Weekly Affairs at the Bundestag
In the world of German politics, this week is shaping up to be a busy one. Here are some of the key developments to watch:
Germany is raising its target for renewable energy expansion. The aim is to increase the share of renewable energies in Germany's gross electricity consumption to 80 percent by 2030. This ambitious goal is part of the Easter Package, a set of measures aimed at tackling important projects and fulfilling central election promises related to renewable energies and climate neutrality.
On the international front, Germany is set to rejoin the EU security mission EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The federal government will deploy two liaison and observation teams and staff for the operational leadership.
In a historic move, Finland and Sweden have joined NATO as full members, marking a strategic shift in European security. Germany, as an existing NATO member, has approved their membership. However, Germany's increased military capabilities and defense spending are part of its broader NATO commitments rather than a pending step specifically tied to Finland and Sweden’s accession.
The federal government is also developing a new, comprehensive research and innovation strategy, building on the experiences of the Hightech Strategy.
Energy security is also high on the agenda. A bill is being introduced in the Bundestag to establish a gas replacement reserve and reduce gas consumption in the power sector in case of an impending gas shortage.
The German Armed Forces will continue their engagement in the NATO-led international security presence in Kosovo (KFOR) for another mandate, with an upper limit of 400 soldiers.
Germany ranks among the most research-intensive countries worldwide, with state, economy, and universities investing around €105.9 billion in research and development in 2020.
The CETA ratification bill will be discussed in the first reading in the German Bundestag this week. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is intended to set the framework for trade relations between Canada and the EU.
The German government is also preparing for a possible COVID-19 wave this fall by discussing a draft law for a COVID-19 Protection Act. The aim is to extend the legal basis for the Federal Ministry of Health for the corona vaccination and testing ordinances until the end of 2022.
An investigative committee will be established this week to clarify how the evacuation mission in Afghanistan was handled by the federal government.
Lastly, the bill allowing virtual general meetings of joint-stock companies will be debated this week, enabling digital meetings to continue due to positive experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These developments reflect a wide range of issues being addressed by the German government, from energy and climate policy to international security and research and innovation. Stay tuned for more updates as these issues unfold.
- The increased target for renewable energy expansion in Germany is a part of the environmental-science sector, aiming to reach an 80% share by 2030 as part of the Easter Package.
- In the realm of international climate-change efforts, Germany is rejoining the EU security mission EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The investment in a new, comprehensive research and innovation strategy is a move that falls within the realm of science, building on experiences from the Hightech Strategy.
- As the general-news and politics of energy continue to evolve, a bill is being introduced in the Bundestag to secure a gas replacement reserve and reduce gas consumption in the power sector, in case of an impending energy crisis.
