The corona pandemic is also dampening public life in Germany. At the level of the European Union, however, there was a conference that ignites the most powerful countries.
- The Coronavirus * aid package is designed to quickly and quickly absorb the economic consequences of the crisis.
- The government and opposition have rarely been so united - however, there is new strife at EU level.
- Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke on a podcast about the possible relaxation of the shutdown.
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus. You can also find current case numbers in Germany as a map. The following recommendations for corona protective measures are currently available.
Update at 4:20 p.m .: Tensions within the EU are growing due to the threat of the corona virus. Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged the states to act quickly together and called for a reconstruction plan for Europe . Emmanuel Macron, French President, made a similar statement, indirectly criticizing the German government. "We will not overcome this crisis without a strong European solidarity on health and budgetary issues," said the French head of state in an interview that appeared in three major Italian newspapers ( Corriere de la Serra, La Stampa and La Repubblica ).
Nine EU countries , including France and Italy, wrote Wednesday to EU Council President Charles Michel calling for a "common debt instrument" to fight the Corona crisis. Germany does not belong to this group : In Germany, people have been fighting against demands for Eurobonds * for the communitization of debts for years.
Corona pandemic: Conte reports “hard confrontation” with Merkel
On Thursday, the heads of state and government discussed in a video conference about the support of financially weak countries in the crisis. Merkel subsequently explained that she had made it clear to her council colleagues that she did not support the creation of so-called corona bonds. For them, the ESM euro rescue fund "is the preferred instrument because it was really created for times of crisis".
Merkel announced a podcast from the home quarantine.
© dpa / Michael Kappeler
According to Conte, the video conference resulted in a "hard and open confrontation" with Angela Merkel . For him, the ESM is not the right tool in the fight against the corona virus . This was developed to help Member States with financial tensions associated with "asymmetrical shocks". The coronavirus pandemic, on the other hand, caused a "symmetrical shock" and "unexpectedly" plunged the EU's economic and social systems into depression.
Giuseppe Conte warned that "the entire European structure" could "lose its right to exist" if the EU makes wrong decisions. He called on the EU to take immediate action so that future generations would not have to bear the "immense costs of a destroyed economy".
"We want to be up to this challenge? Then let us put in place a large-scale plan, a 'European Recovery and Reinvestment Plan' that supports and revives the entire European economy," said Conte, referring to the US Marshall Plan after the Second World War.
Corona crisis: ex-EU commission chief paints grim scenario
Emmanuel Macron also stressed that the EU must act together to shoulder the costs of the corona crisis in the context of the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus . This could be done through a "common debt instrument" or an increase in the EU budget to support the worst affected countries. The sum is "secondary", it is important to make a statement. Despite the "reluctance" of Germany and other countries, "we must continue this struggle," said Macron.
We have to finally decide what we want. Take the next step or Europe is further apart. I've been freaking out for a long time, but I'm for the next step. So Eurobonds. In the end, it doesn't matter how we carry the debt.
- Melolontha (@ Melolontha12) March 28, 2020Former EU Commission President Jacques Delors also warned of the effects of the crisis on the European community. "The climate that seems to exist between the heads of state and government and the lack of European solidarity pose a deadly threat to the European Union ," said the Frenchman on Saturday. He headed the fortunes of the EU Commission from 1985 to 1995.
Corona crisis: criticism of possible interference with fundamental rights
Update at 12.53 p.m .: While Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the Germans from her home quarantine to be patient during the corona shutdown , the Federal Government continues to discuss the evaluation of cell phone data to identify people infected with Corona and their contacts. Federal data protection officer Ulrich Kelber has now warned against access to cell phone data. When combating the pandemic, " fundamental rights should not be thrown out of hand, " reasoned Kelber, explaining his attitude towards the newspapers of the Funke media group .
He also said that the infrastructure for collecting mobile data in Germany is “far too imprecise” to allow conclusions to be drawn about the whereabouts of infected people or their contact persons. "If a project is unsuitable, you no longer have to talk about possible encroachments on fundamental rights," emphasized Kelber.
Instead, the data protection officer recommended "voluntary measures" in order to be able to remove the contact blocks as soon as possible. For example, an app in Singapore would record on the user's device where it is currently located. Technologies such as Bluetooth can be used to determine how close you can get to other users of the app. "And if you find that you have become infected, you can share your movement profile and inform contacts, " said Kelber. Such an app is already being worked on in the vicinity of the Robert Koch Institute .
Corona crisis: politicians discuss the use of cell phone data
Another assessment was made on Saturday by the Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Stephan Mayer (CSU) . He has spoken out in favor of using cell phone data to more effectively combat the spread of the coronavirus. The CSU politician emphasized on Deutschlandfunk that it would make sense if the movement profiles of the contact persons of infected people could be better tracked in this way. This does not mean that data protection needs to be shelved, Mayer dismissed concerns expressed by Kelber. In one, however, he agrees with the data protection officer: Mayer also believes that the use of mobile phone data with the appropriate apps can be done on a voluntary basis.
