{"id":1869455,"date":"2026-04-07T08:24:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1869455"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:24:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:24:58","slug":"shock-over-gas-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1869455","title":{"rendered":"Shock over gas prices"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76685321_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\/5Bkwc<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76685321_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76685321_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76685321_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76685321_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">The idea of decriminalizing fare evasion in Germany has been mulled for some time (FILE: June, 2106)<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Daniel Reinhardt\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/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-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#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>German Justice Minister\u00a0Stefanie Hubig has said there are good reasons to decriminalize public transport fare evasion<\/li>\n<li>While a leading lawyer&#8217;s group supports the idea, there is pushback from a top police union<\/li>\n<li>The Iran\u00a0war is starting to hurt German industry, with a large majority of firms saying they are affected<\/li>\n<li>Germany&#8217;s top union leader has hit out at the ruling coalition&#8217;s call for longer working hours and higher pension ages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the headlines from and about <\/em><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany\/t-17871182\">Germany<\/a><em>\u00a0on Tuesday, April 7, 2026:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76688076\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76688076\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Sibling age gap in Germany narrows slightly<\/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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Sibling age gap in Germany narrows slightly<\/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>The age gap between a mother&#8217;s first and second child in Germany has slightly narrowed over the past decade.<\/p>\n<p>Federal Statistical Office figures show the average gap was 3.1 years in 2024, down from 3.3 years in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>The interval widens with additional children, reaching 3.8 years between a second and third child and 3.6 years between a third and fourth. Compared with 2014, these figures have remained largely stable, with only a slight increase between second and third children.<\/p>\n<p>Regional differences remain pronounced. In eastern Germany, excluding Berlin, the gap between first and second children averages 3.8 years, compared with 3.0 years in western regions. For a third child, the interval rises to 4.4 years in the east versus 3.7 years in the west.<\/p>\n<p>Mothers in eastern Germany are also younger at first birth, averaging 29.2 years, compared with 30.5 years in western Germany.<\/p>\n<p>The statistics \u2014 published ahead of World <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/sibling-love-and-rivalry-in-the-arts\/a-63848169\">Siblings<\/a> Day on Friday \u2014 are based on live births among women aged 15 to 49, calculated using the age-year method, according to the federal office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Bm4S<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76687247\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76687247\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Italy detains German Sea-Watch ship after rescue mission<\/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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Italy detains German Sea-Watch ship after rescue mission<\/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>Italian authorities have detained a rescue vessel operated by Germany-based NGO Sea-Watch after it brought dozens of migrants to safety.<\/p>\n<p>The group said Tuesday its ship &#8220;Aurora&#8221; was held following the rescue of 44 people from an abandoned oil platform in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<p>The crew had taken the rescued individuals to Lampedusa after they spent days stranded at sea. Authorities then ordered the vessel\u2019s detention under the so-called Piantedosi decree, accusing Sea-Watch of failing to inform Libyan officials about the operation. The organization also faces a fine ranging from \u20ac2,000 to \u20ac10,000 ($2,315 to $11,572).<\/p>\n<p>The Mediterranean remains <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/mediterranean-migrants-refugee-boat-capsize-drowned-missing-sea-watch\/a-76674357\">one of the world&#8217;s\u00a0deadliest migration routes<\/a>, with many attempting the crossing from North Africa in unseaworthy boats. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 900 people have been reported dead or missing so far this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Blr5<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76686271\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76686271\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Fan dies after medical emergency at Bundesliga match<\/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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Fan dies after medical emergency at Bundesliga match<\/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 spectator has died after a medical emergency during the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/bundesliga\/t-17282633\">Bundesliga<\/a> match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Cologne.