{"id":1788009,"date":"2026-02-23T08:48:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T05:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1788009"},"modified":"2026-02-23T08:48:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T05:48:41","slug":"tiktok-agrees-to-sell-over-80-of-us-assets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1788009","title":{"rendered":"TikTok agrees to sell over 80% of US assets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76058441_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Eha<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76058441_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76058441_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76058441_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76058441_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Merz has criticized the average of 14.5 sick days taken by employees in Germany<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Thilo Schmuelgen\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx h1du6kc5 lt5vbch pohyj9x s16w0xvi m1u0isv1 b1fzgn0z\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>The center-left Social Democrats are opposing a proposal by their coalition partner, the center-right CDU, to scrap telephone sick notes\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>A new report shows that German machinery exports declined amid US tariffs\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Germany is calling on Hungary to reconsider a decision to block a new package of EU sanctions against Russia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the latest stories making headlines in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany\/t-17871182\">Germany<\/a> on Monday, February 23:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76094090\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76094090\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section TikTok should be under European purview, German minister says<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">TikTok should be under European purview, German minister says<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>German Culture Minister Wolfram\u00a0Weimer\u00a0proposed placing Beijing-based social media company TikTok\u00a0in the hands of European companies, citing security concerns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When it comes to TikTok, I believe we need to ask the question of ownership, just like the Americans,&#8221; Weimar said during a panel discussion at a\u00a0conference hosted by Germany&#8217;s DPA news agency.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Europe should find an answer to this question: Who owns TikTok, and should we not place it in European hands, in agreement with ByteDance?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>TikTok and its Chinese parent, ByteDance, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/tiktok-establishes-joint-venture-to-avoid-us-ban\/a-75615188\">closed a deal last month<\/a>\u00a0to transfer parts of their US operation to American investors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/tiktok-us-deal\/a-75234707\">US government long demanded<\/a> that TikTok&#8217;s Chinese owners sell their shares or face a potential ban on the app in the US,\u00a0evoking national security concerns.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 TikTok agrees to sell over 80% of US assets\" class=\"headline\">TikTok agrees to sell over 80% of US assets<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-75248122\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"75248122\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/tvdownloaddw-a.akamaihd.net\/stills\/images\/je\/je20251219_QTrioloPartner_image_512x288_3.jpg\" data-duration=\"03:57\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20251219_QTrioloPartner_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59HY2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76091124\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76091124\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section More people than ever watched the Winter Olympics in Germany<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">More people than ever watched the Winter Olympics in Germany<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"no-link m1ho1h07 l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Saim Du\u0161an Inayatullah<\/span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> Editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76093286\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76093286_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"ZDF journalists Amelie Stiefvatter and Marco Beuchel with microphones at Winter Olympics\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Germany&#8217;s public broadcasters recorded high viewership for the 2026 Winter Olympics<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Michael Memmler\/Eibner-Pressefoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>German public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF reported record numbers of viewers during the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/winter-olympics-2026-the-lasting-impressions\/a-76057604\">2026\u00a0Milan\u00a0Winter Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The two free-to-air TV channels\u00a0had\u00a0an average of 3.173 million people watching\u00a0live broadcasts, representing a market share of 23.2%. That&#8217;s\u00a0almost twice as much as the viewership of the\u00a02022 Games in Beijing, although the different time zone was likely a contributing factor.<\/p>\n<p>The last Winter Games that took place in the same time zone as Germany were 20 years ago, and their viewership on German TV were still significantly lower than this year&#8217;s Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>The most popular sport was\u00a0the men&#8217;s doubles in luge, with 6.79 million people tuning in live.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Besides TV, the two broadcasters also had wide reach online. ARD recorded more than 85 million video views, while ZDF had more than 50 million.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The digital figures are going through the roof. We were successful in every way,&#8221; ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59GmC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76090609\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76090609\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Poland arrests Belarusian spy who was reportedly also active in Germany<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Poland arrests Belarusian spy who was reportedly also active in Germany<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Poland has arrested an\u00a0alleged\u00a0Belarusian spy who engaged in espionage for Belarus military intelligence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland&#8217;s Internal Security Agency, or ABW, announced Monday that the man had been taken into custody on February 9.