Germany’s ruling three-party coalition has collapsed following Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to fire Finance Minister Christian Lindner, thereby setting the stage for an early election and sparking political chaos in Europe’s largest economy, reported <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/7/early-german-elections-likely-as-scholz-fires-minister-coalition-collapses">Al Jazeera</a>.
Opposition conservatives have called for an immediate vote of confidence, aiming to facilitate elections in January.
Scholz had initially planned to hold the confidence vote in January but would likely lose, prompting new elections by the end of March—six months earlier than the originally scheduled September elections.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democrats, who are currently leading in nationwide polls, criticized the timeline and demanded that the vote be held “by the beginning of next week at the latest.” Said Merz:
<blockquote>
Time is of the essence. We simply cannot afford to have a government without a majority in Germany for several months now, followed by an election campaign for several more months and then possibly several weeks of coalition negotiations.
</blockquote>
Scholz and Merz were scheduled to meet later on Thursday, with Merz planning to urge Scholz to expedite the confidence vote.
Following the chaos of Wednesday, Scholz indicated he would seek Merz’s support in passing the budget and increasing military spending.
On Thursday, Scholz appointed Joerg Kukies, a senior chancellery official and deputy finance minister, as Lindner’s successor.
Lindner was dismissed after months of conflict over budget policy and the direction of Germany’s economy.
Scholz cited Lindner’s obstructive behaviour in budget disputes, accusing him of prioritizing party interests over national concerns and blocking legislation on unfounded grounds, which ultimately led the FDP to leave the government.
The chancellor criticized Lindner for engaging in “small-minded party political tactics” and stated that Lindner had broken his confidence too many times.
In response, Lindner claimed that Scholz had attempted to pressure him into violating the constitutionally mandated spending limit, known as the debt brake, which he refused to support. Said Lindner:
<blockquote>
Olaf Scholz refuses to recognise that our country needs a new economic model. Olaf Scholz has shown he doesn’t have the strength to give his country a new boost.
</blockquote>
Scholz will now need to rely on improvised parliamentary majorities to pass legislation and the planned confidence vote in his government, scheduled for January 15.
With the FDP exiting the coalition, existing cabinet members are expected to take over the roles of outgoing Justice Minister Marco Buschmann and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.
However, Transport Minister Volker Wissing, a member of the FDP, has opted to break ranks with his party and plans to remain in his position.
This political shake-up may heighten frustrations with Germany’s mainstream parties, potentially benefiting younger populist movements, including the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Germany's government broke up because the Chancellor fired the Finance Minister. The opposition wants a quick election in January. The Chancellor and opposition leader will meet to talk about the confidence vote. The Finance Minister was fired because of conflicts over budget policy. The government now needs support to pass laws. Some ministers have left, and new ones will take their place. This could give power to new, younger political groups in Germany.

Germany's Coalition Government Collapses

Germany and Kenya have reached an agreement to enable 250,000 semi-skilled and skilled Kenyans to work in Europe’s biggest economy. As part of the deal, Germany will ease some of its immigration laws. 
Semi-skilled people include buss drivers, while skilled people include teachers, nurses, and doctors. 
The deal was signed in Berlin by Kenya’s President William Ruto and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz this month. It is aimed at addressing a shortage of skilled labour in Germany and a shortage of jobs in Kenya.
Here are some of the things agreed in the deal:
<ul>
<li>Kenyans will get long-term visas to study or get vocational training in Germany. Some bus drivers, for example are now receiving training in Germany </li>
<li>Some specific professions will also get relaxed migration requirements. For example, IT specialists from Kenya will be allowed to enter and work in Germany, even if they do not have formal qualifications.</li>
<li>On the expiry of the long-stay visa, Kenyans may receive a temporary residence permit for study purposes in Germany for up to two years</li>
<li>The temporary residence permit may be extended if the purpose of residence has not yet been achieved but is achievable within a “reasonable” period</li>
<li>Kenyans in Germany illegally will have to return to Kenya and efforts made to reduce illegal immigration</li>
</ul>
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) supports the deal saying it will increase access to decent foreign jobs for Kenyan workers in Germany. 
Said ILO in a statement before the signing: 
<blockquote>
“This agreement is designed to address the labour market needs of both countries, providing a structured framework for the migration of skilled workers. It includes mechanisms to protect the rights and welfare of Kenyan migrant workers in Germany, ensuring safe, orderly, and productive migration.”
</blockquote>
Kenya’s unemployment rate is about 10%, with the majority of the unemployed being the youth.
There have been some criticism in Kenya that the deal would result in brain drain. At a joint press conference in Berlin, Ruto said about the concerns:
<blockquote>
“I want to assure you that we have skills, we have developed a huge human capital. As you may be aware, Kenya is a young country.
We have a huge young population that cannot only satisfy our industrialisation agenda in Kenya but also here in Germany. In fact, it will provide an avenue for us to tap the skills here,”
</blockquote>

Germany and Kenya made a deal for 250,000 Kenyans to work in Germany. Germany will make it easier for them to come. Some will get to study or train there. IT specialists and other skilled workers can come even without formal qualifications. The deal will help both countries - Germany needs workers and Kenya needs jobs. The International Labour Organisation thinks it's a good idea. Kenya's unemployment rate is high, so this will help some Kenyans find work.