Update at 10.55 a.m .: Chancellor Angela Merkel announced a podcast from her quarantine . For safety reasons, she would currently stay at home, even though her two corona tests were negative. In the podcast, Merkel explained that she was very aware of "how severe the contact restrictions are that now apply to everyone in Germany". They are therefore impressed by how quickly the Germans “completely changed” their behavior. " Thank you, with all my heart, thank you, " she said to the German population.
Corona crisis: Merkel sends podcast out of quarantine - and calls for patience
A difficult situation like the current one can only be solved together, she said. Slow down the virus is still the main goal. This decides whether our health system can withstand the virus, Merkel emphasized again. Therefore, one must continue to strictly adhere to the corona rules . “No one can say today with a clear conscience that he knows how long this difficult time will last. I have to ask you: be patient . "
The daily numbers of new infections would currently give no reason to relax , "or to relax the rules, " said Merkel. At present, new infections in Germany would double approximately every five and a half days. This is much slower than at the beginning of the corona crisis. The period of doubling, however, must go in the direction of "ten days" in order not to overload the health system , said Merkel. She further emphasized that anyone who obeyed the rules could therefore become a lifesaver. She closed the podcast with the words: “I thank you all for the fact that our country can count on you.
Chancellor #Merkel sends an audio podcast from home quarantine thanks to everyone who shares the severe restrictions in the fight against the #Corona virus. #wirbleibenzuhause #StayHomeSavesLives # Covid19 pic.twitter.com/9t9CCZi1LX
- Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) March 28, 2020Update of March 28, 2020, 8.29 a.m .: In the fight against the corona crisis , French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU to act together. "I don't want a selfish and divided Europe," he said, according to dpa information, in an interview published on Saturday by the three Italian newspapers La Stampa , La Republica and Corriere della Sera. However, one of the discussion points of the EU countries is above all the question of financial crisis aid .
Corona crisis: Germany is against the inclusion of "corona bonds"
While France as well as Italy, Spain and other countries call for joint borrowing , so-called “corona bonds” , Germany , the Netherlands and other EU members are against it . After a video summit by the EU heads of state and government on Thursday evening, Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her rejection of the corona bonds . Macron said in the interview that ten countries had supported the idea of corona bonds at the European Council, so that the countries most affected by the crisis could be helped. According to Macron, some countries such as Germany were cautious. The debate on this should continue in the coming weeks. "We cannot give up this fight," stressed Macron. On Thursday evening, despite hours of discussion, EU politicians were unable to agree on financial aid to the crisis.
Update March 27, 7.45 p.m .: Their relationship has not always been easy - but in the corona crisis, Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump coordinated by phone. But not much came out: The focus of the conversation was the exchange on the effects of the corona pandemic, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Friday evening. Both would have agreed to stay in close contact and use opportunities for cooperation.
And while the corona crisis is demanding politicians worldwide, there has also been sensational news about the influx of refugees on the Turkish-Greek border in recent weeks. The Federal Intelligence Service has now expressed an incredible suspicion against the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Corona crisis: Kramp-Karrenbauer is not in a hurry to clarify her successor
Update March 27, 6.30 p.m .: The outgoing CDU chairwoman Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer sees no need to quickly clarify the question of her successor. When the party congress for the election of the next CDU leader takes place "depends on the situation with regard to Corona", she told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" on Saturday. "You can't anticipate that at the moment, and it is n't important to most people in the country right now."
Regarding her role in the CDU, she said: "I am party leader and will exercise this office with full authority and strength until a successor is elected." The leadership question was originally supposed to be resolved at a party conference on April 25. However, this was canceled due to the Corona crisis.
From today's perspective, she said about her resignation announced in February: "This decision has been made and I stand by it. However, if the Corona situation had been as it is today, I would have waited."
Corona crisis: Schäuble thanks MPs for discipline and gets emotional
Update 9:53 pm: Wolfgang Schäuble, President of the Bundestag, thanked the MPs for their “great discipline” at the end of the plenary session shaped by the Corona crisis on Wednesday. In doing so, the Bundestag had taken its responsibility as a parliament into account in free democracy. It was an "unusual session" in a very unusual location.
Schäuble said goodbye to the MPs: “I wish you and all people in our country, but also beyond, who are affected and threatened by this human challenge, this terrible crisis , all the best for the next few weeks. Stay protected. ”The President of the Bundestag convened the next meeting for April 22 - until then, the Bundestag is regularly in the Easter break.
The G20 countries and the European countries agreed in a summit on the corona crisis. Angela Merkel provides a video statement about the results.
