Skip next section Justice Minister pushing for new law to cap rent increases
12/20/2025December 20, 2025
Justice Minister pushing for new law to cap rent increases
Germany’s Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has said she wants to introduce a new law that would make renting more affordable.
Hubig cited rental agreements which allow rent to rise automatically when everyday prices go up as having heavily impacted renters, especially since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.
A new law that would limit rent increases to no more than 3.5% per year, even if prices rise faster, is being considered as a way to curb unaffordable rises, Hubig told the Neuen Berliner Redaktionsgesellschaft on Saturday.
A euro a year to rent in Germany? Fuggerei makes it possible
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The intention is for this law to take effect by 2027 and apply to all rental agreements, whether they already exist or are newly signed.
Additionally, the Social Democratic minister (SPD) Hubig intends to change the law on short-term rentals as some apartments are rented for short periods to avoid normal rent limits.
Under her new proposal, short-term rentals would be limited to six months and if someone stays past that period, the apartment would have to follow the same rent rules as a normal long-term rental.
https://p.dw.com/p/55kQR
Skip next section More than half of Germans support curbs on migration — poll
12/20/2025December 20, 2025
More than half of Germans support curbs on migration — poll
According to a YouGov survey that was conducted on behalf of the German DPA news agency, over 50% of Germans are supportive of reducing immigration linked to asylum seekers.
Those surveyed were asked whether they shared Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s goal of reducing the immigration of asylum seekers.
The results showed 53% said they “fully” supported the goal, with a further 23% “somewhat” supportive of the goal.
It also showed that 15% completely or somewhat rejected Dobrindt’s course, with 9% not feeling confident in answering the question or not giving an answer.
Immigration controls had already been put in place by Dobrindt’s predecessor, Nancy Faeser, but since taking over the office in May, he had intensified rejecting asylum applications and ordered officers to turn away people at the border
Exceptions were afforded to pregnant women, sick people and other people belonging to vulnerable groups.
Of those surveyed, only 8% said they see a “significant change of course” following Dobrindt’s measures, while 42% said they see no change.
Over 2,100 eligible voters participated in the survey, conducted between December 12 and 15.
https://p.dw.com/p/55kOx
Skip next section German chancellor Merz to attend Magdeburg memorial service
12/20/2025December 20, 2025
German chancellor Merz to attend Magdeburg memorial service
A memorial service will be held on Saturday evening to mark a year since the attack at a Magdeburg Christmas market, which left six people dead.
The service will begin at 17:30 CET (1630 GMT) at St John’s Church, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz among the officials joining the bereaved families of those affected by the incident on December 20, 2024.
At the time the attack took place, 19:02 CET, bells will be rung, to remember the victims. Earlier in the day, at 11:00 CET, a religious memorial service will take place at the church.
Germany’s Christmas markets open amid security concerns
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Along with the six people who were killed, including a nine-year-old boy, more than 300 people were injured when a man drove a rental car at high speed through the Christmas market.
Since November, the alleged perpetrator has been on trial at the Magdeburg Regional Court.
You can read here how locals from the eastern city of Magdeburg are coping with their grief one year on from the attack.
https://p.dw.com/p/55kOh
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage12/20/2025December 20, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Guten morgen and welcome to our coverage.
Saturday marks the one year anniversary since an attack at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg claimed the live of six people, including a nine-year-old boy.
A number of events will be held to commemorate the victims, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set to attend a memorial service in the evening.
A recent YouGov poll has also showed that more than half of Germans agree with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s goal to implement a tougher migration stance.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest!
https://p.dw.com/p/55kPK
