All articles tagged with #bundestag
The German Bundestag commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, recognizing it as Europe's worst war crime since WWII, amid political controversy and remembrance events. The article also covers related topics including a trial of a German comedian over social media posts, a high-profile kidnapping trial, and other recent German news.
Despite Germany's heavy reliance on fax machines, the Bundestag is set to eliminate them by June, transitioning to email for official communication. This move, led by Torsten Herbst, aims to reduce bureaucracy and modernize the public sector, though challenges remain in changing the legal status of emails and overcoming a cultural preference for paper documentation.
Germany's parliament has approved a bill to legalize marijuana nationwide, with possession and home cultivation becoming legal and social clubs authorized to distribute marijuana to members. The bill now heads to the Bundesrat, and if enacted, legalization could take effect in April. Supporters emphasize the need for modernizing cannabis policy to combat the black market and protect children and young people, while opponents argue it could strain the health system and lead to increased underage consumption. The legislation has faced delays and adjustments, with plans for staggered implementation and eventual pilot programs for commercial sales.
The German Bundestag has voted against explicitly delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, with the ruling coalition's motion for providing long-range weapons and ammunition not explicitly mentioning Taurus. There are differences in interpretation within the coalition, with the opposition's explicit call for Taurus delivery being rejected. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius avoided mentioning Taurus in his address, and there are concerns about escalation and fears that the missiles might reach Russia. Ukrainian leaders have been urging Germany to provide Taurus missiles, emphasizing the need for long-range weapons to defend against Russian aggression.
Germany's Health Committee has approved a bill to legalize marijuana, with a final floor vote expected on Friday, but questions have arisen about the implementation timeline. The bill may face issues related to criminal justice policy implications when it goes to the Bundesrat, potentially leading to a mediation committee referral. Despite this, the legislation has seen progress after being delayed multiple times, with adjustments made to loosen restrictions and stagger the implementation of the reform. The government plans to introduce a complementary measure for commercial sales and emphasize public education about the risks of cannabis use.
King Charles praised German-UK relations in a speech to the Bundestag during his three-day state visit to Germany, his first foreign visit since becoming king. He thanked Germany for its military support to Ukraine and highlighted cultural connections between the two countries. The monarch also visited a center for Ukrainian refugees, met soldiers from a German-British engineer battalion, and discussed organic farming. The visit will continue for a final day on Friday with a visit to Hamburg. The fact that Charles was set to address parliament was met with criticism from one member of Germany's socialist Left Party.