<\/p>\n<p>The club on Tuesday said the 87-year-old man suffered cardiac arrest during the game, was initially resuscitated at the scene, but later died in hospital on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Eintracht said the supporter had been a long-time member and season ticket holder, adding &#8220;the Eintracht family is deeply saddened.&#8221; The incident occurred in the second half of the 2-2 draw, with emergency crews treating the man in the stands before taking him to hospital\u00a0in a\u00a0critical condition.<\/p>\n<p>Fans from both sides paused their support for several minutes during the response. Cheering resumed only after the spectator had been taken out of the stadium.<\/p>\n<p>The club expressed condolences to the man&#8217;s family and thanked emergency responders as well as supporters for what it described as their &#8220;sensitive awareness&#8221; during the incident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5BlbL<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76684940\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76684940\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Iran war hits German industry, survey shows<\/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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Iran war hits German industry, survey shows<\/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 industry has been reporting widespread <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/after-the-iran-war-how-fast-could-global-trade-recover\/a-76526954\">disruption from the Iran war<\/a>, with nine in ten companies affected.<\/p>\n<p>A survey by the Ifo Institute found only 9% of firms said they were not currently impacted.<\/p>\n<p>Survey chief Klaus Wohlrabe said the conflict was hitting industry directly and creating significant uncertainty, adding many companies were bracing for further strain in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>Higher energy prices were cited by 78% of firms as the main factor. About 36% pointed to shipping disruptions and supply bottlenecks for raw materials and intermediate goods, while 16% flagged risks to air freight. Around a quarter expected weakening demand in key export markets.<\/p>\n<p>Companies have also highlighted financial risks, including volatile freight and logistics costs, rising insurance premiums, and higher payment risks.<\/p>\n<p>The conflict, now lasting more than four weeks, has already weighed on business sentiment. The Ifo business climate index fell by 2.0 points in March to 86.4 \u2014 its lowest level since February 2025.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The war in Iran has put an end to hopes for an upswing for the time being,&#8221; said Ifo President Clemens Fuest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Shock over gas prices\" class=\"headline\">Shock over gas prices<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76560113\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76560113\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76588684_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:36\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/BUSI\/BUSIENG260330_CMS_QWI_GASPREISSCHOCK_01SMW_,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\/5BlFs<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76684722\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76684722\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Union leader rebukes Klingbeil on work and pensions<\/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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Union leader rebukes Klingbeil on work and pensions<\/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>Germany&#8217;s top union leader has criticized <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-vice-chancellor-visits-china-in-difficult-times\/a-74751588\">Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil<\/a> over his stance on pensions and <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cdu-merz-target-lifestyle-part-time-work-in-germany\/a-75695779\">working hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) chair Yasmin Fahimi told the <em>Tagesspiegel <\/em>newspaper that the center-left Social Democrat (SPD)\u00a0Klingbeil&#8217;s call to stop encouraging early retirement was &#8220;wrong&#8221;\u00a0and rejected proposals to push longer working lives.<\/p>\n<p>Fahimi said people who want to work longer can already do so, but many lack the opportunity. Older unemployed workers in particular often struggle to find stable jobs, she added, arguing that higher employment rates are due to improved labor policies rather than the retirement age increase.<\/p>\n<p>She also dismissed Klingbeil&#8217;s\u00a0claim that society must work more overall, saying Germany does not have a shortage of labor volume. She pointed to industrial workers on reduced hours and job losses in the sector as evidence.<\/p>\n<p>In full-time jobs in Germany, &#8220;no less work is done than in other European countries,&#8221; said Fahimi. Germany has a disproportionately high part-time employment rate, which is &#8220;a cause for celebration, not complaint,&#8221; because it has significantly increased the female employment rate.