Today (October 15, 2008) the Federal Cabinet decided to renew the administrative regulations regarding the Federal law of Central Register(Bundeszentralregister). Currently to receive notifications about entries in the register one has to apply in writing and paper form. In the future this shall be possible via a secure internet system.
The new act shall become law on January 1, 2009. The Federal Assembly (Bundesrat) needs to approve.Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
German Minister of Justice wants full equality for gay couples
On Wednesday, September 24, the German Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, outlined in a speech in front of the parliament the governments plan to continue the process to fully equalize hetero- and homosexual relationships. Since the Law on Relationships (Lebenspartnerschaftsgestz) was enacted in 2001 a huge step has been done into the right direction, she said, but there are still areas that need improvement .
Zypries continued, that a modern society has to accept people from all paths of life, and that Germany in the international community has one of the more advanced laws.
Currently the Ministry of Justice is researching the possibilities to allow the adoption of children by couples who are not married in the traditional way.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Heads roll in German Bank Scandal
Heads are rolling in the wake of the scandal surrounding the transfer of €300 million ($426 million) by KfW to Lehman Brothers on the day the financial institutions collapsed.
On Thursday, September 18, the German Economics Minister Michael Glos, announced the suspension of two managing directors, Detlef Leinberger and Peter Fleischer, as well as the head of the bank's risk-management department.
On Thursday, September 18, the German Economics Minister Michael Glos, announced the suspension of two managing directors, Detlef Leinberger and Peter Fleischer, as well as the head of the bank's risk-management department.
KfW is a German government-owned development bank, based in Frankfurt. It name comes from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, meaning Reconstruction Credit Institute, and it was formed after World War II as part of the Marshall Plan. The bank is well known for lending money to small and med-sized businesses - not, to failing Wall Street firms. Business leaders as well as German politicians sit on the administrative board.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
New Legal Services Act in Force in Germany
On 1 July 2008, the Legal Services Act (Rechtsberatungsgesetz - RDG) came into force in the framework of a fundamental reform. This new law replaced the Law on Legal Counseling (RBerG), and, on the basis of a new act on reform of legal counseling, the Law on Legal Counseling ceased to have effect on that same day. The declared goal of the Legal Services Act is to protect those seeking legal recourse whilst encouraging civic engagement in the field of legal counseling through liberalization.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Chancellor Merkel named most powerful woman
I know, I know - I read it too. German chancellor Angela Merkel was named the most powerful woman in the world. Obviously no one asked me for my opinion, as I would have placed here somewhere between Michelle Bachelet and Christine Poon. Still think she should open her mouth and voice her opinion, and say what's right and just.
But maybe that tells us something that they chose a woman who is admired for her nice outfit at the Wagner Festival and who is finally liked by French President Nicolas Sarkozy (remember - the one who was drunk a G8 summit speech).
Now I have to think about my choice ...
But maybe that tells us something that they chose a woman who is admired for her nice outfit at the Wagner Festival and who is finally liked by French President Nicolas Sarkozy (remember - the one who was drunk a G8 summit speech).
Now I have to think about my choice ...
Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property comes into force
On September 1, 2008 the law implementing the EU Enforcement Directive to protect intellectual property will come into force. This Act facilitates the fight against piracy and strengthen intellectual property rights.
The law puts the Directive 2004/48/EC with an amendment of several laws for the protection of intellectual property in action. These acts are, the Patent law, Utility model law, Trademark law, Semiconductor Protection Act, the Copyright Act, Designs Act, and the Plant Variety Protection Act.
Apart from these, especially for companies, important modifications, the law provides a significant improvement for consumers. Currently consumers who violate copyright laws can expect hefty fines, even if they have no business interest. This will be impossible in the future. Those consumers who can prove that they did not have any such interest will have to pay a maximum fine of Euro 100.-.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Why does Germany's Chancellor Merkel not stand-up against Putin?
I've had it! Everywhere I read that the German chancellor Angela Merkel stands-up against Vladimir Putin in the Georgia crisis, but honestly, I don't see it.
Germany traditionally has close ties to Russia, and although they gotten a bit slippery with Schroeder on Gazprom's payroll, they are still excellent. Because of those good relations the countries of Europe trust that, "Germany is the one country that can warn Russia," as James Sherr, director of the Russia and Eurasia Program of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, points out. "Russia does listen to what Germany says. If Germany can make clear statements about the consequences facing Russia over Georgia and whatever else it might decide to do, it will have an impact on Russia." But does Merkel deliver on that?
No. So far Merkel has done everything to avoid being a mediator between Russia and Georgia. Although this might be understandable, it shows, that all the times before, when she talked to Putin over Kosovo, failings in the Russian presidential elections, and human rights, it was nothing but lip service. Looking at Merkels upbringing this does not surprise me.
Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg and moved with her family to Templin in Eastern Germany, where her father was pastor in a Lutheran church. Interestingly the family was always able to travel freely to Western Germany, she was able to attend university and they had other privileges that were unusual for Families who were active churchgoers (which a pastors family is). According to Gerd Langguth, author of a book about Angela Merkel, the family's ability to travel freely from East to West Germany, as well as their possession of two automobiles, leads to the conclusion that Merkel's father had a 'sympathetic' relationship with the communist regime, since such freedom and perquisites for a Christian pastor and his family would have been otherwise impossible in East Germany.
This is the same regime, that for decades suppressed individual freedom, and human rights, incarcerated people for their faith and did not allow those, who stood up for their beliefs to get a higher education. Angela Merkel never had any problems during the times of the GDR and I guess, she still has to learn to stand up for what's good and right for country and people.
Now is the time!
Germany traditionally has close ties to Russia, and although they gotten a bit slippery with Schroeder on Gazprom's payroll, they are still excellent. Because of those good relations the countries of Europe trust that, "Germany is the one country that can warn Russia," as James Sherr, director of the Russia and Eurasia Program of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, points out. "Russia does listen to what Germany says. If Germany can make clear statements about the consequences facing Russia over Georgia and whatever else it might decide to do, it will have an impact on Russia." But does Merkel deliver on that?
No. So far Merkel has done everything to avoid being a mediator between Russia and Georgia. Although this might be understandable, it shows, that all the times before, when she talked to Putin over Kosovo, failings in the Russian presidential elections, and human rights, it was nothing but lip service. Looking at Merkels upbringing this does not surprise me.
Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg and moved with her family to Templin in Eastern Germany, where her father was pastor in a Lutheran church. Interestingly the family was always able to travel freely to Western Germany, she was able to attend university and they had other privileges that were unusual for Families who were active churchgoers (which a pastors family is). According to Gerd Langguth, author of a book about Angela Merkel, the family's ability to travel freely from East to West Germany, as well as their possession of two automobiles, leads to the conclusion that Merkel's father had a 'sympathetic' relationship with the communist regime, since such freedom and perquisites for a Christian pastor and his family would have been otherwise impossible in East Germany.
This is the same regime, that for decades suppressed individual freedom, and human rights, incarcerated people for their faith and did not allow those, who stood up for their beliefs to get a higher education. Angela Merkel never had any problems during the times of the GDR and I guess, she still has to learn to stand up for what's good and right for country and people.
Now is the time!
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