1. Wolf inclusion in the federal hunting law — the Bundesrat debate
On Friday morning the Bundesrat is at the center of a heated debate about adding the wolf to the federal hunting law (Bundesjagdgesetz). The federal government argues this step will help resolve conflicts between wolves and livestock farming. In 2024 roughly 1,100 attack incidents led to about 4,300 farm animals being killed or injured. The move follows a downgrade of the wolf’s protection status under the Bern Convention, effective 7 March 2025. After a first reading in the Bundestag on 14 January 2026, where Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) defended the draft by pointing to high wolf densities and received broad support from CDU/CSU and SPD, several federal states now criticize the government for acting alone and demand changes.
What’s at stake
- Livestock protection and compensation for shepherds and farmers.
- Regional wildlife and nature conservation through local management.
- Animal welfare concerns about hunting seasons and methods.
- Legal and political consequences from the Bundesrat decision expected in spring.
Arguments for and against
Supporters say adding the wolf to the hunting law will allow regional management and targeted removals where wolf densities are high, helping protect grazing animals and reduce farmer losses. Critics — including the Deutscher Tierschutzbund — warn that proposed hunting seasons from July to October would harm juveniles and disrupt pack structures. They also condemn methods such as traps and shotgun or pellet shots, calling them potentially cruel and risky for wolf populations and ecosystem balance. Some conservation initiatives, for example in Baden-Württemberg, are taking legal action against individual culls.
- Support: targeted wolf management, relief for livestock owners, regional decision-making.
- Opposition: animal welfare risks, effects on pack stability, controversial hunting methods.
- Political friction: states asking for changes after feeling sidelined by the federal approach.
Timeline and next steps
The bill passed a first reading in the Bundestag on 14 January 2026 and is expected to reach the Bundesrat in the coming weeks. With the Bern Convention status change already in effect since 7 March 2025, the government aims for Bundesrat approval in spring 2026. If approved, the law would allow more removals and regional management measures. Observers say legal challenges and public campaigns from conservation groups could affect how the law is implemented.
2. The ‘Melania’ documentary opens amid controversy
The documentary ‘Melania’, produced with a reported budget of $75 million, opens in cinemas while generating strong debate. The film focuses on the 20 days before Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, told from the First Lady’s perspective and including exclusive White House material. Melania Trump is reported to receive at least $28 million as a producer. The release has been controversial: it arrived during heightened sensitivity after the death of Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE in Minneapolis, prompting critics to call the timing offensive.
Distribution and box office
- Production: financed by a major studio with a $75 million budget.
- Early sales: pre-sale performance is weak in some markets.
- Territory notes: South Africa announced a boycott, while parts of Europe and Switzerland screen it through select cinema chains and streaming platforms.
Controversies and ethical concerns
Criticism of the film is twofold. First, timing and subject matter have been judged insensitive by some, given current crises related to immigration enforcement. Second, the director, Brett Ratner, remains a controversial figure after #MeToo allegations, and more than half the crew reportedly chose to remain anonymous. These factors have fed calls for boycotts and raised ethical questions about platforming certain voices and stories.
- Timing clashes with public outrage over unrelated but sensitive events.
- Director’s reputation and crew anonymity raise transparency concerns.
- Commercial risk: controversy may depress ticket sales even while spurring publicity.
What to watch
Key things to follow are critical reception, audience turnout in different regions, streaming performance where it becomes available, and any further public or political responses such as boycotts or protests. The film’s fate may depend as much on public sentiment as on its artistic merits.
3. Plans to make driving licences cheaper — what it means for learners and schools
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has been working since October 2025 on a reform to reduce the average driving licence cost (currently about €3,400) by using driving simulators, greater digitalization, and fewer mandatory special driving lessons. The reform is slated for implementation in 2027. Driving school associations warn the changes could cause insolvencies if registrations drop during the transition. Minister Schnieder has emphasized that ‘mobility is not a privilege’ (in German, ‘Mobilität kein Privileg’) and urges people not to wait for the reform before learning to drive.
How the reform would work
- Introduce simulator-based training to replace some on-road lessons.
- Digitize theory lessons and testing to streamline preparation and reduce costs.
- Reduce the number of mandatory special lessons where safe alternatives exist.
- Gradual rollout with full implementation expected in 2027 to allow adaptation by schools and regulators.
Impact on driving schools and learners
Driving schools fear a temporary drop in enrollments as some potential learners wait for lower prices, which could threaten the financial stability of smaller schools. Learners face a choice: start now and possibly face higher immediate costs, or wait and risk being part of a backlog or changes in training formats. The ministry and industry groups are discussing transition support and measures to protect small businesses.
When to act — two opposing pieces of advice
- Do it now: register and start lessons to avoid potential price rises, capacity limits, or uncertainty during the reform period.
- Wait for reform: if the promised measures are implemented in 2027, training could become significantly cheaper with more simulator-based and digital options.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If you need a licence soon for work or study, starting now is sensible. If you can wait and want to minimize cost, keeping an eye on reform progress and planning for 2027 may pay off.