<\/p>\n<p>She also rejected a proposal by Bavarian conservative state premier Markus S\u00f6der to add an extra working hour per week.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These are technocratic number games that are out of touch with reality,&#8221;\u00a0she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This political meddling in collective bargaining negotiations is an attempt to weaken the compromises on distribution that are made within them,&#8221; Fahimi said. &#8220;I will not tolerate this.&#8221; <\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 How Indian students end up exploited in Germany\" class=\"headline\">How Indian students end up exploited in Germany<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-75872503\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"75872503\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/71040593_605.webp\" data-duration=\"17:11\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/BUSI\/BUSIENG260209_QWIBBFoodDeliveryCMS_01SMW_,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\/5BlCM<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76685063\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76685063\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Germany debates decriminalizing fare evasion<\/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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Germany debates decriminalizing fare evasion<\/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>Germany&#8217;s justice minister has questioned whether fare evasion should remain a criminal offense.<\/p>\n<p>Stefanie Hubig said there are strong arguments for decriminalization, citing the strain such cases place on the justice system.<\/p>\n<p>The center-left <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/social-democratic-party-spd\/t-17437818\">Social Democrat (SPD)<\/a> politician told the <em>Neue Osnabr\u00fccker Zeitung<\/em>\u00a0newspaper that people who cannot afford tickets and end up jailed through substitute custodial sentences may not belong in prison. She said a modern criminal law requires reassessing whether fare evasion should be punishable.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the D\u00fcsseldorf-based <em>Rheinische Post<\/em> newspaper, the Federal Police head for the German Police Union (GdP) Andreas Rosskopf disagreed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Obtaining services by deception must remain a criminal offense,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, he added, traveling without a ticket would become a minor offense and highly commonplace. &#8220;We run the risk that many people simply won&#8217;t care whether they have a ticket or not,&#8221; Rosskopf said.<\/p>\n<p>The German Bar Association has supported reform, calling current rules socially counterproductive. Its spokesperson Swen Walentowski said prosecutions and prison terms for fare evasion cost taxpayers about \u20ac200 million\u00a0($231 million) annually, disproportionately affecting those unable to afford tickets.<\/p>\n<p>In most German cities, you do not need to swipe or scan a ticket to enter a train, tram, or bus. Compliance is enforced by sporadic checks from conductors. Despite this lax approach, the government estimates that only between 3-4% of trips are being undertaken by fare dodgers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Violence on duty: Public workers increasingly in harm's way\" class=\"headline\">Violence on duty: Public workers increasingly in harm&#8217;s way<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76616754\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76616754\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76617367_605.webp\" data-duration=\"12:20\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260401_FocusViolenceOnDuty_YT_ENG_07SMW_,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\/5BlHr<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76683796\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746#post-liveblog-post-76683796\" 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\">04\/07\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">April 7, 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=\"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>Guten Tag<\/em> from DW&#8217;s\u00a0newsroom here in Bonn.<\/p>\n<p>You join us as the debate is raised about whether public transport fare evasion here in Germany should remain a criminal offense.<\/p>\n<p>There are growing calls for fare-dodging to be decriminalized amid strains on the justice system, although police say this would set the wrong tone.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, many companies in Germany are starting to notice the mounting economic burden of war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Stay with us for today&#8217;s latest news from Germany.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5BkxQ<\/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>German Justice Minister\u00a0Stefanie Hubig has said there are good reasons to decriminalize public transport fare evasion<\/li>\n<li>While a leading lawyer&#8217;s group supports the idea, there is pushback from a top police union<\/li>\n<li>The Iran\u00a0war is starting to hurt German industry, with a large majority of firms saying they are affected<\/li>\n<li>Germany&#8217;s top union leader has hit out at the ruling coalition&#8217;s call for longer working hours and higher pension ages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the headlines from and about <\/em><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany\/t-17871182\">Germany<\/a><em>\u00a0on Tuesday, April 7, 2026:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Here are the headlines from and about <\/em><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany\/t-17871182\">Germany<\/a><em>\u00a0on Tuesday, April 7, 2026:<\/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>The age gap between a mother&#8217;s first and second child in Germany has slightly narrowed over the past decade.