Daily Briefing 22.10.2026, 16:54 (CEST)

German tax revenue projected to rise more next year amid solid growth

German tax revenue is projected to rise more than previously expected next year, buoyed by robust economic growth. 

Germany's Merz pledges support for EU accession of West Balkan states

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday called for the Western Balkan states to be granted quick accession to the European Union.

Mediation between Lufthansa and its pilots ends without agreement

A round of talks between the German airline Lufthansa and the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) ended without success on Thursday, though there is no threat of an imminent strike, as a...

German rail punctuality unlikely to improve before 2029, official says

Germany's long-distance trains are becoming increasingly unpunctual, despite the extensive track refurbishment work that is being carried out on the country's rail network.

Direct Berlin–Paris rail service set to resume by December

Trains between Berlin and Paris are expected to be running without interruption again by mid-December at the latest. 

German actor August Diehl to receive Europa film award

German actor August Diehl, known internationally for his part in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, is to receive the Europa film award. 

Germany arrests Ukrainian for spying on defence production for Russia

A Ukrainian man suspected of gathering defence-related information for Russian intelligence has been arrested in north-eastern Germany, prosecutors said on Thursday.

Global security flaw continues to disrupt numerous German websites

Numerous websites across Germany remained affected by a global security vulnerability on Thursday, with government portals, hospitals and universities among those experiencing disruptions.

Survey: German SMEs hold back investment amid economic uncertainty

Small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany continue to struggle with investment, with just 40% of the country's 3.9 million SMEs carrying out investment projects in 2025, according to an...

Germany adds almost half a million battery systems in nine months

Battery storage is booming in Germany, with almost half a million systems brought online in the first nine months of 2026, according to the country's solar industry association.