Germany To Ease Migration Laws For 250,000 Kenyans, In Labour Deal

Twenty-five people comprising far-right and ex-military figures have been arrested in raids across Germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government.
They reportedly planned to replace it with a new state modelled on the Germany of 1871 – an empire called the Second Reich.
The suspects are said to have prepared for a “Day X” to storm the Reichstag (Parliament) building and seize power.
A minor aristocrat named Prince Heinrich XIII, aged 71 is one of two alleged ringleaders among those arrested across 11 German states.
The plotters are said to include members of the extremist Reichsbürger [Citizens of the Reich] movement, which refuses to recognise the modern German state.
Other suspects came from the QAnon movement who believe that Germany is in the hands of the “deep state” involving secret powers pulling the political strings.
Three thousand officers took part in 150 operations in 11 of Germany’s 16 states, with two people arrested in Austria and Italy.
The raids, conducted at dawn on Wednesday, 6 December, have been described as one of the biggest anti-extremism operations in modern German history.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser assured Germans that authorities would respond with the full force of the law “against the enemies of democracy”.
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann tweeted that a suspected “armed attack on constitutional bodies was planned”. | <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63885028">BBC News</a>

Germany Arrests 25 Accused Of Plotting Coup

Poland Thursday asked Germany to pay World War Two (WWII) reparations of 1.3 trillion euros, according to AFP News Agency.
Poland’s government said it would “ask Germany to negotiate these reparations”. Poland’s new estimate tops the $850 billion estimate by a ruling party lawmaker in 2019.
The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party has repeated calls for compensation several times since it took power in 2015, but Poland hasn’t officially demanded reparations. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of Law and Justice (PiS) told a news conference:
<blockquote>
The sum that was presented was adopted using the most limited, conservative method, it would be possible to increase it. 
</blockquote>
Some six million Poles, including three million Polish Jews, were killed during the war and Warsaw was razed to the ground following a 1944 uprising in which about 200 000 civilians died.
In 1953, Poland’s then-communist rulers lost all claims to war reparations under pressure from the Soviet Union, which wanted to free East Germany, also a Soviet satellite, from any liabilities. PiS says that the agreement is invalid because Poland was unable to negotiate fair compensation.
This combative stance towards Germany has strained relations with Berlin. It intensified after Russia invaded Ukraine amid criticism of Berlin’s dependence on Russian gas and its slowness in helping Kyiv.
<h2>Germany response:</h2>
A German Foreign Office spokesperson said the German government’s position is unchanged adding that the reparations question is closed. Said the spokesperson:
<blockquote>
Poland renounced further reparations a long time ago, in 1953, and has since repeatedly confirmed this.
</blockquote>
Poland’s biggest trade partner and a fellow member of the European Union and NATO, Germany has previously said all financial claims linked to World War Two have been settled.
Meanwhile, Donald Tusk, leader of Poland’s biggest opposition party Civic Platform, said on Thursday that Kaczynski’s announcement was “not about reparations”. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s about an internal political campaign to rebuild support for the ruling party.
</blockquote>
PiS is still leading in most opinion polls but its edge over Civic Platform has narrowed in recent months amid criticism of its handling of surging inflation and an economic slowdown.
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Poland Asks Germany For War Reparations Of 1.3 Trillion Euros

South African football club, Mamelodi Sundowns, has invited Germany-based Young Warriors players, Seth Patrick and Shama Bako for two-week trials beginning next week.
The duo is contracted by German fourth-tier club VfB Lubeck, where they play within the club’s junior ranks.
The two youngsters were part of the Tonderai Ndiraya-coached Zimbabwe Under-23 side that beat Mozambique 2-0 on aggregate in the 2019 Under-23 Afcon qualifier in March.
Sundowns wrote a letter to the players’ representative inviting the young players for trials at the club. The letter, written by the club’s administration manager Belinda Ndlovu dated July 5, 2019 reads in part:
<blockquote>We confirm that the above-mentioned youth soccer players have been invited by us to attend trials at our club for a period of approximately 14 days with immediate effect to travel to South Africa on the 12th of July 2019.
They will be responsible for their own flights/bus and Sundowns FC will be responsible for their accommodation, transport and meals for the duration of their stay in South Africa.</blockquote>
Several Zimbabwean footballers have played for the Brazilians over the years. Among them is Cuthbert Malajila who left the club after six years and Khama Billiat who left the club last year for Kaizer Chiefs after a five-year stint.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2019/07/07/mamelodi-sundowns-courts-young-warriors-starlets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Standard</a></h4>