<\/p>\n<p>Federal Statistical Office figures show the average gap was 3.1 years in 2024, down from 3.3 years in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>The interval widens with additional children, reaching 3.8 years between a second and third child and 3.6 years between a third and fourth. Compared with 2014, these figures have remained largely stable, with only a slight increase between second and third children.<\/p>\n<p>Regional differences remain pronounced. In eastern Germany, excluding Berlin, the gap between first and second children averages 3.8 years, compared with 3.0 years in western regions. For a third child, the interval rises to 4.4 years in the east versus 3.7 years in the west.<\/p>\n<p>Mothers in eastern Germany are also younger at first birth, averaging 29.2 years, compared with 30.5 years in western Germany.<\/p>\n<p>The statistics \u2014 published ahead of World <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/sibling-love-and-rivalry-in-the-arts\/a-63848169\">Siblings<\/a> Day on Friday \u2014 are based on live births among women aged 15 to 49, calculated using the age-year method, according to the federal office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The age gap between a mother&#8217;s first and second child in Germany has slightly narrowed over the past decade.<\/p>\n<p>Federal Statistical Office figures show the average gap was 3.1 years in 2024, down from 3.3 years in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>The interval widens with additional children, reaching 3.8 years between a second and third child and 3.6 years between a third and fourth. Compared with 2014, these figures have remained largely stable, with only a slight increase between second and third children.<\/p>\n<p>Regional differences remain pronounced. In eastern Germany, excluding Berlin, the gap between first and second children averages 3.8 years, compared with 3.0 years in western regions. For a third child, the interval rises to 4.4 years in the east versus 3.7 years in the west.<\/p>\n<p>Mothers in eastern Germany are also younger at first birth, averaging 29.2 years, compared with 30.5 years in western Germany.<\/p>\n<p>The statistics \u2014 published ahead of World <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/sibling-love-and-rivalry-in-the-arts\/a-63848169\">Siblings<\/a> Day on Friday \u2014 are based on live births among women aged 15 to 49, calculated using the age-year method, according to the federal office.<\/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>Italian authorities have detained a rescue vessel operated by Germany-based NGO Sea-Watch after it brought dozens of migrants to safety.<\/p>\n<p>The group said Tuesday its ship &#8220;Aurora&#8221; was held following the rescue of 44 people from an abandoned oil platform in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<p>The crew had taken the rescued individuals to Lampedusa after they spent days stranded at sea. Authorities then ordered the vessel\u2019s detention under the so-called Piantedosi decree, accusing Sea-Watch of failing to inform Libyan officials about the operation. The organization also faces a fine ranging from \u20ac2,000 to \u20ac10,000 ($2,315 to $11,572).<\/p>\n<p>The Mediterranean remains <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/mediterranean-migrants-refugee-boat-capsize-drowned-missing-sea-watch\/a-76674357\">one of the world&#8217;s\u00a0deadliest migration routes<\/a>, with many attempting the crossing from North Africa in unseaworthy boats. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 900 people have been reported dead or missing so far this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Italian authorities have detained a rescue vessel operated by Germany-based NGO Sea-Watch after it brought dozens of migrants to safety.<\/p>\n<p>The group said Tuesday its ship &#8220;Aurora&#8221; was held following the rescue of 44 people from an abandoned oil platform in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<p>The crew had taken the rescued individuals to Lampedusa after they spent days stranded at sea. Authorities then ordered the vessel\u2019s detention under the so-called Piantedosi decree, accusing Sea-Watch of failing to inform Libyan officials about the operation. The organization also faces a fine ranging from \u20ac2,000 to \u20ac10,000 ($2,315 to $11,572).<\/p>\n<p>The Mediterranean remains <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/mediterranean-migrants-refugee-boat-capsize-drowned-missing-sea-watch\/a-76674357\">one of the world&#8217;s\u00a0deadliest migration routes<\/a>, with many attempting the crossing from North Africa in unseaworthy boats. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 900 people have been reported dead or missing so far this year.<\/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 spectator has died after a medical emergency during the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/bundesliga\/t-17282633\">Bundesliga<\/a> match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Cologne.