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The ABW has accused the suspect of gathering intel on criticial infrastructure in <span class=\"editable placeholder\" data-id=\"19070837\" data-size=\"BIG\" data-type=\"AUTO_TOPIC\" title=\"Automatische Themenseite\">Poland<\/span>, Germany and Lithuania\u00a0\u2014 all <span class=\"editable placeholder\" data-id=\"19016346\" data-size=\"BIG\" data-type=\"AUTO_TOPIC\" title=\"Automatische Themenseite\">NATO<\/span> members.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76090481\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76090481_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A Polish police officer in Gdansk on August 31, 2022\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Polish authorities have cracked down on suspected Russian and Belarusian spies since the invasion of Ukraine began<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Robson90\/Depositphotos\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The suspect, known as Pavlov. T, will stay in provisional detention for a period of three months. If convicted, Pavlov T. could face a minimum prison sentence of five years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and has allowed Russian troops to use its territory for the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland is a strong supporter of Ukraine. Poland has previously said that it has detained dozens of people spying on behalf of Russia since the beginning of the invasion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Gdt<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76090597\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76090597\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Bavaria police report attack at Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses stand<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Bavaria police report attack at Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses stand<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76090512\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76090512_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A still from a video shows police investigating after a knife attack at the central station of W\u00fcrzburg \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The attack took place the W\u00fcrzburg Central Station<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Michaela Johannsen\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A man attacked three people at\u00a0a\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses stand at a train station in the southern German city of\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">W\u00fcrzburg, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/bavaria\/t-18968282\">Bavarian<\/a> police said in <a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.polizei.bayern.de\/aktuelles\/pressemitteilungen\/098610\/index.html\" title=\"External link \u2014 a statement\">a statement<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The man<span dir=\"auto\">\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">approached the stand and &#8220;<span dir=\"auto\">made several stabbing motions toward&#8221;\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">a 68-year-old man and also &#8220;physically attacked&#8221; a 55-year-old and a 51-year-old.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>The three people had\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">minor injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Bystanders intervened and stopped the suspect\u00a0until he was arrested, police said.<\/p>\n<p><span dir=\"auto\">The 35-year-old suspect was subdued by several bystanders and taken into custody.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Gdh<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76088437\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76088437\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Merz condemns &#8216;utter barbarity&#8217; of Russia under Putin&#8217;s rule<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Merz condemns &#8216;utter barbarity&#8217; of Russia under Putin&#8217;s rule<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/friedrich-merz\/t-60575802\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> denounced what he called\u00a0the &#8220;utter barbarity&#8221; of Russia under <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/vladimir-putin\/t-17449200\">President Vladimir Putin<\/a>&#8216;s rule.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This country, under this leadership, is currently at the lowest point of utter barbarity, and no one should have any doubt about what kind of regime and barbarity we are dealing with out of Russia these days,&#8221; Merz said a speech Monday, a day before the fourth anniversary of Russia&#8217;s full-scale <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ukraine-updates-russia-hits-odesa-ahead-of-war-anniversary\/live-76082184\">invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The German chancellor also praised Ukraine&#8217;s effort.\u00a0&#8220;February \u200csaw astonishing territorial \u200cgains \u200bby the Ukrainian defense forces, and the Russian \u200beconomy is creaking under the weight \u2060of \u200bsanctions and \u200bof warfare \u2014\u00a0more \u200bthan we \u200cmay sometimes surmise from our own \u200bmedia \u2060coverage here,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Ukrainians hold firm as Russia's war enters its fifth year\" class=\"headline\">Ukrainians hold firm as Russia&#8217;s war enters its fifth year<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76075800\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76075800\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/74299961_605.webp\" data-duration=\"02:13\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260221_QUkraine22F_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59G4r<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76088368\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76088368\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Germans approve of democracy but say it doesn&#8217;t work well<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Germans approve of democracy but say it doesn&#8217;t work well<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76053378\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76053378_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Voters queuing up to vote in a polling station in Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin in 2021\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Ninety-eight percent of respondents to the &#8216;Germany Monitor 2025&#8217; survey said they support democracy<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Hauke-christian Dittrich\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Democracy is indispensable, according to most respondents to the new &#8220;Germany Monitor 2025&#8221; survey.