Corona crisis: FDP leader Lindner speaks unusually emotionally about Merkel
Update 4.20 p.m .: Angela Merkel received praise for her crisis policy in the fight against the spread of the corona virus . FDP chairman Christian Lindner thinks the chancellor is doing very well in these times of crisis. "With her authority," she said, many citizens have "significantly restricted their activities."
This praise is very special. Otherwise, Lindner does not skimp on criticism of Merkel. But this time he didn't want to blame the Chancellor for her policies. In her words, she may have " protected many lives ". Lindner had previously stood behind Armin Laschet (CDU). The latter had clashed with the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder and had called for other measures to contain viruses than Söder. Lindner said Laschet had managed to "create a unified line of countries in their vast majority."
Corona crisis: Bundestag resolves 156 billion new debts
Update 3:06 pm: The Bundestag has approved a supplementary budget to finance the aid packages in the Corona crisis . This includes new debts amounting to 156 billion euros. The Federal Council still has to approve the plans on Friday.
Corona crisis: government and opposition more united than ever - Lindner calls for exit strategy
First report from March 25th
Berlin - The German government is talking about the Corona Aid Package . The drastic measures * to contain the virus in the Federal Republic put the economy and the financial system in short supply. Now the urgent need to react. In the history of the Federal Republic, government and opposition have probably never been so united. However, there are some swipes.
Union faction leader Ralph Brinkhaus announced on Wednesday morning that the Coronavirus * aid packages would be implemented quickly. "Implementation is now what matters," said the CDU politician. However, not everyone can be presented as if the crisis had not taken place.
Corona virus: Rapid aid payments are intended to stabilize the economy
The current restrictions on public life are proportional, the chairman of the FDP parliamentary group, Christian Lindner , said in the Bundestag on Wednesday. "However, the current state of affairs contradicts human nature." It does not suit an open society, endangers the economy and also social peace, "if people's acceptance could decrease in the very near future", Lindner warned. The condition must therefore be overcome "step by step, but as quickly as possible".
The party's criticism is louder than the left. Now the fatal consequences of the austerity dictate and privatization in the health sector have become apparent, the left-wing parliamentary group leader Amira Mohammed Ali said. Despite some weaknesses, the government's package of measures now contains “many good regulations with which we agree”.
Even the AfD, which has dealt with the internal party and criticism and the federal government in recent weeks. At the moment, however, the crisis also seems to be arriving in the party. On Tuesday, parliamentary group Alice Weidel was apologized for the Bundestag session. "I was diagnosed with pneumonia, which is why I will not attend the Bundestag meetings this week to protect myself and the health of my colleagues and employees," Weidel said on Tuesday evening to the German Press Agency. According to her spokesman, she has not yet been tested for the novel corona virus.
Corona crisis: aid package to be adopted on Wednesday
"Standing together is now the first civic duty," said AfD parliamentary group leader Alexander Gauland on Wednesday morning. After the end of this crisis, his group wanted to name the government's mistakes. The latter did not make provisions and did not live up to its responsibilities, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. Border controls were ordered too late, protective clothing for medical personnel was not procured early enough. In addition to financial aid for citizens and companies, the government must now present a long-term plan. People wanted to know what was going to happen "if there was still no all-clear in three months". If Gauland accuses the Federal Government of being too late and too hesitant to restrict, he simply shoots the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder in the opposite direction. “In addition to the ban on contacts now issued, there are only curfews. Even if a South German prime minister, who behaves a little like a proconsul, would like to do so, the social consequences must already be considered today. "
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier has agreed to the aid package , which is to be decided on Wednesday afternoon, in view of the dramatic economic consequences of the Corona crisis and the measures that have been decided to contain it *. It's about quick aid payments *. "It is our ambition that the first payments arrive at the companies concerned before April 1 and that the state's ability to act has proven itself even in this difficult situation," said the CDU politician on Wednesday in the Bundestag during the debate on the aid packages of the Federal government.
Corona aid package: That is what the federal government is planning
The federal government is planning direct grants for small companies, solo self-employed and freelancers totaling 50 billion euros. To finance this, a supplementary budget is necessary, among other things. The federal and state governments are currently working on an agreement on the aid package. The funds are then to be paid out via the federal states.
Altmaier said the German economy is now in heavy water after ten good years because of the pandemic. Many paid a high price with less income and less wealth. It is now a question of cohesion in order to maintain companies and jobs and to overcome the dry spell. The point is that the pandemic would not destroy structures built up over decades.
British Premier Johnson in bed, the chancellor in quarantine. Virologists swing the baton worldwide. This must not become permanent, says Merkur editor-in-chief Georg Anastasiadis *.
nai / dpa / afp
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Michael Kappeler
