Magdeburg memorial marks year since attack – DW – 12/20/2025

Germany’s Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has said she wants to introduce a new law that would make renting more affordable.

Hubig cited rental agreements that allow rents to automatically rise when everyday prices rise, which has had a huge impact on renters, especially since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.

Hubig explained that a new law that would limit rent increases to no more than 3.5% per year, even if prices rise rapidly, is being considered as a way to prevent uneconomical increases. New Berlin Editorial Company On Saturday.

The intention is for the law to be in effect by 2027 and apply to all rental agreements, whether pre-existing or newly signed.

Additionally, Social Democratic Minister (SPD) Hubig intends to change the law on short-term rentals because some apartments are rented for short periods to avoid the general rental limit.

Under their new proposal, short-term rentals will be limited to six months and if one stays beyond that period, the apartment will have to follow the same rental rules as normal long-term rentals.

According to a YouGov poll conducted by the German DPA news agency, more than 50% of Germans support reducing immigration involving asylum seekers.

Those surveyed were asked whether they shared Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s goal of reducing immigration of asylum seekers.

The results showed that 53% said they “completely” supported the goal, with a further 23% supporting the goal “somewhat”.

It also revealed that 15% rejected Dobrindt’s course completely or somewhat, while 9% did not feel confident in answering the question or could not answer.

Immigration controls had already been imposed by Dobrindt’s predecessor Nancy Feser, but since taking office in May, she has stepped up rejections of asylum applications and ordered officials to turn people away at the border.

Pregnant women, sick people and others from vulnerable groups were exempted.

Only 8% of those surveyed said they saw “significant change” following Dobrindt’s measures, while 42% said they saw no change.

More than 2,100 eligible voters participated in the survey conducted between December 12 and 15.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday evening to mark one year since the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market that killed six people.

The service will begin at 17:30 CET (1630 GMT) at St. John’s Church, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz among the officials who will join the grieving families of those affected by the incident on December 20, 2024.

At the time of the attack, 19:02 CET, bells will be rung in memory of the victims. Earlier in the day, at 11:00 CET, a religious memorial service will take place in the church.

Six people, including a nine-year-old boy, were killed, as well as more than 300 injured when a man drove a rental car at high speed through a Christmas market.

Since November, the alleged perpetrator has been on trial in the Magdeburg Regional Court.

You can read here how locals in the eastern city of Magdeburg are grappling with their grief a year after the attack.

Good morning! And welcome to our coverage.

Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the deaths of six people, including a nine-year-old boy, in an attack at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg.

A number of events will be held to commemorate the victims, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz set to attend a memorial service in the evening.

A recent YouGov poll also showed that more than half of Germans agree with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s goal of enforcing a tougher migration stance.

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest!