Corona crisis: "We need a Marshall Plan for Europe" - Von der Leyen demands massive investments

2020-04-05T07:09:41.679Z

Corona pandemic: The Bundeswehr appears to be of limited help in the crisis. Ursula von der Leyen calls for a Marshal plan for Europe to deal with the crisis.

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 will also find current numbers of cases in Germany as a map and the latest developments in Germany.

Update from April 5, 8:48 a.m .: What happens after the Corona crisis? EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke out in favor of massive investments in the EU budget: "We need a Marshall Plan for Europe", she writes in a guest contribution for the "Welt am Sonntag". The EU budget was accepted in all member states as an instrument of solidarity-based compensation and had to be adjusted accordingly to the crisis.

The Marshall Plan was a multi-billion dollar aid program from the United States that got Western Europe drawn from World War II back on its feet.

The former foreign ministers Joschka Fischer (Greens) and Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) also spoke in favor of a Marshall Plan, albeit in support of Spain and Italy to prevent a possible breakup of Europe. "Europe now needs two things: joint aid in the crisis and a joint reconstruction program after the crisis," write Fischer and Gabriel in a guest contribution for the "Handelsblatt" and the "Tagesspiegel" (Monday).

Update of April 5, 7:58 a.m .: The FDP chairman Christian Lindner speaks out strictly against a change in the Basic Law for corona emergency regulations for the Bundestag. It is about considerations to create the possibility for the formation of an emergency parliament or for virtual meetings of the Bundestag. "The parliament must certainly become more digital, but crises are not a good adviser for constitutional changes," said Lindner of the German Press Agency in Berlin. "Such suggestions should be discussed in quieter times."

Corona crisis: Bundeswehr with bad news - Schröder surprises with Merkel's sentence

Update of April 4, 12.55 p.m .: Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) had set the Bundeswehr on a long crisis mission and ordered 15,000 soldiers to support the states and local authorities. But it seems that the troops can only help to a limited extent in the fight against Corona . The "Spiegel" reports and relies on a current report to the Bundestag. The Bundeswehr is already reaching "the limits of support" for personal protective equipment such as the much-needed protective masks for the municipalities, it says. Because the Bundeswehr needs nursing staff itself, it cannot be turned off either.

The reason for the shortage of protective masks are the "tense market situation in procurement". Municipalities in particular had asked the troops for masks.

Schröder criticizes SPD leadership in corona crisis - and surprises with Merkel's sentence

Update of April 4 10:43 am: Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) has criticized the behavior of his party's leadership in the Corona crisis. In the current situation, his "friendly suggestion to the party leadership of the SPD" would be "perhaps to give up a little while to develop your own ideas that are not far from the Left Party," said Schröder of the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung . "You can even say the wrong thing at the wrong time."

Schröder apparently alluded to SPD party leader Saskia Esken , who had asked for a capital levy to help cope with the Corona crisis. Schröder called on the SPD leadership to stand behind the federal government in the crisis . "The entire government, including the Minister of Health and the Economy and Ms Merkel, is currently doing a very good job," emphasized the former chancellor and party leader.

Schröder particularly praised the Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, who was appointed by the SPD. "The Finance Minister in particular is doing the right thing," said Schröder. "He made it clear: these times are not about the black zero, but about maintaining economic and social life."

Corona crisis: The left does not want borders between the federal states

Update from April 4, 8.39 a.m .: The left in the Bundestag rejects the partially imposed entry restrictions within Germany to contain the Corona crisis. Parliamentary Managing Director Jan Korte told the editorial network Germany (Saturday) that the general contact blocks were correct . “But pulling up the borders at the federal states and saying that some people can relax for a day by the sea from their everyday life in the apartment and others not - that goes too far. Where is that supposed to lead? ”Those who keep the minimum distance and behave responsibly should be allowed to go for a walk without having problems with the police - whether in the forest, in the park or by the sea, said Korte.

Jan Korte (The Left) some corona restrictions go too far.

The deputy chairman of the Greens parliamentary group, Konstantin von Notz, told the RND that uniform federal regulations are necessary. "We need a coherent and transparent overall concept. We don't need small statesmanship. "

The rules are strict, for example, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania . Vacation rentals, for example, may only be used by their owners if they also have their main residence in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Owners from other federal states are prohibited from entering and using the property.