<\/p>\n<p>However, many say it is functioning less well than in the past, and rapid change is causing great uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germans-approve-of-democracy-but-say-it-doesnt-work-well\/a-76058634\">DW&#8217;s full report on what Germans think about democracy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59G3k<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76083220\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76083220\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Germany calls on Hungary to reconsider block on Russia sanctions<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Germany calls on Hungary to reconsider block on Russia sanctions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76085270\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76085270_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks to reporters in Brussels\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Wadephul made the remarks as the EU&#8217;s 27 foreign ministers gathering in Brussels<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Virginia Mayo\/AP\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/johann-wadephul\/t-72493606\">German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul<\/a> said he was &#8220;astonished by the Hungarian position&#8221; after <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hungary-threatens-veto-of-90-billion-eu-loan-to-ukraine\/a-76067806\">Budapest vowed to block<\/a> new EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I do not believe \u200cit is right for \u200cHungary \u200bto betray its own struggle for freedom and \u200bEuropean sovereignty,&#8221; Wadephul said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That is why we \u2060will \u200bonce \u200bagain present our arguments \u200bto the Hungarians \u200cin Budapest, but also here \u200bin \u2060Brussels, of course, and ask \u2060them \u200bto reconsider their position,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/orban-says-eu-bigger-threat-to-hungary-than-russia\/a-75974022\">Hungary is stalling the 20th EU sanction package<\/a> as it\u00a0seeks\u00a0to pressure Ukraine to reopen a key oil pipeline. EU sanctions must\u00a0be approved by all 27 countries in the bloc.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia through Ukraine and onward to EU countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, was damaged by a Russian attack in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Eii<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76083232\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76083232\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section German machinery exports fall for third year in a row<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">German machinery exports fall for third year in a row<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-economy\/t-19112011\">Germany exported\u00a0machinery and equipment<\/a> worth a total of \u20ac198.5 billion ($234 billion) in 2025, declining by\u00a01.8%\u00a0compared with 2024, according to\u00a0the VDMA industry association<\/p>\n<p>The decline, which looks\u00a0even sharper at 3.3% when adjusted for inflation,\u00a0marks the third consecutive year of contraction.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in exports came amid a trade dispute with the US\u00a0and weak business in China, the VDMA said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;US tariffs, increasing protectionism, and the associated uncertainty on the world markets are hitting the export-oriented mechanical and plant engineering sector hard &#8211; and they pose major challenges for companies,&#8221; VDMA chief economist Johannes Gernandt said.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0association expects that exports to China will\u00a0continue to decline, while high US tariffs on the steel and aluminum content of machinery weigh\u00a0on business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Eiu<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76083398\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76083398\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section SPD against CDU&#8217;s proposal on scrapping tele-sick notes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">SPD against CDU&#8217;s proposal on scrapping tele-sick notes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>A proposal by the center-right <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/christian-democratic-union-cdu\/t-17351950\">Christian Democratic Union (CDU)<\/a> to end sick notes issued\u00a0via telephone is facing opposition from the party&#8217;s coalition partner, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/social-democratic-party-spd\/t-17437818\">the Social Democrats (SPD)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Dirk Wiese,\u00a0SPD parliamentary secretary, said telephone-issued sick notes &#8220;make perfect sense.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They relieve the burden on doctors&#8217; offices and prevent further infections in waiting rooms,&#8221; Wiese told daily tabloid\u00a0<em>Bild\u00a0<\/em>on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He said the government should instead focus on taking action against the &#8220;abuse of online sick notes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As a coalition, we should now focus on this instead of questioning sensible rules and placing patients under general suspicion,&#8221;\u00a0he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Under current rules, patients who are already known to a practice and show only mild symptoms can receive a sick note by phone for up to five days. For any extension, they must see a doctor in person.<\/p>\n<p>CDU delegates at the\u00a0party&#8217;s convention over the weekend backed the proposal against tele sick notes. They argued that the easier it is to obtain a sick note, the more likely people are to make what they call a &#8220;bedside\u00a0decision,&#8221;\u00a0choosing to call in sick without much hesitation.