Mamelodi Sundowns After German-based Young Warriors

Germany is ready to engage Zimbabwe provided that the country implements political and economic reforms.
German ambassador to Zimbabwe Thorsten Hutter told the Zimbabwe Independent that political reforms entail a commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights. Said, Hutter:
<blockquote>Germany has repeatedly stated that we are willing to engage with Zimbabwe, provided that political and economic reforms are implemented. In terms of political reforms, this includes, among other things, a commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights.
The government has on numerous occasions pledged its commitment to political and economic reforms. Let me underline that these reforms are not to be implemented for Germany’s sake, but for the sake of Zimbabwe.
Recent events have cast a shadow over the government’s willingness to implement reforms. I hope that this commitment will be upheld.
The Zimbabwean government has been arguing that its reaction to the protests was necessary in order to protect rights of citizens, including their property, and to restore law and order.
I want to underline that governments have the responsibility to do that. However, the crackdown has resulted in deplorable deaths and numerous human rights violations have been reported.
These incidents obviously raise the question whether the reaction by the government was proportionate. The President has announced that incidents of abuses and human rights violations will be investigated. We will follow this investigation process closely.</blockquote>
<h4>Related:</h4>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title">
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/03/01/german-envoy-calls-on-sadc-to-facilitate-zim-dialogue/">German Envoy Calls On SADC To Facilitate Zim Dialogue</a></h4>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2019/03/01/sadc-should-mediate-in-zim-crisis-envoy/">Zimbabwe Independent</a></h4>

Germany Says Will  Closely Follow Investigations Into ShutDownZim Killings

Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa is reported to be spearheading the government’s efforts to woo German Airline, Lufthansa back to the country. Lufthansa pulled out of Zimbabwe in 2008 at the height of hyperinflation. Sources who spoke to Business Times said,
<blockquote>During the meeting with high-level Germany officials, Minister Chinamasa discussed the need to consider recalling the excellent air services that used to link the two countries when Lufthansa Airlines used to fly from Frankfurt to Harare. He urged Germany to consider re-opening the routes. The direct flights would encourage increased tourist arrivals and transportation of goods and products between the two countries. The flight used to transport high volumes of horticultural products to the German market which was Zimbabwe’s biggest European trading partner.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://businesstimes.co.zw/govt-makes-fresh-efforts-to-woo-lufthansa/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Business Times</a>

Govt Appeals For German Airline, Lufthansa To Resume Flights

Speaking to journalists in Mauritania, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo said after the AU Summit, he will be heading to Netherlands, while Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa will be going to Germany as President Mnangagwa’s special envoys.
Moyo said he will address a Dutch business forum in the Netherlands and Zimbabweans based there. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>As you are aware things are moving. The re-engagement process is a moving target. As far as we are concerned, it cannot be stopped. After this AU conference, I shall be proceeding to the Netherlands specifically as a special envoy. But as I go there, we are expecting that I will then address a business forum of the Dutch community and I will also have an opportunity to address Zimbabweans who are based in the Netherlands. Equally so, my colleague Minister Chinamasa is going to be proceeding to Germany, again as a special envoy. So, we are proceeding and all what we are waiting for is the harvesting of our re-engagement process.</blockquote>
Moyo said Zimbabwe will host a horticultural expo in September where the Netherlands will play an important role.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/2-special-envoys-for-germany-holland/">Herald</a>

Sibusiso Moyo Heads To Netherlands, Chinamasa For Germany

Speaking to journalists after meeting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday, Germany Ambassador to Zimbabwe Thorsten Hutter denied reports that his country refused entry to Zimbabwe’s envoy to Europe, Minister Patrick Chinamasa.
He noted that Germany was under a caretaker government, so it would, therefore, not be advised to engage on long-term programmes without substantive authorities. Said Hutter:
<blockquote>I said he (Cde Chinamasa) is welcome in Germany and that things at the moment are seen as making it less opportune for him to come at this very moment, and one of the reasons I gave is that we have only a caretaker government. Of course, we want to engage with the envoy on forward-looking issues, which will then be the responsibility of the full government in Germany to deal with.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chinamasa-not-barred-from-bonn/">Herald</a>

Chinamasa Not Blocked From Germany

Women’s Affairs Minister <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Nyasha_Chikwinya">Nyasha Chikwinya</a> told The Herald in an interview that the Zimbabwean women were now stuck in Germany after being promised free and affordable university studies by human trafficking agents disguised as college facilitators.
Said Chikwinya:
<blockquote>I have also been talking to our ambassador in Germany; there is something happening there and I will be talking to you about that. There is some place in Germany where they (the women) are being taken to, Zimbabweans, and being kept there. This is true, we do not come here to lie, these are facts. I was talking to my permanent secretary that we have another issue that is coming up and we have so many girls that have gone out there. The programme started as a rosy one where they would be learning language and go to school later, but the tables have turned and this is what I wanted to share with you and this is what we are taking on board as Zimbabwe.</blockquote>
Last year, several Zimbabwean women were rescued with the help of teams that went to Kuwait where they were being held as slaves after being promised work as domestic workers. A number of Zimbabweans, including some workers at the Kuwait embassy, have since appeared in court facing several charges of human trafficking.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/govt-acts-on-human-trafficking-fears/">Herald</a>

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