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EurActiv (27 May 2020)

By Sarah Lawton 

Over the weekend, the leader of Thuringia announced plans to end coronavirus restrictions in the eastern German state and replace them with local measures. Saxony voiced its support for the idea, while other states quickly condemned the move, possibly heralding the end the country’s relatively harmonious federal coronavirus cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Responsibility for Germany’s coronavirus restrictions has always been in the hands of the country’s 16 state leaders, with advice and guidance coming from the federal government. Specific details and timing of measures have varied between states, but ultimately, state and federal leaders were able to reach nation-wide agreements following virtual summits. 

Asked in a press conference in mid-April about differences between state leaders, Chancellor Angela Merkel responded: “the overall spirit is so much in agreement, it’s almost miraculous for a federal state.”

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