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/merz-cdu-party-congress-germany-deutschland\/live-76052837\">CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> has previously\u00a0criticized what he considers a high level of sick leave in Germany.<\/p>\n<p>Health Minister Nina Warken, also from the CDU, now says the regulation will be reviewed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Lazy Germany: Is more work the way back to the top?\" class=\"headline\">Lazy Germany: Is more work the way back to the top?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-75931380\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"75931380\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75930528_605.webp\" data-duration=\"26:04\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/que\/que260212_Gesamt_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Ela<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76083934\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150#post-liveblog-post-76083934\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Welcome to our coverage<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">02\/23\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">February 23, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Welcome to our coverage<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"no-link m1ho1h07 l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Farah Bahgat<\/span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> blog writer this morning<\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"separator lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> | <\/span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><em>Moin <\/em>from Bonn, where a blue sky is slowly coming out from under the clouds after showers over the weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;re watching reactions come out from political parties after the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/christian-democratic-union-cdu\/t-17351950\">CDU<\/a> convention wrapped up on Saturday with some unpopular proposals, including an end to telephone-issued sick notes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another big topic today is <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/trump-tariffs-eu-grapples-with-fallout-of-us-court-ruling\/a-76070061\">the US tariffs<\/a> and their effects on Germany and Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Also on Monday, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/frank-walter-steinmeier\/t-17345761\">German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier<\/a> is hosting Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador at the\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">Bellevue Palace.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59EuE<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"h4zlaoh bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu cx4rgdt ih9bob8 disabled sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>The center-left Social Democrats are opposing a proposal by their coalition partner, the center-right CDU, to scrap telephone sick notes\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>A new report shows that German machinery exports declined amid US tariffs\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Germany is calling on Hungary to reconsider a decision to block a new package of EU sanctions against Russia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the latest stories making headlines in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany\/t-17871182\">Germany<\/a> on Monday, February 23:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Here are the latest stories making headlines in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany\/t-17871182\">Germany<\/a> on Monday, February 23:<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>German Culture Minister Wolfram\u00a0Weimer\u00a0proposed placing Beijing-based social media company TikTok\u00a0in the hands of European companies, citing security concerns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When it comes to TikTok, I believe we need to ask the question of ownership, just like the Americans,&#8221; Weimar said during a panel discussion at a\u00a0conference hosted by Germany&#8217;s DPA news agency.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Europe should find an answer to this question: Who owns TikTok, and should we not place it in European hands, in agreement with ByteDance?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>TikTok and its Chinese parent, ByteDance, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/tiktok-establishes-joint-venture-to-avoid-us-ban\/a-75615188\">closed a deal last month<\/a>\u00a0to transfer parts of their US operation to American investors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/tiktok-us-deal\/a-75234707\">US government long demanded<\/a> that TikTok&#8217;s Chinese owners sell their shares or face a potential ban on the app in the US,\u00a0evoking national security concerns.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 TikTok agrees to sell over 80% of US assets\" class=\"headline\">TikTok agrees to sell over 80% of US assets<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-75248122\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"75248122\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/tvdownloaddw-a.akamaihd.net\/stills\/images\/je\/je20251219_QTrioloPartner_image_512x288_3.jpg\" data-duration=\"03:57\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20251219_QTrioloPartner_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>German Culture Minister Wolfram\u00a0Weimer\u00a0proposed placing Beijing-based social media company TikTok\u00a0in the hands of European companies, citing security concerns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When it comes to TikTok, I believe we need to ask the question of ownership, just like the Americans,&#8221; Weimar said during a panel discussion at a\u00a0conference hosted by Germany&#8217;s DPA news agency.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Europe should find an answer to this question: Who owns TikTok, and should we not place it in European hands, in agreement with ByteDance?