It is a Monday of disruption on the rails in Berlin and Leipzig, with Munich’s city council upset over a cinema and the national debate turning to housing rules and electricity costs. Here is what matters today.
Faulty train disrupts Berlin’s Ringbahn
In Berlin, a defective train at Gesundbrunnen has disrupted the Ringbahn, the S-Bahn circle line that runs around the city centre. If you use the ring today, check for cancellations and delays before you set off.
Source: rbb24
Munich approves first step towards demolishing the Mathäser cinema
In Munich, the city has issued a Bauvorbescheid (a preliminary planning decision) that clears the way to demolish the Mathäser cinema at Stachus. Parties on the Stadtrat (city council) had asked to be consulted first, hoping they might still save what is Germany’s most visited cinema, and they are unhappy that this did not happen. For film fans in the city, the future of a central cultural venue is now in doubt.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung
Four weeks without trams in central Leipzig
In Leipzig, the city transport company LVB starts major track works on Monday. For four weeks, no trams will run between Roßplatz and Augustusplatz, and some lines will be diverted. Allow extra time if you cross the city centre by tram.
Source: MDR
Petrol station worker outwits robber in Hesse
Hesse’s morning news round-up leads with a robbery at a petrol station, where an employee managed to trick the robber. The live ticker follows overnight events and the day’s main stories across the state.
Source: hessenschau
Leipzig raises its second home tax to 20 percent
In Leipzig, the city council voted on 30 September to raise the Zweitwohnungssteuer (second home tax) from 16 to 20 percent. The proposal began as a BSW motion for the 2025/2026 double budget, although finance mayor Torsten Bonew said the change was not really about bringing in much more money. If you keep a secondary registered address in Leipzig, expect a higher bill.
Source: Leipziger Internet Zeitung
Law for simpler, cheaper buildings still delayed
The federal building ministry wants to create new housing quickly, partly through the “Gebäudetyp E”, a building standard that drops unnecessary extras. The law needed to introduce it has been delayed for months. For anyone struggling to find a flat, this is one of the measures meant to speed up construction.
Source: tagesschau
CDU premier calls for lower electricity tax for all
Gordon Schnieder, the CDU head of government in Rhineland-Palatinate, has proposed cutting the Stromsteuer (electricity tax) for everyone. Speaking on ARD’s “Bericht aus Berlin”, he said “the electricity tax must be lowered for all”, as part of the party’s effort to get closer to people’s everyday lives. If it goes ahead, the change would reduce household energy bills.
Source: tagesschau
Germany Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- rbb24: Ringbahn wegen defekten Zug in Gesundbrunnen gestört, accessed 12 October 2026
- Süddeutsche Zeitung: Unmut im Stadtrat: Mathäser-Kino am Stachus darf abgerissen werden, accessed 12 October 2026
- MDR: Gleisbauarbeiten in Leipzig beginnen – Umleitung für einige Straßenbahnen, accessed 12 October 2026 (archived copy)
- hessenschau: Hessen am Morgen: Die Nachrichten im Ticker vom 12.10.2026, accessed 12 October 2026 (archived copy)
- Leipziger Internet Zeitung: Der Stadtrat tagte: Stadtrat stimmt der Erhöhung der Zweitwohnungssteuer von 16 auf 20 Prozent zu + Video, accessed 12 October 2026
- tagesschau: Schneller und einfacher Bauen: Wo bleibt der "Gebäudetyp E"?, accessed 12 October 2026 (archived copy)
- tagesschau: "Die Stromsteuer muss für alle gesenkt werden", accessed 12 October 2026 (archived copy)
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