"02/23/2026February 23, 2026 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party wants to end the option of employees getting a sick note by phone. Its coalition partner, however, opposes the proposal. DW has the latest. Merz has criticized the average of 14.5 sick days taken by employees in GermanyImage: Thilo Schmuelgen/REUTERS Skip next section"
"What you need to know The center-left Social Democrats are opposing a proposal by their coalition partner, the center-right CDU, to scrap telephone sick notes A new report shows that German machinery exports declined amid US tariffs Germany is calling on Hungary to reconsider a decision to block a new package of EU sanctions against Russia Here are the latest stories making headlines in Germany on Monday, February 23:"
On February 23, 2026, the center-right CDU proposed ending the option for employees to obtain sick notes by telephone. The center-left Social Democrats oppose scrapping telephone sick notes, creating disagreement within the governing coalition. Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the national average of 14.5 sick days taken by employees. A new report indicates German machinery exports declined amid US tariffs. The German government is urging Hungary to reconsider its decision to block a new EU sanctions package against Russia. These developments combine domestic labor-policy contention, external trade pressures, and diplomatic tensions over EU sanctioning.
Read at www.dw.com
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