Host Nation Update, Feb. 19, 2025
Warning strikes in public transportation – No Stadtbahn (*yellow streetcars) and no buses in Stuttgart on Friday
After the public sector wage negotiations in Potsdam on Monday and Tuesday failed to make any visible progress, the trade unions are now extending their warning strikes. This will mainly affect local public transport on Friday and – already on Thursday – the utilities and waste disposal companies.
On Friday, Verdi is initiating a warning strike in local public transport in six federal states. Work is also to be suspended at Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB), which means that no streetcars or buses will be running from the start of operations until the end. SSB employees have so far been excluded from the warning strikes in the collective bargaining round.
Seven local public transport companies affected
There will be all-day strikes in the seven local public transport companies in the state that are covered by the local public transport collective agreement (TV-N) – including in Esslingen (SVE), Karlsruhe (VBK), Freiburg (VAG), Heilbronn (public transport company of the municipal utilities), Constance (city bus of the municipal utilities) and Baden-Baden (operating branch of the municipal utilities). Verdi expects that there will be no transport services at any of the companies on strike. In Ulm, too, there will be a strike on Friday at SWU and SWU Mobil in local transport.
The private bus industry will also be affected
At the same time, Verdi is linking this dispute with the federal government and local authorities with the wage dispute in the private bus industry in Baden-Württemberg, where a warning strike will also be called in more than 30 companies on Friday. It is expected to have similar effects to the warning strike last week. The ballot is currently being prepared following the failed negotiations. However, negotiations are to be held again in Böblingen on February 25.
Industry strike day in the supply and disposal sector
A nationwide strike day in the supply and waste disposal sector is already planned for this Thursday. Companies covered by the collective agreement for utilities (TV-V) are affected – i.e. municipal utilities, water supply and wastewater disposal companies and waste incineration plants. Verdi states that no direct effects are initially expected for citizens.
“The employees have been working at the limit for years,” says Verdi national board member Christoph Schmitz-Dethlefsen. “They are supposed to manage the energy transition, climate impact adaptation and digitalization – and at the same time provide uninterrupted 24/7 security – while at the same time suffering from the pressure of work intensification and unfilled positions.” (SN, Feb 19, 2025)
Carnival in Stuttgart 2025 – The best stores for costumes and accessories
Carnival is just around the corner and you don’t have a costume yet? Don’t worry! There are numerous stores in Stuttgart where you can find the best costumes and accessories.
The classics
You’ll find everything you need for dressing up on three floors at Deiters in Stuttgart city center. Costumes for Halloween and Fasnet, traditional costumes for the Wasen and party decorations for all occasions. It’s better to go in good time before the store is overrun just before the carnival vacations and the best costumes are already gone.
Location: Deiters, Hirschstrasse 31, Stuttgart-Mitte, Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Are you into Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and comics? Then you should go to Elbenwald at Milaneo, There are costumes for Harry Potter, Wednesday, Kitsune and Catwoman, and more.
Location: Elbenwald, Milaneo, Mailänder Platz 7, Stuttgart-Nord, Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Costume rentals
Fashion classics, designer fashion, vintage originals, accessories and, above all, a wide range of costumes and accessories – in this costume rental shop in Stuttgart – west you will find unusual pieces for rent. You must make an appointment in advance.