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>TikTok and its Chinese parent, ByteDance, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/tiktok-establishes-joint-venture-to-avoid-us-ban\/a-75615188\">closed a deal last month<\/a>\u00a0to transfer parts of their US operation to American investors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/tiktok-us-deal\/a-75234707\">US government long demanded<\/a> that TikTok&#8217;s Chinese owners sell their shares or face a potential ban on the app in the US,\u00a0evoking national security concerns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76093286\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76093286_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"ZDF journalists Amelie Stiefvatter and Marco Beuchel with microphones at Winter Olympics\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Germany&#8217;s public broadcasters recorded high viewership for the 2026 Winter Olympics<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Michael Memmler\/Eibner-Pressefoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>German public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF reported record numbers of viewers during the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/winter-olympics-2026-the-lasting-impressions\/a-76057604\">2026\u00a0Milan\u00a0Winter Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The two free-to-air TV channels\u00a0had\u00a0an average of 3.173 million people watching\u00a0live broadcasts, representing a market share of 23.2%. That&#8217;s\u00a0almost twice as much as the viewership of the\u00a02022 Games in Beijing, although the different time zone was likely a contributing factor.<\/p>\n<p>The last Winter Games that took place in the same time zone as Germany were 20 years ago, and their viewership on German TV were still significantly lower than this year&#8217;s Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>The most popular sport was\u00a0the men&#8217;s doubles in luge, with 6.79 million people tuning in live.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Besides TV, the two broadcasters also had wide reach online. ARD recorded more than 85 million video views, while ZDF had more than 50 million.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The digital figures are going through the roof. We were successful in every way,&#8221; ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>German public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF reported record numbers of viewers during the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/winter-olympics-2026-the-lasting-impressions\/a-76057604\">2026\u00a0Milan\u00a0Winter Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The two free-to-air TV channels\u00a0had\u00a0an average of 3.173 million people watching\u00a0live broadcasts, representing a market share of 23.2%. That&#8217;s\u00a0almost twice as much as the viewership of the\u00a02022 Games in Beijing, although the different time zone was likely a contributing factor.<\/p>\n<p>The last Winter Games that took place in the same time zone as Germany were 20 years ago, and their viewership on German TV were still significantly lower than this year&#8217;s Olympics.<\/p>\n<p>The most popular sport was\u00a0the men&#8217;s doubles in luge, with 6.79 million people tuning in live.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Besides TV, the two broadcasters also had wide reach online. ARD recorded more than 85 million video views, while ZDF had more than 50 million.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The digital figures are going through the roof. We were successful in every way,&#8221; ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky said.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Poland has arrested an\u00a0alleged\u00a0Belarusian spy who engaged in espionage for Belarus military intelligence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland&#8217;s Internal Security Agency, or ABW, announced Monday that the man had been taken into custody on February 9.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The ABW has accused the suspect of gathering intel on criticial infrastructure in <span class=\"editable placeholder\" data-id=\"19070837\" data-size=\"BIG\" data-type=\"AUTO_TOPIC\" title=\"Automatische Themenseite\">Poland<\/span>, Germany and Lithuania\u00a0\u2014 all <span class=\"editable placeholder\" data-id=\"19016346\" data-size=\"BIG\" data-type=\"AUTO_TOPIC\" title=\"Automatische Themenseite\">NATO<\/span> members.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76090481\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76090481_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A Polish police officer in Gdansk on August 31, 2022\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Polish authorities have cracked down on suspected Russian and Belarusian spies since the invasion of Ukraine began<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Robson90\/Depositphotos\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The suspect, known as Pavlov. T, will stay in provisional detention for a period of three months. If convicted, Pavlov T. could face a minimum prison sentence of five years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and has allowed Russian troops to use its territory for the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland is a strong supporter of Ukraine. Poland has previously said that it has detained dozens of people spying on behalf of Russia since the beginning of the invasion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poland has arrested an\u00a0alleged\u00a0Belarusian spy who engaged in espionage for Belarus military intelligence.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland&#8217;s Internal Security Agency, or ABW, announced Monday that the man had been taken into custody on February 9.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The ABW has accused the suspect of gathering intel on criticial infrastructure in <span class=\"editable placeholder\" data-id=\"19070837\" data-size=\"BIG\" data-type=\"AUTO_TOPIC\" title=\"Automatische Themenseite\">Poland<\/span>, Germany and Lithuania\u00a0\u2014 all <span class=\"editable placeholder\" data-id=\"19016346\" data-size=\"BIG\" data-type=\"AUTO_TOPIC\" title=\"Automatische Themenseite\">NATO<\/span> members.