The Local Germany

Minister unveils tax break plan for families

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:59:00 +0200

German Family Minister Kristina Schröder called on Thursday for controversial tax breaks for married couples to be replaced by a more family-oriented system. But opposition leaders say the new measures are unfair and unaffordable.

Family minister wants more time with her family

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:05:00 +0200

German Family Minister Kristina Schröder could be approaching the end of her time in office, media reports hinted over the weekend. She reportedly wants to spend more time with her own family after the general election in September.

Racist terms in children's books divide Germans

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:38:00 +0100

Germans are divided over whether it is okay to use words like “negro” or “gypsy” in children’s book classics, a Bild am Sonntag survey made public on Sunday showed.

Germans hunting Mr or Ms Right not having kids

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:15:00 +0100

Germans choose not to have babies because they have not found a suitable mother or father for their child rather than due to financial concerns, a government report released on Wednesday suggests.

Family Minister in trouble for neutering God

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:29:00 +0100

Germany's conservative Family Minister Kristina Schröder has angered colleagues in her Catholic-influenced Bavarian sister party for saying that the masculine definite article "doesn't mean anything" when it comes to God.

Family minister cuts racism from fairytales

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:45:00 +0100

German Family Minister Kristina Schröder has announced she cuts discriminatory terms from children's stories — like "Negro-King" in Pippi Longstocking — when she reads them to her young daughter. She also called the Grimm fairytales "often sexist."

New grandparents 'to have time off work'

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:25:00 +0200

German grandparents could be legally entitled to time off work to help look after new grandchildren, initial details from a family ministry proposal suggest.

Minister: gay relationships share 'conservative values'

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:59:00 +0200

German Family Minister Kristina Schröder of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has said gay partnerships represent "conservative values" because of their "long-term commitment" - so they should get the same tax breaks as marriages.

Minister backs midwives' pay rise

Sat, 05 May 2012 14:20:00 +0200

German midwives are calling for a 30 percent increase in wages in light of rising insurance premiums, and have won the backing of Family Minister Kristina Schröder.

Women slam 'their' minister for new book

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0200

German Women's and Family Minister Kristina Schröder faced a storm of outrage as she presented her new book, "Danke, emanzipiert sind wir selber!" ("Thanks, we're emancipated ourselves!") in Berlin this week.

Minister calls for school 'Facebook lessons'

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:52:00 +0100

Family Minister Kristina Schröder has called on Germany’s high schools to teach the dangers of social networks on the internet.

Schröder prepares gender quota

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:46:00 +0200

German Family Minister Kristina Schröder is preparing a law to introduce a flexible gender quota ahead of a meeting with top German companies on Monday.

Schröder unveils plan to better protect kids

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:39:00 +0200

The German government is launching a new, aggressive effort to protect children and young people from abuse in families, schools and places of worship.

Family Minister Schröder expecting her first baby

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:10:00 +0100

German Family Minister Kristina Schröder is in the family way, she confirmed Wednesday, admitting she and her husband will now face the same challenge as many other couples – balancing career and parenthood.

Schröder suggests elderly take part in public service

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:37:00 +0200

With military reforms set to end both conscription and its alternative Zivildienst public service, Family Minister Kristina Schröder said Wednesday that Germany should harness the power of its ageing population to fill the volunteer gap.

Day care guarantee not in danger, minister says

Wed, 12 May 2010 10:33:00 +0200

Families will still be guaranteed a day care spot for their young children by 2013 despite Germany's worsening budgetary situation, Family Minister Kristina Schröder assured on Wednesday.