Germany news: Major borrowing, Iran turbulence clouds budget

· DW

The Cabinet hopes to sign off on core points of its 2027 budget, so it can start to move through parliament. Germany already plans massive borrowing next year, before adequately factoring in Iran-based costs. Follow DW.

  • Plans to borrow almost €200 billion in 2027 come before the full costs of the Iran war can be calculated
  • Various new stealth taxes, on things like cryptocurrency holdings and sugary drinks, are being planned to plug some fiscal gaps 
  • A Kazakh man has been arrested in Berlin on suspicion of spying for Russia
  • Contentious reforms to statutory healthcare insurance are also up for discussion
  • Roughly 1 in 5 new jobs in Germany offer work-from-home options, study finds
  • A special barge is helping to guide the long-stranded humpback whale 'Timmy' back out to sea

Here is a roundup of the top headlines and human interest stories from Germany on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.