And over the Easter holidays, day trips to seaside resorts on the coast or the Lake District were prohibited to everyone, and not just to outside parties. Entry restrictions also apply to neighboring Schleswig-Holstein, which tourists have not been allowed to enter since March 18.

Corona crisis: Juso boss Kühnert wants to save Berlin pubs

Update from April 4, 8.25 a.m .: In view of the tense economic situation of many restaurateurs in the corona crisis, Juso boss Kevin Kühnert has launched an initiative to save Berlin's pubs. The aim is that in the coming week, a website will go online that collects donations for pubs. "We would like to appeal to the people to put aside the symbolic euro for the beer not drunk in the pub and to send it to their own pub," said the chairman of the SPD youth organization and deputy party leader of the German press agency. Many neighborhood bars have no financial reserves and are poorly networked compared to restaurants and bars. “In this respect, this is a very existential question for many of them. In addition, in a big city, where there is the problem of rents. "

Together with friends, he therefore founded the “bar savior” . In a tweet, the initiative asked for help, for example, when setting up a donation app. "We had the feeling that there is not so much time now and we would rather go out with the idea first," said Kühnert.

Help is currently very popular and that's a good thing. I founded @kneipenretter together with friends. The initiative is intended to help #Berlin | er Pubs through the # Corona crisis. Would you like to help build it up? Get in touch (DMs are open)! And: sharing is caring! ❤️ https://t.co/XoA40bv1CB

- Kevin alone at home Kühnert (@KuehniKev) April 1, 2020

Corona crisis: pandemic depresses parental allowance

Update from April 3 : At the moment, parents often have to look after their children themselves because of daycare and school closings, are on short-time work or have lost income due to missing orders. Federal Family Minister Franziska Giffey (SPD) is therefore striving to change the way parents' allowances are calculated . The amount of parental allowance is usually based on the average net income of the last twelve months before the birth. For mothers and fathers who are applying for parental allowance now or soon, the months of the Corona crisis should not be included in the calculation because this would have a negative impact on the amount of parental allowance.

She has already spoken to the countries about these and other regulations, Giffey said. She was also in discussion with the parliamentary groups on how this could be implemented quickly. According to the dpa , there should also be an adjusted parental allowance for mothers and fathers who work in so-called systemically relevant professions. If they cannot take their parental allowance months because of the Corona crisis, they should be able to postpone them. The rules for the partnership bonus could also be relaxed if part-time work is currently not possible.

Corona crisis: our lifestyle to blame for the pandemic? Minister sees "wake-up call"

Update 6.44 p.m .: Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) hopes the corona pandemic will stimulate more nature conservation. The spread of the corona virus is "a real wake-up call" that more needs to be done here, she said in Berlin on Thursday. If ecosystems were destroyed, the surviving species shared the shrinking habitats with humans - this "unnatural closeness" between wild animals and humans encouraged viruses to skip.

Schulze explained that it is known that around 70 percent of the pathogens known today originally came from the animal kingdom . This applies, for example, to HIV, Sars and Ebola as well as bird flu. The "virus reservoir" in the animal world is very large.

The jump to humans is "very rare", said Schulze. "But when different types of animals and people come together in a confined space, it can be very dangerous." This also applies to wildlife markets, for example. In many regions of the world, nature conservation is an "important key" to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases, Schulze emphasized. She also underlined German responsibility: "Our lifestyle makes a significant contribution" that ecosystems are being destroyed, she criticized. For example, soya and palm oil would be destroyed on a large scale for the important import products.

Corona crisis in Germany: Seehofer and Klöckner advise on harvest helpers - and make delicate decisions

Update 16:32: Despite the Corona crisis, harvest helpers can now come to Germany - subject to conditions. Federal Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner (CDU) and Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) have agreed on limited entry. Up to 40,000 seasonal workers are expected to come in April and May .

Julia Klöckner (CDU) and Horst Seehofer (CSU) have presented a concept for harvest helpers in the corona crisis. (Archive picture)

According to a concept paper from the two departments, workers are only allowed to enter in groups and by plane . A health check is also planned. If there are indications of a corona infection , entry should be refused. The newly arrived helpers must therefore work separately from other employees in the first 14 days after their arrival and may not leave the company. The Home Office had previously imposed extensive entry restrictions for seasonal workers.

