Weekly happenings at the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
In a series of significant moves, the German government has been actively shaping its policies to address various issues, from climate change to social welfare. Here's a summary of some of the key developments:
Climate Action
The National Emissions Trading Act is set for expansion, aiming to ensure comprehensive CO2 pricing of all fossil fuels in Germany from January 1, 2024. This includes waste incineration and oil refinery plants. The Weddell Sea, a biodiversity treasure trove, is also slated for protection, with a proposal for its designation as a protected area within the "Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources" to be voted on in October.
Social Welfare and Labour
The obligation to submit a social security card will be abolished, and employers will be able to automatically retrieve the insurance number from the data center of the pension insurance. For artists insured through the artists' social insurance fund, a transitional regulation is provided for the pandemic-related temporarily increased earnings limit for non-artistic self-employed activities.
For disabled individuals, earnings limits will be significantly increased, and parental leave will be communicated to social security agencies by employers through an electronic notification procedure. The draft bill also provides for the abolition of the earnings limit for early retirement pensions.
Healthcare
The German military engagement in Iraq will continue to combat IS terrorism and stabilize Iraq, with an upper limit of 500 soldiers and an extension until 31st October 2023. For 2023, a deficit of 17 billion euros is expected in the statutory health insurance (SHI) system. The draft bill of the federal government aims to prevent an excessive increase in additional contributions for insured persons and to financially stabilize the SHI system.
The draft bill of the federal government also aims to exchange criminal record information with third countries, including the United Kingdom (UK) and for the final implementation of the EU regulation on the "flagging" system.
Legal and Administrative Measures
An amendment to the criminal code explicitly makes the public approval, denial, or gross trivialization of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes punishable if the act is committed in a way that is capable of inciting hatred or violence and disturbing public peace. A uniform legal basis for the certification obligation of employers will be created to relieve citizens and employers in processing.
The Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF) will be reactivated and realigned, with a credit authorization of 200 billion euros for the year 2022. Additionally, a draft bill is proposing the creation of a uniform legal basis for the certification obligation of employers to streamline processes for citizens and employers.
Insurance Protection for Newcomers
The insurance protection for newcomers in the statutory health and long-term care insurance will be further developed. However, specific details from a draft bill discussed during the 62nd Session on October 19, 2022, regarding staffing levels and relief for nursing staff in hospitals in Germany could not be found in the current search results. For a precise answer, it would be necessary to consult official Bundestag or state parliament records, government health ministry releases, or specialized German legislative tracking sources for that date and session.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the German government is proposing a draft bill to financially stabilize the statutory health insurance (SHI) system for 2023, aiming to prevent an excessive increase in additional contributions for insured persons.
- Education-and-self-development becomes a focus as the German government plans to exchange criminal record information with third countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), for the final implementation of the EU regulation on the "flagging" system.
- In the context of finance, the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF) is scheduled for reactivation and realignment, with a credit authorization of 200 billion euros for the year 2022.
- Politics and social welfare intersect as the German government is planning to abolish the obligation to submit a social security card, making it easier for employers to retrieve insurance numbers automatically from the data center of the pension insurance.
){kind=link}