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The suspect, known as Pavlov. T, will stay in provisional detention for a period of three months. If convicted, Pavlov T. could face a minimum prison sentence of five years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and has allowed Russian troops to use its territory for the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Poland is a strong supporter of Ukraine. Poland has previously said that it has detained dozens of people spying on behalf of Russia since the beginning of the invasion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76090512\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76090512_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A still from a video shows police investigating after a knife attack at the central station of W\u00fcrzburg \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The attack took place the W\u00fcrzburg Central Station<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Michaela Johannsen\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A man attacked three people at\u00a0a\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses stand at a train station in the southern German city of\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">W\u00fcrzburg, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/bavaria\/t-18968282\">Bavarian<\/a> police said in <a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.polizei.bayern.de\/aktuelles\/pressemitteilungen\/098610\/index.html\" title=\"External link \u2014 a statement\">a statement<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The man<span dir=\"auto\">\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">approached the stand and &#8220;<span dir=\"auto\">made several stabbing motions toward&#8221;\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">a 68-year-old man and also &#8220;physically attacked&#8221; a 55-year-old and a 51-year-old.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>The three people had\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">minor injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Bystanders intervened and stopped the suspect\u00a0until he was arrested, police said.<\/p>\n<p><span dir=\"auto\">The 35-year-old suspect was subdued by several bystanders and taken into custody.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A man attacked three people at\u00a0a\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses stand at a train station in the southern German city of\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">W\u00fcrzburg, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/bavaria\/t-18968282\">Bavarian<\/a> police said in <a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.polizei.bayern.de\/aktuelles\/pressemitteilungen\/098610\/index.html\" title=\"External link \u2014 a statement\">a statement<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The man<span dir=\"auto\">\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">approached the stand and &#8220;<span dir=\"auto\">made several stabbing motions toward&#8221;\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">a 68-year-old man and also &#8220;physically attacked&#8221; a 55-year-old and a 51-year-old.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>The three people had\u00a0<span dir=\"auto\">minor injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Bystanders intervened and stopped the suspect\u00a0until he was arrested, police said.<\/p>\n<p><span dir=\"auto\">The 35-year-old suspect was subdued by several bystanders and taken into custody.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/friedrich-merz\/t-60575802\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> denounced what he called\u00a0the &#8220;utter barbarity&#8221; of Russia under <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/vladimir-putin\/t-17449200\">President Vladimir Putin<\/a>&#8216;s rule.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This country, under this leadership, is currently at the lowest point of utter barbarity, and no one should have any doubt about what kind of regime and barbarity we are dealing with out of Russia these days,&#8221; Merz said a speech Monday, a day before the fourth anniversary of Russia&#8217;s full-scale <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ukraine-updates-russia-hits-odesa-ahead-of-war-anniversary\/live-76082184\">invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The German chancellor also praised Ukraine&#8217;s effort.\u00a0&#8220;February \u200csaw astonishing territorial \u200cgains \u200bby the Ukrainian defense forces, and the Russian \u200beconomy is creaking under the weight \u2060of \u200bsanctions and \u200bof warfare \u2014\u00a0more \u200bthan we \u200cmay sometimes surmise from our own \u200bmedia \u2060coverage here,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Ukrainians hold firm as Russia's war enters its fifth year\" class=\"headline\">Ukrainians hold firm as Russia&#8217;s war enters its fifth year<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76075800\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76075800\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/74299961_605.webp\" data-duration=\"02:13\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260221_QUkraine22F_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/friedrich-merz\/t-60575802\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> denounced what he called\u00a0the &#8220;utter barbarity&#8221; of Russia under <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/vladimir-putin\/t-17449200\">President Vladimir Putin<\/a>&#8216;s rule.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This country, under this leadership, is currently at the lowest point of utter barbarity, and no one should have any doubt about what kind of regime and barbarity we are dealing with out of Russia these days,&#8221; Merz said a speech Monday, a day before the fourth anniversary of Russia&#8217;s full-scale <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ukraine-updates-russia-hits-odesa-ahead-of-war-anniversary\/live-76082184\">invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The German chancellor also praised Ukraine&#8217;s effort.\u00a0&#8220;February \u200csaw astonishing territorial \u200cgains \u200bby the Ukrainian defense forces, and the Russian \u200beconomy is creaking under the weight \u2060of \u200bsanctions and \u200bof warfare \u2014\u00a0more \u200bthan we \u200cmay sometimes surmise from our own \u200bmedia \u2060coverage here,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76053378\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76053378_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Voters queuing up to vote in a polling station in Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin in 2021\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Ninety-eight percent of respondents to the &#8216;Germany Monitor 2025&#8217; survey said they support democracy<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Hauke-christian Dittrich\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Democracy is indispensable, according to most respondents to the new &#8220;Germany Monitor 2025&#8221; survey.<\/p>\n<p>However, many say it is functioning less well than in the past, and rapid change is causing great uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germans-approve-of-democracy-but-say-it-doesnt-work-well\/a-76058634\">DW&#8217;s full report on what Germans think about democracy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Democracy is indispensable, according to most respondents to the new &#8220;Germany Monitor 2025&#8221; survey.