Evelyn Palla Appointed as First Female CEO of Deutsche Bahn Amidst Controversy and German Space Ambitions
Evelyn Palla has been appointed as the new CEO of Deutsche Bahn, becoming the first woman to lead the struggling railway company. Despite the railway trade union EVG voting against her appointment, employer representatives approved it. Meanwhile, pro-life and pro-choice demonstrations in Cologne saw roughly equal numbers of protesters. In space news, Germany is investing heavily in defence and plans to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visits to eastern Germany have sparked controversy, and a heated debate in the Bundestag saw parties accusing the government of dismantling the welfare state.
Palla began her role on October 1, 2025, marking a significant milestone for Deutsche Bahn. Her appointment comes as the company faces various challenges, including delays and cancellations. In contrast, the German government is looking to the future, investing €35 billion in outer space defence by 2030. This includes the Artemis program, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon. Germany has appointed Dorothee Bär as the first Minister for Space to oversee these ambitious plans.
The political landscape in Germany has been tumultuous. Chancellor Merz's visits to eastern Germany have been criticized, with some eastern Germans feeling like 'second class citizens'. The SPD, in coalition with Merz's conservative Union party, appeared disengaged during a recent Bundestag debate. A bad-tempered debate saw the Left and Green parties accusing the government of trying to dismantle the welfare state, while the AfD leader called Merz a 'bankrupt chancellor'.
In lighter news, the Berlin marathon attracted nearly 80,000 participants from around the world, with tens of thousands of spectators cheering them on. Oktoberfest, traditionally a Bavarian event, is gaining popularity across the country.
Evelyn Palla's appointment as the first female CEO of Deutsche Bahn signals a new era for the railway company. Germany's investment in space defence and the Artemis program reflects its commitment to the future. Chancellor Merz's eastern Germany visits will continue to be a topic of discussion, as will the ongoing debate about the welfare state.