<\/p>\n<p>The club on Tuesday said the 87-year-old man suffered cardiac arrest during the game, was initially resuscitated at the scene, but later died in hospital on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Eintracht said the supporter had been a long-time member and season ticket holder, adding &#8220;the Eintracht family is deeply saddened.&#8221; The incident occurred in the second half of the 2-2 draw, with emergency crews treating the man in the stands before taking him to hospital\u00a0in a\u00a0critical condition.<\/p>\n<p>Fans from both sides paused their support for several minutes during the response. Cheering resumed only after the spectator had been taken out of the stadium.<\/p>\n<p>The club expressed condolences to the man&#8217;s family and thanked emergency responders as well as supporters for what it described as their &#8220;sensitive awareness&#8221; during the incident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A spectator has died after a medical emergency during the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/bundesliga\/t-17282633\">Bundesliga<\/a> match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Cologne.<\/p>\n<p>The club on Tuesday said the 87-year-old man suffered cardiac arrest during the game, was initially resuscitated at the scene, but later died in hospital on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Eintracht said the supporter had been a long-time member and season ticket holder, adding &#8220;the Eintracht family is deeply saddened.&#8221; The incident occurred in the second half of the 2-2 draw, with emergency crews treating the man in the stands before taking him to hospital\u00a0in a\u00a0critical condition.<\/p>\n<p>Fans from both sides paused their support for several minutes during the response. Cheering resumed only after the spectator had been taken out of the stadium.<\/p>\n<p>The club expressed condolences to the man&#8217;s family and thanked emergency responders as well as supporters for what it described as their &#8220;sensitive awareness&#8221; during the incident.<\/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 industry has been reporting widespread <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/after-the-iran-war-how-fast-could-global-trade-recover\/a-76526954\">disruption from the Iran war<\/a>, with nine in ten companies affected.<\/p>\n<p>A survey by the Ifo Institute found only 9% of firms said they were not currently impacted.<\/p>\n<p>Survey chief Klaus Wohlrabe said the conflict was hitting industry directly and creating significant uncertainty, adding many companies were bracing for further strain in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>Higher energy prices were cited by 78% of firms as the main factor. About 36% pointed to shipping disruptions and supply bottlenecks for raw materials and intermediate goods, while 16% flagged risks to air freight. Around a quarter expected weakening demand in key export markets.<\/p>\n<p>Companies have also highlighted financial risks, including volatile freight and logistics costs, rising insurance premiums, and higher payment risks.<\/p>\n<p>The conflict, now lasting more than four weeks, has already weighed on business sentiment. The Ifo business climate index fell by 2.0 points in March to 86.4 \u2014 its lowest level since February 2025.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The war in Iran has put an end to hopes for an upswing for the time being,&#8221; said Ifo President Clemens Fuest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Shock over gas prices\" class=\"headline\">Shock over gas prices<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76560113\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76560113\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76588684_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:36\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/BUSI\/BUSIENG260330_CMS_QWI_GASPREISSCHOCK_01SMW_,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 industry has been reporting widespread <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/after-the-iran-war-how-fast-could-global-trade-recover\/a-76526954\">disruption from the Iran war<\/a>, with nine in ten companies affected.<\/p>\n<p>A survey by the Ifo Institute found only 9% of firms said they were not currently impacted.<\/p>\n<p>Survey chief Klaus Wohlrabe said the conflict was hitting industry directly and creating significant uncertainty, adding many companies were bracing for further strain in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>Higher energy prices were cited by 78% of firms as the main factor. About 36% pointed to shipping disruptions and supply bottlenecks for raw materials and intermediate goods, while 16% flagged risks to air freight. Around a quarter expected weakening demand in key export markets.<\/p>\n<p>Companies have also highlighted financial risks, including volatile freight and logistics costs, rising insurance premiums, and higher payment risks.<\/p>\n<p>The conflict, now lasting more than four weeks, has already weighed on business sentiment. The Ifo business climate index fell by 2.0 points in March to 86.4 \u2014 its lowest level since February 2025.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The war in Iran has put an end to hopes for an upswing for the time being,&#8221; said Ifo President Clemens Fuest.