Corona crisis in Germany: Merkel appeals for Easter waiver - "Takes longer than expected"

Update from April 2 : The contact restrictions due to the Corona crisis apply until at least April 19. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) made this clear on Wednesday after a conference call with the prime ministers of the federal states. After Easter , the situation should be reassessed together. Critical voices are now reporting. Meanwhile, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed the citizens in a video message during the Corona crisis.

Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU): Citizens should stay at home over Easter because of the corona crisis

Update from 4:25 p.m .: Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) went to the press after the conference call with the Prime Ministers of the federal states - and again asked people to comply with the extended contact restrictions - also at Easter . The reason is the high infection rates with the new type of corona virus . "Therefore, I ask you to generally refrain from private trips and visits, including from relatives," said Merkel. "We rely on people to participate."

The conference also discussed the procurement of more intensive care beds in hospitals, medical protective clothing and the situation in nursing homes, where people were "particularly vulnerable". You know that you have to get breathing masks "with high pressure". In the end, Merkel thanked for the "good, constructive cooperation in these difficult times in Germany".

Update from 3:48 p.m .: At Easter , the contact restrictions will not end: The citizens "are encouraged to reduce contacts to other people outside of their own household to an absolute minimum, even during the Easter holidays, according to the applicable rules", says in a draft resolution for the conference call by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) with the Prime Ministers of the federal states on Wednesday, from which the dpa quotes.

The treatment of severe Covid 19 cases in the intensive care unit was on average significantly more than two weeks and therefore took longer than expected. Therefore, it must happen that the number of sick people only doubles every "12, 13, 14 days", said Merkel. The health system must not be overwhelmed.

On Tuesday after Easter there should be a new assessment of the situation. "It would be bad if we gave up the contact restrictions too early," said Merkel. With regard to the discussion about tracking apps, she said that she was definitely focusing on developing such apps - especially when the contact restrictions were relaxed.

Corona: Protection of the Constitution alarmed because of right-wing extremists

Update 2:19 p.m .: The German constitutional protection warns against right-wing extremists to exploit corona crisis . "The corona virus has received a lot of attention in the right-wing extremist scene," said the President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, the weekly newspaper Die Zeit . He referred to disinformation campaigns and the spread of conspiracy theories.

The pandemic is being used as an opportunity to "undermine confidence in the federal government, spread conspiracy theories and brand migrants as carriers of the virus," said Haldenwang. "At the same time, dooming scenarios are being drafted to generate approval for radical and extremist positions." Haldenwang emphasized that the constitutional protection authorities had such activities "closely monitored".

Various attempts at disinformation campaigns are also currently a topic in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, it said. In addition to Imperial Citizens , neo-Nazis or the Identitarian Movement , foreign governments also tried to attack social cohesion in Germany and in the European Union in this way. However, there was no further information.

Coronavirus: Merkel is planning a conference call

Update 2:28 p.m .: Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to talk to the Prime Ministers of the Länder in a conference call on Wednesday from 2 p.m. on how to proceed in the Corona crisis . How long the conversation will last, can not yet be estimated, said a government spokesman on Wednesday in the federal press conference. In the past few weeks, this consultation between the Chancellor and the Prime Minister has proven to be a functional instrument for a common strategy in federal Germany. So far, only the Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has gone a special way in Bavaria.

Corona crisis: Federal President Steinmeier calls for "global alliance"

Update from April 1, 7:34 am: Several states have closed their borders in the wake of the corona pandemic . Some nations also isolate themselves economically. The export of protective clothing has been temporarily suspended in many countries. German vaccine company also aroused desires in the USA - Trump apparently wanted to secure the active ingredient exclusively. Several heads of state say in a contribution by the Financial Times - one of these is Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Five heads of state are calling for a "global alliance" against the pandemic of the corona virus . "This pandemic will not spare a country, no matter how advanced its economy, capabilities or technology," says a joint article. "We are all equal before this virus and we all have to work together to fight it."

The Financial Times contribution under the heading "For a global alliance against the pandemic" was presented by Federal President Steinmeier , Jordan's King Abdullah II, the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, and the President of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno Garcés, written. "We all face the same opponent, and it only benefits us if all of humanity unites and resolutely opposes him," they continue.

