Germany moves trucks to roads as Rhine drought chokes shipping lanes

Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger unveiled a package of emergency measures on Thursday after critically low water levels on the Rhine began strangling one of Europe's most important inland shipping arteries. The moves include temporary exemptions to the Sunday and holiday driving ban for lorries carrying oil, steel and other essential goods, a pledge by DB Cargo to absorb more freight on the rail network, and a pause on motorway construction near canals where it would impede remaining vessel traffic.

The minister acknowledged the limits of government action. "We can't influence the weather, but we could make sure that our economy gets through these difficult weeks better," Bilger told reporters after a meeting with industry groups at his ministry's Bonn headquarters. The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) welcomed the steps, though economists warn the drought will still dent output in energy-intensive sectors that rely on barge deliveries of coal and raw materials.

Cabinet reshuffle fails to arrest polling slide

Chancellor Friedrich Merz had hoped a recent cabinet shake-up, triggered by the resignation of Jens Spahn, would reset public confidence. The latest DeutschlandTrend survey for ARD suggests otherwise. Two-thirds of respondents say the government will perform just as badly (57 per cent) or worse (11 per cent) than before. Only 24 per cent expect improvement or stability.

Overall satisfaction with the federal government stands at 13 per cent, with 85 per cent dissatisfied. The Union bloc has slipped to 21 per cent support, while the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has climbed to 28 per cent, its highest level in the survey's history. The two parties have effectively swapped positions since the February 2025 Bundestag election, when the Union won 28.5 per cent and the AfD 20.8 per cent. The Greens sit at 15 per cent, the SPD at 12 per cent and the Left party at 11 per cent.

Record pensioner employment and a deadly swimming season

New data from the Federal Statistics Office shows 14 per cent of Germans aged 65 to 74 were employed while drawing a state pension in 2025, up from 13 per cent a year earlier. Two-thirds work fewer than 20 hours a week, often in mini-jobs or self-employment. Researchers say financial need is only part of the story; many cite social connection and job satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) reports 261 drowning deaths between January and July 2026, fifteen more than the same period last year. The May-to-July toll of 189 is the deadliest start to the swimming season since 2019. June alone recorded more than 100 fatalities, a two-decade high for the month. Men account for 85 per cent of victims; the DLRG points to alcohol, drugs and poor swimming ability as recurring factors.

Cartel Office hits road-repair firms with €60 million in fines

The Federal Cartel Office has fined six companies a combined €60.3 million for rigging bids on contracts for thin asphalt surface layers using cold-mix technology (DSK). President Andreas Mundt said the cartel, which operated for years until September 2019, divided up public and private tenders across Germany, affecting federal, state and municipal road budgets. Investigators found coded price signals hidden in references to kilometre rates, catering costs and hotel prices. Several firms received reduced penalties after cooperating under the leniency programme.

With the Rhine forecast to remain low through autumn, logistics managers are already rerouting volumes to rail corridors that have spare capacity but lack the last-mile flexibility of barges. The transport ministry says it will review the Sunday-driving exemption weekly and extend it only while water levels justify the exception. For Merz, the polling numbers leave little room for error before the next round of state elections; his interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, is the sole cabinet member to gain ground, rising six points to 28 per cent satisfaction.