<\/p>\n<p>However, many say it is functioning less well than in the past, and rapid change is causing great uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germans-approve-of-democracy-but-say-it-doesnt-work-well\/a-76058634\">DW&#8217;s full report on what Germans think about democracy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76085270\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76085270_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks to reporters in Brussels\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Wadephul made the remarks as the EU&#8217;s 27 foreign ministers gathering in Brussels<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Virginia Mayo\/AP\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/johann-wadephul\/t-72493606\">German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul<\/a> said he was &#8220;astonished by the Hungarian position&#8221; after <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hungary-threatens-veto-of-90-billion-eu-loan-to-ukraine\/a-76067806\">Budapest vowed to block<\/a> new EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I do not believe \u200cit is right for \u200cHungary \u200bto betray its own struggle for freedom and \u200bEuropean sovereignty,&#8221; Wadephul said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That is why we \u2060will \u200bonce \u200bagain present our arguments \u200bto the Hungarians \u200cin Budapest, but also here \u200bin \u2060Brussels, of course, and ask \u2060them \u200bto reconsider their position,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/orban-says-eu-bigger-threat-to-hungary-than-russia\/a-75974022\">Hungary is stalling the 20th EU sanction package<\/a> as it\u00a0seeks\u00a0to pressure Ukraine to reopen a key oil pipeline. EU sanctions must\u00a0be approved by all 27 countries in the bloc.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia through Ukraine and onward to EU countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, was damaged by a Russian attack in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/johann-wadephul\/t-72493606\">German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul<\/a> said he was &#8220;astonished by the Hungarian position&#8221; after <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hungary-threatens-veto-of-90-billion-eu-loan-to-ukraine\/a-76067806\">Budapest vowed to block<\/a> new EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I do not believe \u200cit is right for \u200cHungary \u200bto betray its own struggle for freedom and \u200bEuropean sovereignty,&#8221; Wadephul said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That is why we \u2060will \u200bonce \u200bagain present our arguments \u200bto the Hungarians \u200cin Budapest, but also here \u200bin \u2060Brussels, of course, and ask \u2060them \u200bto reconsider their position,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/orban-says-eu-bigger-threat-to-hungary-than-russia\/a-75974022\">Hungary is stalling the 20th EU sanction package<\/a> as it\u00a0seeks\u00a0to pressure Ukraine to reopen a key oil pipeline. EU sanctions must\u00a0be approved by all 27 countries in the bloc.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia through Ukraine and onward to EU countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, was damaged by a Russian attack in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-economy\/t-19112011\">Germany exported\u00a0machinery and equipment<\/a> worth a total of \u20ac198.5 billion ($234 billion) in 2025, declining by\u00a01.8%\u00a0compared with 2024, according to\u00a0the VDMA industry association<\/p>\n<p>The decline, which looks\u00a0even sharper at 3.3% when adjusted for inflation,\u00a0marks the third consecutive year of contraction.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in exports came amid a trade dispute with the US\u00a0and weak business in China, the VDMA said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;US tariffs, increasing protectionism, and the associated uncertainty on the world markets are hitting the export-oriented mechanical and plant engineering sector hard &#8211; and they pose major challenges for companies,&#8221; VDMA chief economist Johannes Gernandt said.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0association expects that exports to China will\u00a0continue to decline, while high US tariffs on the steel and aluminum content of machinery weigh\u00a0on business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-economy\/t-19112011\">Germany exported\u00a0machinery and equipment<\/a> worth a total of \u20ac198.5 billion ($234 billion) in 2025, declining by\u00a01.8%\u00a0compared with 2024, according to\u00a0the VDMA industry association<\/p>\n<p>The decline, which looks\u00a0even sharper at 3.3% when adjusted for inflation,\u00a0marks the third consecutive year of contraction.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in exports came amid a trade dispute with the US\u00a0and weak business in China, the VDMA said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;US tariffs, increasing protectionism, and the associated uncertainty on the world markets are hitting the export-oriented mechanical and plant engineering sector hard &#8211; and they pose major challenges for companies,&#8221; VDMA chief economist Johannes Gernandt said.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0association expects that exports to China will\u00a0continue to decline, while high US tariffs on the steel and aluminum content of machinery weigh\u00a0on business.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>A proposal by the center-right <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/christian-democratic-union-cdu\/t-17351950\">Christian Democratic Union (CDU)<\/a> to end sick notes issued\u00a0via telephone is facing opposition from the party&#8217;s coalition partner, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/social-democratic-party-spd\/t-17437818\">the Social Democrats (SPD)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Dirk Wiese,\u00a0SPD parliamentary secretary, said telephone-issued sick notes &#8220;make perfect sense.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They relieve the burden on doctors&#8217; offices and prevent further infections in waiting rooms,&#8221; Wiese told daily tabloid\u00a0<em>Bild\u00a0<\/em>on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He said the government should instead focus on taking action against the &#8220;abuse of online sick notes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As a coalition, we should now focus on this instead of questioning sensible rules and placing patients under general suspicion,&#8221;\u00a0he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Under current rules, patients who are already known to a practice and show only mild symptoms can receive a sick note by phone for up to five days. For any extension, they must see a doctor in person.