Address: Gewand, Vogelsangstrasse 31, Stuttgart-West, Tue-Fri 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sat 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For history fans: Theaterkostümhaus Wagner
As a fourth-generation family business, Theaterkostümhaus Wagner in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim rents out historical costumes, wigs, carnival costumes and formal wear for men and women. Wagner, Stubaierstr. 39, Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, appointments by arrangement
For the little ones: Korbmayer
At Korbmayer in Schulstraße, little carnival fans will find lots of different costumes. So cute: superheroine, dragon or astronaut. Korbmayer, Schulstr. 2, Stuttgart-Mitte, Mon-Sat 10am-7pm
Schauspiel Stuttgart costume sale
Costumes, fabrics and accessories are for sale in the Staatstheater Stuttgart’s costume store. The range changes throughout the year, depending on what the Fundus can spare. Central warehouse of the Staatstheater Stuttgart, Zuckerfabrik 19, Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, next date: March 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Weather in Baden-Württemberg up to 16 degrees – “Spring-like” temperatures expected in the southwest
It will be mild in the southwest in the coming days. The German Weather Service is expecting “spring-like temperatures” in some places, according to a spokesperson. Wednesday will remain frosty, especially at night, but temperatures are expected to reach double digits over the course of the week. It will be foggy at first, especially in the south, but clouds will prevail as the day progresses. Highs will be between 2 and 8 degrees. According to the DWD spokesperson, “a milder air mass will slowly set in” during the night to Thursday – and temperatures will rise. Thursday and Friday are set to be significantly warmer, with temperatures of up to 13 and 16 degrees respectively in Breisgau. In the rest of Baden-Württemberg, highs of 7 to 10 and 9 to 14 degrees are expected. It will remain cloudy but dry. (SN, Feb 18, 2025)
Mayors demand action from the EU in view of the automotive industry
Numerous mayors whose cities are important locations for the automotive industry are calling on the EU to strengthen the economy – including Sindelfingen’s mayor Bernd Vöhringer.
The joint initiative, Mayors for a Strong Automotive Location, includes numerous heads of administration of important German automotive cities calling on the European Commission to swiftly introduce measures to secure the international competitiveness of the German automotive industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs. According to a release from the city council, the growing challenges that are jeopardizing the competitiveness of automotive cities are also noticeable here.
“Sindelfingen has stood for excellence in the automotive and technology sector and innovative excellence for many decades. We must not allow our city’s competitiveness to be squandered by regulatory hurdles and increasing deindustrialization,” Bernd Vöhringer is quoted as saying. “The automotive industry is the backbone of our economy – in Sindelfingen as well as in the region and throughout Germany.”
Sindelfingen is not only home to international corporations, but also to medium-sized and small companies that are themselves active in or dependent on the automotive industry.
“Sindelfingen is characterized by its great entrepreneurial diversity, and this must be protected,” said the mayor. “We now need reliable framework conditions to promote innovation and investment and secure jobs.”
Around 35,000 employees work at the Mercedes-Benz site in Sindelfingen. It is also home to suppliers and high-tech companies with thousands of other highly qualified employees and plays a key role in research and development in the automotive sector, contributing significantly to the competitiveness of the German automotive industry. The innovative strength of the location is demonstrated, among other things, by the ultra-modern Factory 56 production hall of Mercedes-Benz, which is regarded worldwide as a model in automotive production.
The mayors are specifically calling on the EU Commission to provide the following:
- A clear commitment to the automotive and automotive supplier industry as a key industry for the business location and thus for jobs, prosperity and stability.
- Openness in drive technology instead of a ban on combustion engines. In addition to electromobility, other climate-friendly drive types including plug-in hybrids should be made possible in principle.
- Create a level playing field in Europe so that an export-oriented and globally oriented automotive industry invests here again. Stand up for open borders and markets, but only with fair rules for all!
4. Suspend the fines imposed on car manufacturers by the EU for failing to meet CO2 fleet limits
5. Promote innovative strength and technical progress! A reliable and predictable funding framework must be established for research and development in the automotive industry. This includes, among other things, the promotion of hydrogen drives and new battery technologies with the corresponding infrastructure to ensure a sustainable and competitive automotive industry in Europe.
6. The expansion of fast-charging stations and electricity grids must be massively driven forward. This also requires a European funding program.
7. The transformation process must not be at the expense of citizens and local authorities.
The Mayors for a Strong Automotive Location initiative is to be expanded in further steps in the coming weeks. Among other things, the heads of administration want to enter into an exchange with automobile associations and present their demands to the new federal government and the state governments after the federal elections.
The initiators of the campaign include the Lord Mayors Frank Nopper from Stuttgart, Dennis Weilmann from Wolfsburg, Simon Blümcke from Friedrichshafen and Uwe Conradt from Saarbrücken.
