Bernd Thomas Riegert

Senior Political Correspondent with @dwnews

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

Pop up art gallery at the palace of the German President: Bundespräsident Steinmeier moves out of Schloss Bellevue for renovations. Contemporary artists move in, but only for two weeks. #FreiraumKunst

[DW Politics @dw_politics]

A sexual assault case has once again brought Germany’s statute of limitations for rape into the public debate.
Author Claudia Wuttke’s case is being compared to that of Gisèle Pelicot and raises key questions about how sexual violence and sexual offenses are handled in Germany.

[DW Politics @dw_politics]

Germany has failed to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) secured 104 votes in the General Assembly, falling 23 short of the required two-thirds majority. It is the first time Germany has missed out on a rotating seat.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

‘We will strike back’

to destroy infrastructure of hackers who launch cyber attacks on Germany promised Home Affairs Minister Alexander Dobrindt. A new draft law gives federal police the right to actively attack and strike even on foreign soil over the internet. #hackback

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

New power plants burning natural #gas shall replace coal powered plants in #Germany. Ambitious plans to get rid of #fossil plants faster were cut back. Neccessary to ensure power supply for industries and consumers, said Minister for economy, Katherina Reiche, in Berlin.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

@MedienfuzziShow KI fake Video. B2 können nicht von Flugzeugträgern starten. Was soll der Quarsch?

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

Solidarity with Israel and the U.S. which began an attack on #Iran. A few hundred supporters of the shah’s son, Reza Pahlawi, assembled today in Hamburg, Germany. They want a swift regime change.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

Maybe (King) Trump should send the Delta force to Russia to capture a suspect of war crimes there.

If international law is no excuse or limit anymore than get Putin.

Russia seeks "immediate clarification" on US claims that it has captured Maduro https://t.co/hocaHOlhZr

[DW Politics @dw_politics]

Germany’s defense minister urged Canada to join the German-Norwegian submarine partnership, calling it a step toward stronger collective defense in the light of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

Germany and Norway want Canada to join their huge #submarine-project. German defence minster Boris Pistorius promised benefits for #Canada during his trip to Ottawa. 12 subs to create a new Nordic Partnership.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

German Def. Sec. Pistorius arrived in Canada to „sell“ #submarines. Germany and Norway want #Canada to join a common armament project. Subs are needed to guard the North Atlantic. Will Canada strike the deal? South Korea is also bidding for Canadian investment.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

More engagement of German troops against Russian threats in the high North. During a trip to #Nato-Partner Iceland Germany‘s Def. Sec. Boris #Pistorius said he will have all the means and personell to keep his promises. Fending off #Russia’s ambitions is vital he stressed.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

„We have to fight“, said Katherina #Reiche, Germany‘s minister for economics. Germany is lacking behind in competitiveness. Even slow growth is only possible because the state is shelling out money (debt) like never before. Reiche is demanding reforms to lower social expenditure.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

More protection for German steel

Finance minister Lars Klingbeil urges the EU to agree to a subsidised price for electric power. He wants to fend off cheap #steel from China and India. Gov. promotes „Buy local European steel first.“ Steel summit with the chancellor coming soon.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

German finance minister Lars Klingbeil urges his EU-counterparts to adopt a „Jacques Delors Plan 2“ to overcome standstill in Europe. Delors invented internal market + € in the 1990s. A revolution. Klingbeil wants more investment in the EU. He is ready to compromise, he said.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

Solidarity with conductor Lahav #Shani and the Munich Philharmonics. Concert in Berlin tonight with standing ovations after a music festival in Ghent cancelled Shani‘s performance because he is jewish. Strong signal against anti-Semitism. (ex-chancellor Scholz in the audience)

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

The German government is ending all #resettlement programs for vulnerable refugees. Last year Germany accepted 4500 selected by UNHCR. This number will come down to 0. The U.S. is doing the same btw. More at @dwnews with news anchor Terry Martin.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

German chancellor #Merz is happy about President Trump’s turnaround. New Patriot systems will help Ukraine to withstand Russian attacks. Germany and others will pay 1 bn $ per system. The ‘deal’ was a German idea. Will #Trump keep his word or bow to Russia’s Putin again?

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

BSW wants to be party of peace

The populist #BSW-Party rejects 5% spending goal for defense. “Irrational”, said Sahra #Wagenknecht, BSW-chairwoman. BSW filed a complaint against results of federal elections, in which it failed to reach 5% threshold. Case still pending.

[Bernd Thomas Riegert @RiegertBernd]

The costs for Germany to service its debt will rise from 6% of the federal #budget to 12% in 2029. The spending spree will be paid by future generations. Finance minister Klingbeil promised to adhere to EU fiscal rules. However, a balanced budget is not his priority, he said.