Corona virus: AKK reacts clearly to requests made to the Bundeswehr

Update of March 31, 8:24 pm: The Bundeswehr is overwhelmed with requests for administrative assistance in the Corona crisis . And cannot meet all wishes. Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer made this clear. "No, unfortunately not," said the CDU boss in a ZDF special program when asked a question. "There are very, very many applications." Many therefore refer to protective equipment or medical personnel . “Of course, that's where we are just as limited as other civilian facilities. But we try to implement everything that we can somehow achieve. Especially where we have capabilities that no one else has. ”She cited the transfer of intensive care patients by the Air Force as an example.

At the same time, Kramp-Karrenbauer affirmed that there were no plans to replace the police inside . “The legal basis is very clear. We move on that. "

12.50 p.m .: Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) gave a press conference on how to deal with the economic effects of the corona crisis. You can read the statements in our news ticker.

"Don't understand Merkel and Scholz at all": Habeck calls for three corona measures - including a new app

Update from March 31, 2020, 11.45 a.m .: Green Party leader Robert Habeck calls on the German government to take three specific measures to counter the consequences of the Corona crisis . In a video message published on Facebook, among other things, he also raises clear criticism of the politics of the Merkel government.

Greens boss Robert Habeck (archive picture)

Habeck named a " Corona app " as a necessary point, which traces contact paths. The current situation is seriously endangering the economy, he warned. “How long the measures take, however, depends largely on: can we think of anything else? How can we fight the Corona crisis differently than with the measures that we have taken at the moment? ”The app could help, but must“ be done correctly under civil law, ”he said. It should be voluntary , but must still be used well. Data should be anonymized and stored on the cell phone itself - only one identity number should be stored centrally, so Habeck's idea.

After the Corona crisis, a large stimulus program was also needed, instead of indebtedness. This must now be discussed.

At the same time, Habeck spoke in favor of European solidarity, for example with the heavily affected countries Italy and Spain. He doesn't understand Angela Merkel's and Olaf Scholz's 'no' to corona bonds, ”complained Habeck. The goal must be to “get up again”.

Corona crisis: Merkel's third test result published

7:28 p.m .: Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) can breathe a sigh of relief: No infection was found even in her third test for the novel corona virus . A government spokesman said on Monday in Berlin. He added: "The Federal Chancellor will continue to do business from her home quarantine in the next few days."

Merkel went into quarantine at home on March 22 after being informed that she had contact with a doctor on March 20, who had then tested positive for the coronavirus. The doctor had vaccinated Merkel preventively against pneumococci.

Corona crisis: Maas warns of "war for protective equipment" - "otherwise everyone will suffer"

6.30 p.m .: Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) is concerned about the international competition for protective equipment in the corona crisis. "We need individual components in order to be able to produce devices for protective equipment that are supplied from abroad," he said on Monday in a live broadcast of the "Bild" newspaper. "Others need deliveries from us to keep their production going."

The Foreign Minister warned: "This must not lead to a fight or even a war over protective equipment, respirators or masks ." This is one of the greatest challenges for the international community that currently exist. "If we don't manage that, everyone will end up suffering as a result," said Maas. It is important to "now also cooperate internationally in addition to the national measures".

Corona crisis: take action from Austria? Söder with a clear announcement of a new tightening

5.49 p.m .: The Federal Foreign Office asked for patience when returning Germans from abroad . By Monday, 175,000 Germans from around 60 countries had been brought back because of the Corona crisis . The return of the remaining travelers is often difficult - for example, because the travel countries have blocked their airspace or because it is about individual travelers who could not get to the pick-up points in their travel countries due to the corona restrictions.

One example is the Peruvian tourist stronghold Cusco, where German tourists have been stuck in difficult conditions for ten days. The Federal Foreign Office is now planning two return flights there on Wednesday and Thursday, a spokesman for the Federal Foreign Office announced.

Corona crisis in Germany: Federal government delivers 20 million respirators

2:59 p.m .: The federal government has now procured 20 million urgently needed respiratory masks . They should go to clinics , medical practices and nursing homes , said the Ministry of Health in Berlin. Companies in other sectors have meanwhile switched over and produced masks, including in the textile industry. When asked whether private individuals should also wear masks, the government made it clear that this was a voluntary decision - normal non-medical mouth and nose protection could protect others from infection .