The first signatories are: Eva Weber (Lord Mayor of Augsburg), Armin Grassinger (Mayor of Dingolfing), Thomas Kufen (Lord Mayor of Essen), Christian Scharpf (Lord Mayor of Ingolstadt), Arne Moritz (Mayor of Lippstadt), Steffen Hertwig (Lord Mayor of Neckarsulm), Monika Müller (Lord Mayor of Rastatt), Richard Arnold (Lord Mayor of Schwäbisch Gmünd), Sebastian Remelé (Lord Mayor of Schweinfurt), Bernd Vöhringer (Lord Mayor of Sindelfingen) and Constance Arndt (Lord Mayor of Zwickau). (SN, Feb 18, 2025)
Mayoral election in Sindelfingen -Markus Kleemann (CDU) is the third candidate
Sindelfingen is looking for a successor to Lord Mayor Bernd Vöhringer.
A third candidate announced his candidacy for the mayoral election in Sindelfingen in a press release on Tuesday. Markus Kleemann, CDU member and mayor of Oberstenfeld near Ludwigsburg, has submitted his application documents and intends to run in the election on May 11. So far, the other candidates for mayor are Lukas Rosengrün (SPD), mayor of Ehningen, and 25-year-old Max Reinhardt (FDP) from Sindelfingen. The closing date for applications is April 14.
Kleemann has been mayor of Oberstenfeld, a municipality of 8,000 inhabitants, for 10 years and was re-elected in 2023 with more than 95% of the vote. The 40-year-old political and administrative scientist also sits on the district council of the Ludwigsburg district for the CDU and is the district chairman of the non-party Europa-Union. He has the support of the Sindelfingen CDU for the Lord Mayor election.
“Sindelfingen is an attractive and lively city with a lot of potential and committed citizens. I want to make even more of Sindelfingen, help shape the city and modernize it,” Kleemann announces. “I take great pleasure and passion in fulfilling my responsibility as mayor of Oberstenfeld, but bringing Sindelfingen, Maichingen, and Darmsheim forward would be a new, very exciting challenge for me.”
Kleemann states that he wants to strengthen the economy and pay attention to sound finances, greater security and cleanliness. He wants to promote families, education and volunteering. “The city is in a good position and has been successfully shaped in the past,” says Kleemann, but there is still potential for development. A modern and citizen-oriented administration as well as reliable care and well-equipped schools for children and young people are key concerns for him. The 40-year-old has identified a need for action around the tight housing market.
At the beginning of December, Bernd Vöhringer surprisingly announced that he would not be standing for re-election on May 11 after 24 years as mayor of Sindelfingen. The 56-year-old wants to take some time off. (Feb 19, 2025)
Celebrating Fasching in Stuttgart
From November 11th, it’s “Narri-Narro” again in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. The fifth season is dawning and fools and carnival fans are already in the starting blocks. When and where 2025 will be celebrated.
Although the state capital is not necessarily considered a carnival stronghold and within Baden-Württemberg, these are more likely to be found in the Black Forest, Stuttgart is a great place to party. But when exactly is Fasnet celebrated here and which parades or parties should not be missed?
Fasching, Karneval or Fastnacht?
They are one and the same thing, but there are regional differences in the naming in Germany. While ‘Karneval’ is celebrated mainly in the Rhineland and partly in northern Germany, some Bavarians, Saxons and residents of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania celebrate ‘Fasching.’ In the southwest, especially in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland, people celebrate ‘Fastnacht,’ also known regionally as ‘Fasnacht’ or ‘Fasnet.’
When is Carnival celebrated?
The official starting signal of the carnival season falls as early as November. Every year on November 11th, fools and fools toast the beginning of the carnival season. When the clock strikes 11:11, the so-called fifth season officially begins. This is also celebrated in Stuttgart. Usually in the city center, as in 2025, when the fools enter the Schlossplatz.
The most well-known holiday during carnival season is Rose Monday, followed by Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. True carnival fans know that the days leading up to Ash Wednesday have been given names: before Rose Monday, there is Carnation Saturday and Tulip Sunday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Violet Tuesday.
