Merz calls for monetary policy dialogue with China

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday called for a dialogue with China over its monetary policy.

Speaking during a speech at the Adenauer School of Government at the University of Cologne, Merz argued that the European Union could not win against a competitor that artificially manipulates its currency.

“We ​are now trying to steer the dialogue with ​China toward a solution … an attempt to ⁠persuade ​China to ​allow its own currency ​to float freely, ‌including in the context ​of competition ⁠in the capital markets,” Merz ⁠said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Monday announced it had summoned the German ambassador, as per a statement on Telegram that did not elaborate on the reason.

The move came barely a few hours after Berlin had announced summoning Moscow’s envoy over Russian cybersecurity attacks targeting the European Union (see our entry below).

As hot weather continues to drag on in Germany, a study has revealed that around one in three people have personally experienced heat-induced problems, a rise from previous years.

The study was commissioned by the health insurance provider DAK-Gesundheit.

The most common problems reported include:

• Fatigue (71%)
• Sleep issues (68%)
• Circulatory problems (64%)
• Headaches (52%)
• Dizziness (32%)
• Loss of appetite (27%)
• Confusion (7%)

Women who reported suffering due to the heat were almost double the men (40% versus 21%).

Around 5% of those surveyed needed to consult a doctor regarding their heat-induced symptoms. Around 13% more did not but in retrospect believed they should have.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed reported extreme concern regarding the heat, with three-quarters believing the existing heat protection measures are insufficient.

Nearly 60% of the respondents think schools and nurseries are severely restricted by the heat. During the historic heatwave which engulfed much of Europe in late June, many educational facilities were closed nationwide to protect the children.

The heat report surveyed 1,519 German citizens aged 18 and over from June 22 until July 1.

Germany has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Berlin on Monday to protest cyberattacks targeting the European Union.

In a post on X, the Foreign Ministry said that cyberattacks against Germany, EU partners and Ukraine were unacceptable and would be met decisively, including with additional sanctions.

In a statement on Monday, the EU announced sanctions on Russia over cyber attacks, saying targets have included France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Finland.

Germany’s Volkswagen warned its staff that it may need to cut some 50,000 jobs to match its rivals’ competitiveness, as per an internal memo.

The memo effectively confirms news that Germany’s giant car manufacturer is looking to cut up to 100,000 positions.

In the memo, seen by the Reuters news agency, VW CEO Oliver Blume said the group has calculated a cost disadvantage of 20% versus comparable companies.

“We are currently assessing across all brands, companies ​and regions how many adjustments are actually necessary and feasible,” Blume said in the document.

Reuters cited unnamed sources as saying labor representatives have blocked the proposals to cut jobs and possibly close four factories.

“As of today, we still cannot confirm competitive use cases for the plants of ⁠Emden, Hanover, Zwickau ​and Neckarsulm in the 2030s,” Blume said in the memo.

He stressed he preferred “intelligent solutions” to closures. Previously, Blume had floated the idea of servicing the defense industry or producing Chinese Volkswagen models in Europe to keep underutilized factories useful.

VW had already agreed to cutting 50,000 jobs across the group.

A German court has sentenced a man and a woman to lengthy prison sentences for enslaving and abusing two Yazidi girls under the so-called “Islamic State” group in Iraq.

The Iraqi couple were convicted of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. They were also convicted of sexually abusing children and aiding and abetting the listed offenses.

The man was sentenced to life in prison, while his former partner was given a juvenile sentence of nine and a half years.

Read DW’S full report on the verdict here.

Germany’s coalition government plans to increase tobacco duty more sharply than previously planned.

A report by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) newspapers cited a drafting guide from the Ministry of Finance showing a gradual rise in the price of cigarette packets to reach around €12 (roughly $13.7), up from €8 currently.

This represented around a 40-cent increase than recently decided. The tax on fine-cut tobacco, which is used for hand-rolled cigarettes, is also due to be increased.

The RND report said the hike was to fill a budget hole.

“The increase also serves to protect public health and is in line with the federal government’s aim of reducing smoking rates among young people and adults,” RND quoted government sources as saying.

Around a quarter of Germans smoke regularly, per figures from the EU statistics office Eurostat. This includes citizens 15 and older who smoke boxed cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or a pipe but does not include other tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes.

A US citizen infected with the Ebola virus has landed in Germany and was admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital early on Monday.

The patient was working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a severe Ebola outbreak is spinning out of control.

The patient arrived at the hospital’s special isolation unit at around 3 a.m. local time (0100GMT) after contracting the Bundibugyo variant of the virus in Congo, according to the hospital.

“The patient’s ‌condition ​is currently stable,” said Timo Wolf, head of the special isolation unit.

The hospital said the patient was being treated in complete isolation, in a unit structurally and organizationally separate from the rest of the facility, stressing there was no risk to the public or other patients.

This is the second US citizen to receive treatment in Germany after contracting the Ebola virus. Previously, an American doctor was admitted to Berlin’s Charite hospital for treatment and was discharged two weeks later.

The latest Ebola outbreak has been particularly difficult to contain, partly because the Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or specific treatment. As of Sunday, the DRC recorded 1,926 laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases and 702 confirmed deaths.

Good morning from another sunny and warm summer day in our DW newsroom in Bonn.

Today, reports are emerging that Friedrich Merz’s ruling coalition plans to increase tobacco duties higher than previously planned, which could affect some 25% of the German population.

In Bavaria, a court has sentenced an Iraqi couple over enslaving two Yazidi girls.

Meanwhile in the west of the country, Frankfurt University Hospital has admitted a US citizen infected with the Ebola virus.

This blog will give you all the latest on all things Germany. Stay tuned!