Global Scans · Germany · Weekly Summary

• [New] In December, the climate-fanatical European Commission watered down its planned ban on petrol and diesel cars, fearing a collapse of Germany's car industry. Spiked
• [New] Europe (Germany and France especially) is stepping in with new weapons and money because they realize that if Ukraine loses, Russia will be right on NATO's doorstep. Foreign Affairs Forum
• [New] In 2026, a defining milestone in European aviation history will be reached as Lufthansa, Germany flagship carrier, completes 100 years of operations, marking a full century of contribution to global aviation, travel, and tourism. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Leipzig, Germany, has quietly emerged as a dynamic city for professionals in technology, creative industries, logistics, and startups, attracting both domestic and international talent seeking opportunities beyond the high-cost hubs of Berlin or Munich. 101.9 The Wolf
• [New] The German supplier will debut a planetary gear actuator developed specifically for humanoid robots, combining a two-stage planetary gearbox, electric motor, encoder, and controller in a compact unit designed and manufactured entirely in-house. Automotive World
• [New] Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced plans to build 71 gas-fired power plants by 2035 to secure backup during recurring wind and solar droughts, alongside subsidies for industrial electricity prices. / Germany Clintel
• [New] Within the eurozone itself, we expect a growth convergence, as Germany finally starts to see some meaningful growth again, while the outperformance of southern Europe is expected to see some headwinds from the end of the EU's Recovery & Resilience Facility. ABN AMRO Bank
• [New] Europe's hopes of a return to growth in 2026 now depend on Germany's €1 tn debt funded spending drive on infrastructure and defence - a douse of military Keynesianism. Counterfire
• [New] Together with NBIM and Dutch pension manager APG, it will invest as much as €9.5 billion (S$ 14.4 billion) in the next four years into TenneT's German power grid in exchange for a 46% stake. ST
• [New] The German government has continuously amended domestic investment screening provisions in recent years to transpose the relevant EU framework and address evolving security risks. United States Department of State
• [New] Germany's federal government provides guarantees for investments by Germany-based companies in developing and emerging economies and countries in transition to insure them against political risks. United States Department of State
• [New] The CDU/CSU - SPD government has now agreed that Germany's long-term unemployment benefit will be reworked and named Neue Grundsicherung. IamExpat in Germany
• [New] In 2026, there will be changes in the working world in Germany, affecting immigrants, pensioners and minijobbers. IamExpat in Germany
• [New] Wages will increase in two stages over 2026 and 2027. / Germany IamExpat in Germany
• [New] Alongside the usual tax changes, the German government will introduce a tax cut package in 2026. IamExpat in Germany
• [New] Starting in 2026, Germany's automatic credit scoring system, SCHUFA, will be simplified, more transparent and available online. IamExpat in Germany
• [New] The Central Association of the German Construction Industry forecasts a slight real increase in sector turnover of 0.6% in 2025, reversing three years of decline, followed by a 2.5% surge in 2026. / Germany Yahoo Finance
• [New] The number of employed persons in Germany will slightly decrease again in 2026: After an increase of about 10,000 employees in 2025, a decline of around 20,000 people is expected in 2026. Industrial Digital Transformation
• [New] Germany plans to spend EUR 35 billion ($41 billion) on space-related defence projects by 2030, most of which is expected to go toward German companies. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] The Alternative for Germany will seek power in next year's state elections. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] Other European nations - such as France and Germany - have recently re-introduced some form of voluntary national service in response to the threat posed by Russia. BBC News
• [New] Output is expected to fall in key economies, including the US (-4.5% in 2026), Mexico (-1.1% in 2026), South Korea (-6.3% in 2026) and Germany, while Europe as a whole remains in troubled waters with shrinking margins, higher credit risk and only a modest production rebound in 2026. CIN

Last updated: 06 January 2026