<\/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>Germany&#8217;s top union leader has criticized <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-vice-chancellor-visits-china-in-difficult-times\/a-74751588\">Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil<\/a> over his stance on pensions and <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cdu-merz-target-lifestyle-part-time-work-in-germany\/a-75695779\">working hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) chair Yasmin Fahimi told the <em>Tagesspiegel <\/em>newspaper that the center-left Social Democrat (SPD)\u00a0Klingbeil&#8217;s call to stop encouraging early retirement was &#8220;wrong&#8221;\u00a0and rejected proposals to push longer working lives.<\/p>\n<p>Fahimi said people who want to work longer can already do so, but many lack the opportunity. Older unemployed workers in particular often struggle to find stable jobs, she added, arguing that higher employment rates are due to improved labor policies rather than the retirement age increase.<\/p>\n<p>She also dismissed Klingbeil&#8217;s\u00a0claim that society must work more overall, saying Germany does not have a shortage of labor volume. She pointed to industrial workers on reduced hours and job losses in the sector as evidence.<\/p>\n<p>In full-time jobs in Germany, &#8220;no less work is done than in other European countries,&#8221; said Fahimi. Germany has a disproportionately high part-time employment rate, which is &#8220;a cause for celebration, not complaint,&#8221; because it has significantly increased the female employment rate.<\/p>\n<p>She also rejected a proposal by Bavarian conservative state premier Markus S\u00f6der to add an extra working hour per week.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These are technocratic number games that are out of touch with reality,&#8221;\u00a0she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This political meddling in collective bargaining negotiations is an attempt to weaken the compromises on distribution that are made within them,&#8221; Fahimi said. &#8220;I will not tolerate this.&#8221; <\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 How Indian students end up exploited in Germany\" class=\"headline\">How Indian students end up exploited in Germany<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-75872503\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"75872503\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/71040593_605.webp\" data-duration=\"17:11\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/BUSI\/BUSIENG260209_QWIBBFoodDeliveryCMS_01SMW_,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>Germany&#8217;s top union leader has criticized <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-vice-chancellor-visits-china-in-difficult-times\/a-74751588\">Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil<\/a> over his stance on pensions and <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cdu-merz-target-lifestyle-part-time-work-in-germany\/a-75695779\">working hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) chair Yasmin Fahimi told the <em>Tagesspiegel <\/em>newspaper that the center-left Social Democrat (SPD)\u00a0Klingbeil&#8217;s call to stop encouraging early retirement was &#8220;wrong&#8221;\u00a0and rejected proposals to push longer working lives.<\/p>\n<p>Fahimi said people who want to work longer can already do so, but many lack the opportunity. Older unemployed workers in particular often struggle to find stable jobs, she added, arguing that higher employment rates are due to improved labor policies rather than the retirement age increase.<\/p>\n<p>She also dismissed Klingbeil&#8217;s\u00a0claim that society must work more overall, saying Germany does not have a shortage of labor volume. She pointed to industrial workers on reduced hours and job losses in the sector as evidence.<\/p>\n<p>In full-time jobs in Germany, &#8220;no less work is done than in other European countries,&#8221; said Fahimi. Germany has a disproportionately high part-time employment rate, which is &#8220;a cause for celebration, not complaint,&#8221; because it has significantly increased the female employment rate.<\/p>\n<p>She also rejected a proposal by Bavarian conservative state premier Markus S\u00f6der to add an extra working hour per week.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These are technocratic number games that are out of touch with reality,&#8221;\u00a0she said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This political meddling in collective bargaining negotiations is an attempt to weaken the compromises on distribution that are made within them,&#8221; Fahimi said. &#8220;I will not tolerate this.&#8221; <\/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>Germany&#8217;s justice minister has questioned whether fare evasion should remain a criminal offense.<\/p>\n<p>Stefanie Hubig said there are strong arguments for decriminalization, citing the strain such cases place on the justice system.<\/p>\n<p>The center-left <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/social-democratic-party-spd\/t-17437818\">Social Democrat (SPD)<\/a> politician told the <em>Neue Osnabr\u00fccker Zeitung<\/em>\u00a0newspaper that people who cannot afford tickets and end up jailed through substitute custodial sentences may not belong in prison. She said a modern criminal law requires reassessing whether fare evasion should be punishable.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the D\u00fcsseldorf-based <em>Rheinische Post<\/em> newspaper, the Federal Police head for the German Police Union (GdP) Andreas Rosskopf disagreed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Obtaining services by deception must remain a criminal offense,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, he added, traveling without a ticket would become a minor offense and highly commonplace. &#8220;We run the risk that many people simply won&#8217;t care whether they have a ticket or not,&#8221; Rosskopf said.