Bundestag debates reforms, benefits and new powers

09.07.2026 06:01 HotInfo 11

On July 9, Germany's Bundestag is addressing several proposals from the government and coalition, ranging from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's reform program to changes to child benefits, e-scooters, and healthcare. Merz is set to deliver a government declaration to parliament, in which references to the NATO summit and to the reforms agreed upon by the coalition leadership are expected. Tagesschau ↗

One of the proposals under discussion is the payment of child benefit without a separate application. The government aims to reduce bureaucracy with this measure, which is expected to help many parents. Lawmakers are also set to address accidents involving e-scooters. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig supports the Union's proposal to expand liability in cases where an e-scooter rider leaves the scene after an accident, leaving open the question of who will cover the damages. Tagesspiegel ↗

Parliament is also discussing the planned digital powers of investigative authorities. In the first reading, Hubig stated that the reform is meant to enable biometric comparison on the internet, for example with photographs of terrorism suspects. The Budget Committee also approved changes to the financing of heating subsidies, with the subsidies to be more graduated according to income. Die Zeit ↗

The opposition from the Greens and the Left party wants to achieve more time at the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe to debate the health insurance fund reform and to secure a postponement of the vote before the summer recess. The Left party also states that 10,000 tenants have used its app against excessively high rents to alert the authorities. Another topic is the rules on sick leave, which are meant to make it harder to obtain a certificate of incapacity for work. Tagesspiegel ↗

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