By Jack Turner
Data Breach
This week was marred by the scandal of a data breach, which affected 994 federal and state politicians, touching almost all parties represented in the Bundestag, save for the AfD. Said breach contained contact details such as mobile phone numbers and addresses, as well as party-internal documents. In some 50 serious cases, very personal data has been published - such as ID card images, direct debits, family member chats and credit card information, heaping pressure on Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer. He has promised total transparency in the investigation. Lowering tax revenue
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz says the “fat years” of high tax revenue have come to an end. Since 2014, Germany has become accustomed to strong economic growth, high wages and record-low unemployment, with the German government spending less than it has received in tax revenues in every fiscal year, i.e. a tax surplus. However, following international and domestic problems, the economy contracted for the first time in more than three years in the third quarter of 2018, prompting debate on tax, specifically the Solidaritätszuschlag (solidarity surcharge). Transport Chaos
the severe snowy weather in Germany is wreaking havoc on transport in Bavaria and Upper Austria, with flight cancellations, blocked motorways and avalanche warnings.
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