Update from Berlin #11 | Lobbyregister Revision, Committee Hearings, Government Interview
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Revision of the Lobbyregister, tobacco law, penal code amendments and several public committee hearings. Florian von Gierke gives us some insights on this week’s agenda of the German Bundestag in the 11th episode of Update from Berlin.
In this episode:
– Initiatives by CDU/CSU
– Inheritance Tax
– Tobacco Law
– Penal Code Revision
– Lobbyregister Revision
– Public Committee Hearings
– Government Interview
– Federal Court Sessions
[Full Script]:
Hello and welcome to our newest episode of Update from Berlin. Berlin is racing towards the finishing line – after which comes the rather long summer break until September – so let’s see what’s on the agenda this week.
Initiatives by CDU/CSU
The CDU / CSU parliamentary group wants to support property ownership and has introduced a petition to this effect. They also want to restructure the German rail road operator, Deutsche Bahn. Furthermore the CDU / CSU wants to push the Government to stop the conversion of agricultural land for other uses and speed-up construction permits for traffic projects.
Inheritance Tax
The Left Party would like to see Germany’s inheritance tax as well as the minimum wage – currently at 12 Euros per hour or roughly 2000 Euros per month (at 40 hours per week) increased.
We’re also seeing a bunch of proposals and bills from the Government.
Tobacco Law & Penal Code Revision
For one they are adapting Germany’s tobacco laws to be in line with updated EU regulation. Furthermore Germany’s penal code will be revised slightly. Specifically, substitute prison sentences – for failure to pay a financial penalty – will be reduced and some other adaptations to sentencing laws are introduced.
Lobbyregister Revision
The Government will also introduce – for the first reading – its planned revision of Germany’s Lobbyregister.
Public Committee Hearings
In the Bundestag various committees will have (public) sessions this week. This includes the Health Committee, the Energy Committee – once again, they’ll talk about heaters and the Building Energy Act. The Committee on Housing, Urban Development, Building and Local Government will also hold a hearing this week on various issues including a report on the framework for installing heat pumps.
Government Interview
Lastly in Parliament there will be a “Government Interview”. Specifically, Economics Minister Habeck and Construction Minister Geywitz will be present to respond to questions from parliamentarians.
Federal Court Sessions
We’re expecting a couple of judgements and hearings by Germany’s federal courts this week. The constitutional court will publish its judgment in a case concerning the wage prisoners receive for prison labor. They’ll also hear a case on the second supplementary budget act of 2021. At Germany’s federal administrative court there will be two cases heard this week. One on alternative practitioners and one regarding questions arising from the LNG-acceleration act.
That’s it for this week. As always, leave a like and/or a comment. It will surely appease the algorithm gods. But mostly – it’s just going to help us, which is very much appreciated! And should you have any questions – feel free to reach out.