<\/p>\n<p>The German Bar Association has supported reform, calling current rules socially counterproductive. Its spokesperson Swen Walentowski said prosecutions and prison terms for fare evasion cost taxpayers about \u20ac200 million\u00a0($231 million) annually, disproportionately affecting those unable to afford tickets.<\/p>\n<p>In most German cities, you do not need to swipe or scan a ticket to enter a train, tram, or bus. Compliance is enforced by sporadic checks from conductors. Despite this lax approach, the government estimates that only between 3-4% of trips are being undertaken by fare dodgers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Violence on duty: Public workers increasingly in harm's way\" class=\"headline\">Violence on duty: Public workers increasingly in harm&#8217;s way<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76616754\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76616754\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76617367_605.webp\" data-duration=\"12:20\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260401_FocusViolenceOnDuty_YT_ENG_07SMW_,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>Germany&#8217;s justice minister has questioned whether fare evasion should remain a criminal offense.<\/p>\n<p>Stefanie Hubig said there are strong arguments for decriminalization, citing the strain such cases place on the justice system.<\/p>\n<p>The center-left <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/social-democratic-party-spd\/t-17437818\">Social Democrat (SPD)<\/a> politician told the <em>Neue Osnabr\u00fccker Zeitung<\/em>\u00a0newspaper that people who cannot afford tickets and end up jailed through substitute custodial sentences may not belong in prison. She said a modern criminal law requires reassessing whether fare evasion should be punishable.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the D\u00fcsseldorf-based <em>Rheinische Post<\/em> newspaper, the Federal Police head for the German Police Union (GdP) Andreas Rosskopf disagreed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Obtaining services by deception must remain a criminal offense,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, he added, traveling without a ticket would become a minor offense and highly commonplace. &#8220;We run the risk that many people simply won&#8217;t care whether they have a ticket or not,&#8221; Rosskopf said.<\/p>\n<p>The German Bar Association has supported reform, calling current rules socially counterproductive. Its spokesperson Swen Walentowski said prosecutions and prison terms for fare evasion cost taxpayers about \u20ac200 million\u00a0($231 million) annually, disproportionately affecting those unable to afford tickets.<\/p>\n<p>In most German cities, you do not need to swipe or scan a ticket to enter a train, tram, or bus. Compliance is enforced by sporadic checks from conductors. Despite this lax approach, the government estimates that only between 3-4% of trips are being undertaken by fare dodgers.<\/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>Guten Tag<\/em> from DW&#8217;s\u00a0newsroom here in Bonn.<\/p>\n<p>You join us as the debate is raised about whether public transport fare evasion here in Germany should remain a criminal offense.<\/p>\n<p>There are growing calls for fare-dodging to be decriminalized amid strains on the justice system, although police say this would set the wrong tone.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, many companies in Germany are starting to notice the mounting economic burden of war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Stay with us for today&#8217;s latest news from Germany.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Guten Tag<\/em> from DW&#8217;s\u00a0newsroom here in Bonn.<\/p>\n<p>You join us as the debate is raised about whether public transport fare evasion here in Germany should remain a criminal offense.<\/p>\n<p>There are growing calls for fare-dodging to be decriminalized amid strains on the justice system, although police say this would set the wrong tone.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, many companies in Germany are starting to notice the mounting economic burden of war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Stay with us for today&#8217;s latest news from Germany.<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-news-minister-floats-fare-dodging-decriminalization\/live-76683746&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76685321_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Bkwc The idea of decriminalizing fare evasion in Germany has been mulled for some time (FILE: June, 2106)Image: Daniel Reinhardt\/dpa\/picture alliance Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know German Justice Minister\u00a0Stefanie Hubig has said there are good reasons to decriminalize public transport fare evasion While a [&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-1869455","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\/1869455","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=1869455"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869455\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1869455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1869455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1869455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}