13:58 : In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic , a protective mask will be mandatory in supermarkets in Austria in the future. Does it also come here? According to the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) : No. He does not rule out that this could also be an option in Germany, said Söder on Monday in Munich. But he emphasized that no further tightening of the current requirements is currently planned.

Corona crisis: Federal government comments on restrictions

13:32 : The contact restrictions in Germany have been in effect for a week - and government spokesman Steffen Seibert made it clear on Monday in Berlin: As long as the spread of coronavirus in Germany does not slow down significantly , the Federal Government does not want to present a schedule for a gradual end to the shutdown: " We need all measures unabated. "

12.37 p.m .: The exit restrictions in Bavaria that have applied since March 21 due to the corona virus will be extended until the end of the Easter holidays on April 19. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) said in Munich on Monday. The measures will not be tightened.

Markus Söder (CSU)

Update from March 30th, 6:32 am: The parliamentary group of the FDP Stephan Thomae has spoken out in favor of the Corona rapid test at German airports. "To ensure that people who have become infected with the virus can no longer spread it after re-entry, all passengers should undergo a rapid test directly after arriving at the airport and have to wait for the result on site," said Thomae of the German Press Agency .

“Filling out a drop-out card and the recommendations for returnees from risk areas of the RKI alone are not enough to minimize the risk of the virus spreading unnoticed. As we know, the disease can be almost symptom-free, ”he explained. A quick test for the new coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 was developed by the company Bosch. This process takes 2.5 hours from taking the sample to the result.

Corona crisis: Ex-Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel sharply criticizes the EU

5:08 p.m .: The EU has “completely failed ” to deal with the Corona crisis , says ex-Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. "The worst part was that, even at the beginning, we Germans were not ready to provide aid to places where people fell and died in rows, namely to northern Italy," continued the ex-SPD chief in the ZDF political magazine "Berlin Direct." "Away.

Gabriel asked if it would have been so dramatic if Germany had raised 166 billion euros instead of 156 billion euros in new debt - and then given 10 billion euros to the Italians and Spaniards as first aid. "So they will remember that it is not their neighbors who are helping them - but the Chinese ."

What a shame: #Europe's member states fail the biggest test and leave Italy and Spain in the lurch. Germany made the most of #Europe. Germany should make 10% of the 150 billion economic aid available to these two countries

- Sigmar Gabriel (@sigmargabriel) March 27, 2020

SPD: No daycare fees in Corona due to closing times

16:19: The SPD state parliamentary group in Bavaria wants to exempt the parents of daycare children from the fees in the Corona crisis. To this end, the state government should set up a fund to compensate for the loss of the institutions - municipalities, churches, private providers.

Parents' contributions should no longer be collected for the time of the impending closings; contributions already made should be reimbursed. The amount of the fund cannot yet be estimated, since the costs depend on the duration of the daycare closings.

Schleswig-Holstein has already decided on aid measures for affected parents. The state is providing the municipalities with 50 million euros from the Corona emergency aid program. The money is to be used to reimburse the daycare contributions for two months . Similar regulations are also planned in Baden-Württemberg , Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg .

Corona crisis: Bundeswehr brings more patients from Bergamo

13:57: The Bundeswehr sent a plane to northern Italy on Sunday to pick up more Covid 19 patients . A spokesman for the Air Force announced that an Airbus A310 MedEvac flew from Cologne to Bergamo at noon to bring six Italians to Germany for intensive care. The day before, the Bundeswehr had picked up six patients in the city, which was badly affected by the corona pandemic , and flown to Cologne. On Sunday, a Luftwaffe A400M transport plane took off for Strasbourg to pick up two patients who will be taken care of by the Bundeswehr hospital in Ulm.

Corona: Germany has brought back 160,000 Germans from abroad

11.44 a.m .: According to Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) , more than 160,000 Germans have so far been brought back from abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic . On Saturday evening he thanked everyone involved in the short message service Twitter who would have worked "incredibly hard" on it. Maas appealed to those who remained abroad: "Please be patient if we have not yet been able to help you."

