureaucracy of the old law pushed by then vice chancellor and economy minister, Robert Habeck, and give homeowners the freedom to keep their existing heating systems.
The law would also do away with requiring individual heating systems to tie in to communal thermal heating systems.
Greens, for instance, say the law simply maintains German “dependence on gas and oil — and with that, autocrats.”
Critics say renters will be most impacted by the change, as these would be “chained to expensive and outdated gas infrastructure” subject to rising gas and network fees.
According to the proposal presented on Tuesday, oil and gas systems will eventually be required to burn bio-methane, synthetic methane, bio-oil, hydrogen or hydrogen derivatives.
The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND), a Friends of the Earth-allied NGO, called it “irresponsible to sell this sham as environmental protection.”
Although the paper contained few details, critics also hammered the proposed changes for dooming Germany’s chances of hitting its own climate neutrality targets.
The government claims “Germany will be climate neutral by 2045, including in the housing sector.”
The coalition says the Cabinet will approve the bill by Easter and it will go into effect on July 1.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Germany is already harnessing AI for smarter production — with virtual factories, robot fleets and its newly launched Industrial AI Cloud.
Can this edge overcome stagnation and let the country truly take on its rivals?
Read DW’s full report on Germany’s wager on artificial intelligence.
Germany is already harnessing AI for smarter production — with virtual factories, robot fleets and its newly launched Industrial AI Cloud.
Can this edge overcome stagnation and let the country truly take on its rivals?
Read DW’s full report on Germany’s wager on artificial intelligence.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in China for a two-day visit. Merz will meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping to discuss economic cooperation and global security and reportedly, human rights.
The chancellor, who is traveling with a delegation of German business leaders, will visit China’s tech hub Hangzhou before returning to Berlin.
Keep up to date with the latest on Merz’s trip on our DW live blog here.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in China for a two-day visit. Merz will meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping to discuss economic cooperation and global security and reportedly, human rights.
The chancellor, who is traveling with a delegation of German business leaders, will visit China’s tech hub Hangzhou before returning to Berlin.
Keep up to date with the latest on Merz’s trip on our DW live blog here.
Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, will vote on the purchase of so-called “kamikaze drones” on Wednesday. At issue is the acquisition of thousands of explosives-laden drones, produced by German start-ups and to be deployed with Bundeswehr soldiers stationed in Lithuania on NATO‘s eastern flank as a defensive measure against Russian aggression.
Germany’s army is seeking to acquire thousands of small drones capable of dropping their explosive charge on targets or crashing into them, hence the kamikaze moniker.
The initial order being voted upon today is worth about €536 million ($633 million), with an option to expand the order into the billions. The exact number of drones included has not been published. The Bundeswehr says the munitions would be deployed to Lithuania in 2027.
The Bundestag is expected to approve purchases from the companies Helsing in Munich and Stark Defence in Berlin.
Both companies say their drones are equipped with AI-supported defense systems that protect them against electrical jamming. Early issues with targeting inaccuracy have reportedly been fixed and both companies say they are testing their products in the field in Ukraine, claiming that they are “combat proven.” The Bundeswehr contract will contain an “innovation clause” to insure German forces have the most up-to-date equipment possible.
Both Helsing and Stark say their drones are capable of destroying “artillery, tanks and other military targets within a 100 kilometer (62 mile) radius.”
There are problems, however. The Green Party has objected to the deal and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his colleagues in the SPD have only recently signaled approval after initial concerns.
The issue pertains to Stark and one of its investors — US tech investment billionaire Peter Thiel. A major backer of Vice President JD Vance, German-born Thiel is known for his lack of faith in democracy — “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible” — and this seriously worries some parliamentarians.
Stark has sought to tamp down such concerns, pointing out that foreign investors must undergo rigorous Federal Economy Ministry vetting before they can acquire more than 10% of stocks and adding that Thiel has no say in the company’s day-to-day business.
The chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Thomas Röwenkamp of the CDU, said “open questions regarding overall cost, unit numbers and technical ability” will be resolved through “parliamentary processes.”
Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, will vote on the purchase of so-called “kamikaze drones” on Wednesday. At issue is the acquisition of thousands of explosives-laden drones, produced by German start-ups and to be deployed with Bundeswehr soldiers stationed in Lithuania on NATO‘s eastern flank as a defensive measure against Russian aggression.
Germany’s army is seeking to acquire thousands of small drones capable of dropping their explosive charge on targets or crashing into them, hence the kamikaze moniker.
The initial order being voted upon today is worth about €536 million ($633 million), with an option to expand the order into the billions. The exact number of drones included has not been published. The Bundeswehr says the munitions would be deployed to Lithuania in 2027.
The Bundestag is expected to approve purchases from the companies Helsing in Munich and Stark Defence in Berlin.
Both companies say their drones are equipped with AI-supported defense systems that protect them against electrical jamming. Early issues with targeting inaccuracy have reportedly been fixed and both companies say they are testing their products in the field in Ukraine, claiming that they are “combat proven.” The Bundeswehr contract will contain an “innovation clause” to insure German forces have the most up-to-date equipment possible.
Both Helsing and Stark say their drones are capable of destroying “artillery, tanks and other military targets within a 100 kilometer (62 mile) radius.”
There are problems, however. The Green Party has objected to the deal and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his colleagues in the SPD have only recently signaled approval after initial concerns.
The issue pertains to Stark and one of its investors — US tech investment billionaire Peter Thiel. A major backer of Vice President JD Vance, German-born Thiel is known for his lack of faith in democracy — “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible” — and this seriously worries some parliamentarians.
Stark has sought to tamp down such concerns, pointing out that foreign investors must undergo rigorous Federal Economy Ministry vetting before they can acquire more than 10% of stocks and adding that Thiel has no say in the company’s day-to-day business.
The chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Thomas Röwenkamp of the CDU, said “open questions regarding overall cost, unit numbers and technical ability” will be resolved through “parliamentary processes.”
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Guten Morgen from DW in Bonn, where the sun is up and temperatures are forecast to be unseasonably warm.
Today we begin our coverage with Germany’s Bundestag voting on a massive deal that would supply so-called “kamikaze drones” to Bundeswehr troops stationed in Lithuania on NATO’s eastern flank.
The much-needed drones are to be produced by two German startups, however, there is a snag. A key investor in one of the companies is no other than Peter Thiel, a German-born US billionaire buddy of President Donald Trump.
We are also expecting Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to appear before the Bundestag in the early afternoon.
Stay tuned to DW for the latest.
Guten Morgen from DW in Bonn, where the sun is up and temperatures are forecast to be unseasonably warm.
Today we begin our coverage with Germany’s Bundestag voting on a massive deal that would supply so-called “kamikaze drones” to Bundeswehr troops stationed in Lithuania on NATO’s eastern flank.
The much-needed drones are to be produced by two German startups, however, there is a snag. A key investor in one of the companies is no other than Peter Thiel, a German-born US billionaire buddy of President Donald Trump.
We are also expecting Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to appear before the Bundestag in the early afternoon.
Stay tuned to DW for the latest.
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