Germany news: Coalition vows care system reform deal

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A package of reforms to Germany's care system put forward by conservative Health Minister Carsten Linnemann remains a source of contention within the coalition.

It remained unclear early on Wednesday whether a planned morning Cabinet meeting to agree on the package called by Linnemann would take place.

The junior coalition partner, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), opposes any cuts to care services.

Among other things, it has called for a cap on personal contributions to care in retirement homes and financial adjustments to make the division fairer between private and statutory nursing care insurance models.

Both ideas have met with skepticism from Linnemann.

The reform of the system has been made necessary by the growing number of people needing care as the population ages, which has raised costs.

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV), which also represents care insurance institutes, estimates a shortfall of €4.4 billion ($5 billion) this year, and €10 billion in 2027.  

Guten Tag from DW's newsroom on the still-running-but-just Rhine River in Bonn!

The conservative/center-left coalition government is still quibbling over proposed reforms to Germany's care system, with time running out to reach a deal.

It remains to be seen whether the Cabinet will be in a position to approve the package on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, police have targeted a money-laundering network and biker gangs in raids.

Read on for more on these and other stories.