Germany news: CDU faces opposition over sick notes proposal

DW News · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Farah BahgatPublished February 23, 2026last updated February 23, 2026German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party wants to end the option of employees getting a sick note by phone. Its coalition partner, however, opposes the proposal. DW has the latest.https://p.dw.com/p/59EhaMerz has criticized the average of 14.5 sick days taken by employees in GermanyImage: Thilo Schmuelgen/REUTERSSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know The center-left Social Democrats are opposing a proposal by their coalition partner, the center-right CDU, to scrap telephone sick notes A new report shows that German machinery exports declined amid US tariffs Germany is calling on Hungary to reconsider a decision to block a new package of EU sanctions against Russia Here are the latest stories making headlines in Germany on Monday, February 23: Skip next section Germany calls on Hungary to reconsider block on Russia sanctionsFebruary 23, 2026Germany calls on Hungary to reconsider block on Russia sanctionsWadephul made the remarks as the EU's 27 foreign ministers gathering in BrusselsImage: Virginia Mayo/AP/dpa/picture allianceGerman Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was "astonished by the Hungarian position" after Budapest vowed to block new EU sanctions on Russia. "I do not believe ‌it is right for ‌Hungary ​to betray its own struggle for freedom and ​European sovereignty," Wadephul said. "That is why we ⁠will ​once ​again present our arguments ​to the Hungarians ‌in Budapest, but also here ​in ⁠Brussels, of course, and ask ⁠them ​to reconsider their position," he added. Hungary is stalling the 20th EU sanction package as it seeks to pressure Ukraine to reopen a key oil pipeline. EU sanctions must be approved by all 27 countries in the bloc. The Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia through Ukraine and onward to EU countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, was damaged by a Russian attack in January. https://p.dw.com/p/59EiiSkip next section German machinery exports fall for third year in a rowFebruary 23, 2026German machinery exports fall for third year in a rowGermany exported machinery and equipment worth a total of €198.5 billion ($234 billion) in 2025, declining by 1.8% compared with 2024, according to the VDMA industry association The decline, which looks even sharper at 3.3% when adjusted for inflation, marks the third consecutive year of contraction. The fall in exports came amid a trade dispute with the US and weak business in China, the VDMA said. "US tariffs, increasing protectionism, and the associated uncertainty on the world markets are hitting the export-oriented mechanical and plant engineering sector hard - and they pose major challenges for companies," VDMA chief economist Johannes Gernandt said. The association expects that exports to China will continue to decline, while high US tariffs on the steel and aluminum content of machinery weigh on business. https://p.dw.com/p/59EiuSkip next section SPD against CDU's proposal on scrapping tele sick notesFebruary 23, 2026SPD against CDU's proposal on scrapping tele sick notesA proposal by the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to end sick notes issued via telephone is facing opposition from the party's coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD). Dirk Wiese, SPD parliamentary secretary, said telephone-issued sick notes "make perfect sense." "They relieve the burden on doctors' offices and prevent further infections in waiting rooms," Wiese told daily tabloid Bild on Monday. He said the government should instead focus on taking action against the "abuse of online sick notes." "As a coalition, we should now focus on this instead of questioning sensible rules and placing patients under general suspicion," he added. Under current rules, patients who are already known to a practice and show only mild symptoms can receive a sick note by phone for up to five days. For any extension, they must see a doctor in person. CDU delegates at the party's convention over the weekend backed the proposal against tele sick notes. They argued that the easier it is to obtain a sick note, the more likely people are to make what they call a "bedside decision," choosing to call in sick without much hesitation. CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously criticized what he considers a high level of sick leave in Germany. Health Minister Nina Warken, also from the CDU, now says the regulation will be reviewed.Lazy Germany: Is more work the way back to the top?To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59ElaSkip next section Welcome to our coverageFebruary 23, 2026Welcome to our coverageMoin from Bonn, where a blue sky is slowly coming out from under the clouds after showers over the weekend. We're watching reactions come out from political parties after the CDU convention wrapped up on Saturday with some unpopular proposals, including an end to telephone-issued sick notes. Another big topic today is the US tariffs and their effects on Germany and Europe. Also on Monday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is hosting Ukraine's ambassador at the Bellevue Palace. https://p.dw.com/p/59EuEShow more posts