The Federal Government estimates the number of people willing to return, mostly holidaymakers, at around 200,000. "We will continue," tweeted Maas.

Initially, all EU countries had tried to bring their citizens home on their own, given the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic. There is now coordination.

The Italian president now caused a smile among his compatriots thanks to a glitch in a TV speech about the corona virus.

Coronavirus: Klöckner is pressing for applications for asylum seekers in agriculture

11:18: In view of the lack of seasonal workers in agriculture due to the measures in the Corona crisis , Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner (CDU) insists that asylum seekers can also work there quickly. Together with Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU), she wanted to enable asylum seekers with a ban on employment to start working in agriculture at short notice, Klöckner told the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe on Sunday.

"Many come from safe countries of origin such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia or Montenegro and want to get involved, get involved," said the CDU politician with conviction. She also pointed out that numerous helpers had already registered on the www.daslandhilft.de platform. "The rush is huge - there were over 30,000 advertisements in the first five days alone," said Klöckner.

The placement portal for harvest workers in the Corona crisis started on Tuesday on the website www.daslandhilft.de. It is intended to help replace seasonal workers from abroad who cannot come to Germany due to the pandemic. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture supports the portal.

"Harvesting and sowing cannot be postponed like a concert or sporting events," emphasized Klöckner . Because of the lack of seasonal workers, many farmers are concerned. "We support them with a whole package of measures and try to win helping hands in Germany in the fields," said the minister.

Corona crisis: SPD politician responds to Adidas announcement with drastic Instagram video

8:51 a.m .: The Bavarian SPD politician Florian Post reacted to the Adidas announcement during the Corona crisis to refrain from paying rents with an astonishing and extremely drastic action. The Upper Palatinate, who has been a member of the SPD in the Bundestag since 2013, posted a video on Instagram in which he burns a polo shirt from Adidas in a ton. Post says in his video: "I believe that we have not passed our law to make Dax companies harmless." Unilaterally passing on the costs of the corona crisis to smaller landlords is "unsound."

“Therefore, I believe that you should rethink your consumer behavior especially after the crisis. I won't wear Adidas things anymore. For this reason, I want to set an example. "

Check out this post on Instagram

I no longer buy adidas products! Clubs should also consider who their sponsoring partner should be in the future and especially after the Corona crisis. Unsolidarial behavior should be punished! Incidentally, this is an old polo shirt with holes in it that would have been completely unsuitable for donating clothes. #adidas #unolidated #corona # covid_19

A post shared by Florian Post (@ post.florian) on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:22 am PDT

The response to the video is mostly negative. "So you cannot react even more stupidly as a politician with responsibility and pour even more oil into the fire," writes one user. Another says: “Thank you for this constructive contribution. Is there anything better to do for a politician these days? "

Corona crisis: Scholz wants to make bonuses tax-free and shoots against Adidas and Deichmann

Update of March 29, 7.58 a.m .: Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) has announced in the Corona crisis

To make bonus payments for employees up to 1500 euros tax-free . “Many employers have already announced that they want to pay their employees a bonus. As Federal Minister of Finance, I will issue instructions on Monday that such a bonus of up to EUR 1,500 will be completely tax-free, ”said Scholz the picture on Sunday . “Many employees work under difficult conditions every day to take care of us - as a carer, at the supermarket checkout, as a hospital doctor, behind the truck steering wheel. We should honor this commitment. "

The finance minister was critical of the stop of rent payments for shops of large companies. "It is irritating when large companies simply announce a freeze on rent payments," said Scholz. "Now is the time for cooperation. A good business relationship also includes communicating with each other in difficult times. My advice: put it together and think with the landlords or the suppliers how to get through this crisis. "

Previously, well-known retail companies had stopped paying rent for their branches in Germany due to the ordered closings. These include retail chains like Deichmann and H&M as well as brand manufacturers like Adidas.

Corona crisis: "Deadly danger to the EU" - Italy is attacking Merkel and Germany

News from March 28th:

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, they 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.

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, 2020

Former 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, 2020

Update 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. "But 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 *.

"I have Corona!" A man from the particularly affected district of Heinsberg shouted at the police and spat in their direction.

nai / dpa / afp

* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-04-05