<\/p>\n<p>CDU delegates at the\u00a0party&#8217;s convention over the weekend backed the proposal against tele sick notes. They argued that the easier it is to obtain a sick note, the more likely people are to make what they call a &#8220;bedside\u00a0decision,&#8221;\u00a0choosing to call in sick without much hesitation.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/merz-cdu-party-congress-germany-deutschland\/live-76052837\">CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> has previously\u00a0criticized what he considers a high level of sick leave in Germany.<\/p>\n<p>Health Minister Nina Warken, also from the CDU, now says the regulation will be reviewed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Lazy Germany: Is more work the way back to the top?\" class=\"headline\">Lazy Germany: Is more work the way back to the top?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-75931380\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"75931380\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75930528_605.webp\" data-duration=\"26:04\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/que\/que260212_Gesamt_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A proposal by the center-right <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/christian-democratic-union-cdu\/t-17351950\">Christian Democratic Union (CDU)<\/a> to end sick notes issued\u00a0via telephone is facing opposition from the party&#8217;s coalition partner, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/social-democratic-party-spd\/t-17437818\">the Social Democrats (SPD)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Dirk Wiese,\u00a0SPD parliamentary secretary, said telephone-issued sick notes &#8220;make perfect sense.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They relieve the burden on doctors&#8217; offices and prevent further infections in waiting rooms,&#8221; Wiese told daily tabloid\u00a0<em>Bild\u00a0<\/em>on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He said the government should instead focus on taking action against the &#8220;abuse of online sick notes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As a coalition, we should now focus on this instead of questioning sensible rules and placing patients under general suspicion,&#8221;\u00a0he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Under current rules, patients who are already known to a practice and show only mild symptoms can receive a sick note by phone for up to five days. For any extension, they must see a doctor in person.<\/p>\n<p>CDU delegates at the\u00a0party&#8217;s convention over the weekend backed the proposal against tele sick notes. They argued that the easier it is to obtain a sick note, the more likely people are to make what they call a &#8220;bedside\u00a0decision,&#8221;\u00a0choosing to call in sick without much hesitation.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/merz-cdu-party-congress-germany-deutschland\/live-76052837\">CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a> has previously\u00a0criticized what he considers a high level of sick leave in Germany.<\/p>\n<p>Health Minister Nina Warken, also from the CDU, now says the regulation will be reviewed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><em>Moin <\/em>from Bonn, where a blue sky is slowly coming out from under the clouds after showers over the weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;re watching reactions come out from political parties after the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/christian-democratic-union-cdu\/t-17351950\">CDU<\/a> convention wrapped up on Saturday with some unpopular proposals, including an end to telephone-issued sick notes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another big topic today is <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/trump-tariffs-eu-grapples-with-fallout-of-us-court-ruling\/a-76070061\">the US tariffs<\/a> and their effects on Germany and Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Also on Monday, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/frank-walter-steinmeier\/t-17345761\">German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier<\/a> is hosting Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador at the\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">Bellevue Palace.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Moin <\/em>from Bonn, where a blue sky is slowly coming out from under the clouds after showers over the weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;re watching reactions come out from political parties after the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/christian-democratic-union-cdu\/t-17351950\">CDU<\/a> convention wrapped up on Saturday with some unpopular proposals, including an end to telephone-issued sick notes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another big topic today is <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/trump-tariffs-eu-grapples-with-fallout-of-us-court-ruling\/a-76070061\">the US tariffs<\/a> and their effects on Germany and Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Also on Monday, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/frank-walter-steinmeier\/t-17345761\">German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier<\/a> is hosting Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador at the\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">Bellevue Palace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-cdu-faces-opposition-over-sick-notes-proposal\/live-76083150&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76058441_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59Eha Merz has criticized the average of 14.5 sick days taken by employees in GermanyImage: Thilo Schmuelgen\/REUTERS Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know The center-left Social Democrats are opposing a proposal by their coalition partner, the center-right CDU, to scrap telephone sick notes\u00a0 A new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1788009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1788009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1788009"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1788009\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1788009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1788009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1788009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}