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Ministry Walter Ulbricht and the construction of the Berlin Wall
It was a lie that made history: on 15 June 1961, Walter Ulbricht, head of state of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), denied rumours that there were plans to close the border between East and West Berlin. In fact nobody had asked if there were plans to build a wall; it was Ulbricht himself who introduced the idea into the discussion. To this day it is unclear why he did so. What is known is …
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Ministry The resistance group “Rote Kapelle”
The former Reich Aviation Ministry was responsible for sending the German Luftwaffe into the Second World War, but it was also home to resistance to the Third Reich. Harro Schulze-Boysen, who worked at the ministry, was one of the leaders of the “Rote Kapelle” (“Red Orchestra”) resistance group, which was pursued for many years by the Nazis. During the 1930s he was at the centre of a network of …
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Financial markets The IMF and World Bank spring meetings: an update
What’s happened so far and what’s coming up next? Finance Minister Christian Lindner provides an update on the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, D.C., and looks ahead to the G20 meeting, which will focus above all on the global minimum tax rate and on financial literacy and inclusion.
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Financial markets The IMF and World Bank spring meetings: a recap
Finance Minister Christian Lindner looks back at the spring meetings that took place in Washington, D.C. from 12 to 14 April. He is returning to Berlin with two main tasks: to ensure that the federal budget contains no new borrowing and to boost economic growth, not least in order to better meet the state’s social responsibilities.
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Ministry The founding of the GDR in 1949
The building now known as the Detlev Rohwedder Building took on a significant role in the history of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) on 7 October 1949. It was on this day that the German People’s Council (a surrogate parliament for the Soviet occupation zone) declared itself the provisional People’s Chamber and put the constitution of the GDR into effect. The founding of the GDR, and hence …
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Ministry The East German uprising of 17 June 1953
In the years following the foundation of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, social tensions in the country increased rapidly. In 1953, the government tried to get the economic problems under control by raising work quotas. But finally the growing discontent among the population reached boiling point. On 17 June 1953, strikes and demonstrations broke out all over the GDR – including in front …
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Ministry The Detlev Rohwedder Building
The Detlev Rohwedder Building was built between 1935 and 1936 as the headquarters of the Reich Aviation Ministry. Reich Aviation Minister Hermann Göring wanted it to be an expression of political power. This aim was reflected in the neoclassical architectural style, which despite its simplicity made a powerful impression on visitors. The then dark Stone Hall with its low pillars was designed to …
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Public finances Christian Lindner at the Bundestag’s special session on the war in Ukraine
At the Bundestag’s special session addressing Russia’s attack on Ukraine in violation of international law, Finance Minister Christian Lindner announced massive investments in Germany’s armed forces. A special fund worth €100 billion will be established for this purpose. In addition, the government plans to spend billions of euros to build up gas and coal reserves. It will also place an even …
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Financial markets Press statement by Christian Lindner prior to the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank
As the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank kick off, Finance Minister Christian Lindner discusses the main issues on the agenda. His talks with international leaders will focus in particular on global economic challenges, further financial support for Ukraine, and relief measures for heavily indebted countries.