Thursday in the week before Ash Wednesday is also celebrated: it is called Old Women’s Carnival or, in many places, “Dirty Thursday”. Carnival days begin at 11:11 a.m. and town halls are stormed by unmarried women to cut off the men’s ties and take over.
Carnival in Stuttgart 2025
- February 27, 2025: Women’s Carnival
- March 3, 2025: Rose Monday
- March 4, 2025: Shrove Tuesday
- March 5, 2025: Ash Wednesday
Carnival spirit in the south of Germany comes early at the Cologne carnival party at the Mash Club. On February 21st, Cologne sounds will be played here for carnival fans. Admission is at 7:11 p.m.
On February 1st, the 20th big night parade will take place in Stuttgart-Mühlhausen. This is organized by the 1st fools guild of the Donner-Hexen from Stuttgart-Mühlhausen. It starts at 7:11 p.m.
On February 2nd, Froher Faschings-Club Gerlingen e.V. organizes a fools’ parade through Gerlingen. Start: 1:01 p.m.
The children’s carnival in Mühlhausen on 8 February will also be a colorful event. The party will take place at Arnoldstraße 10 from 2:11 p.m.
On 9 February, the traditional spectacle of storming the town hall will take place in Leonberg.
On February 15th, the Stuttgarter Rössle carnival club and the Blau-Weiß Stuttgart society will also storm the district town hall in Zuffenhausen to disempower the district leader. The traditional children’s carnival takes place in the Steinturnhalle in Leonberg. The celebrations start at 2:01 p.m. Many fools are already looking forward to the big carnival show of the Möbelwagen 1897 e.V. 1st Stuttgart Carnival Association: the show starts at 7:11 p.m. in the gymnastics and assembly hall at Wurmlinger Str. 61 in Stuttgart-Degerloch. The traditional carnival weekly market takes place in Bad Cannstatt. Carnival fans in costume will spend a wonderful morning here with music and dancing.
On February 16, the big carnival parade will take place in Kornwestheim. It starts at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., the “Clownies” will be entertaining children at the Österfeldhalle in Vaihingen.
On February 19, carnival fans celebrate the big carnival opening at the Classic Rock Café.
There is also a party at “Fasching bei Rü” at SV Hoffeld on February 26. The party starts at 7:11 p.m. Address: Bopseräcker 2.
There will also be a lively party on February 28 in the Sängerhalle in Stuttgart: the Storchenball takes place here. In Mühlhausen there is a big night procession. Costume fans can also party with like-minded people in Vaihingen. The costume party of the carnival society Schwarze Husaren e.V.1968 Stuttgart-Vaihingen begins at 7:33 p.m.
On March 1, children’s carnival is celebrated at the Bürgerzentrum West. Children’s carnival is also celebrated at the Hofen primary school from 2:30 p.m. Dancing starts at 3 p.m. at the carnival party of the Zigeunerinsel Stuttgart 1910 e.V. society. The annual Rössle Ball is held in Stuttgart-Nord in the evening.
On March 2, the traditional children’s carnival of the Karnevalsclub Stuttgarter Rössle e.V. will take place in Feuerbach. Start: 2 p.m. Fasching on Ice is the motto of Eiswelt Stuttgart on March 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. in hall two. Children’s carnival is also celebrated in Obertürkheim. The party starts at 2:30 p.m. in the Obertürkheim gymnasium and assembly hall. Admission is four euros per child and 6.50 euros per adult.
On March 3, the first Stuttgart carnival association, Gesellschaft Möbelwagen 1897 e.V., will hold its annual Guggenmonster concert at the Stuttgart Marktplatz. It starts at 5:30 p.m. Before that, the children’s carnival takes place in the town hall. The celebrations here start at 2 p.m. On this day, the Möbelwagen society also celebrates the old town carnival again. More detailed information will be announced. This can be found on the website of the Württemberg State Carnival Association or at the Möbelwagen 1897 e.V. society. Afterwards, the party continues in a good mood at the “After Guggen” in Classic Rock. It’s worth watching from 6 p.m.
The big carnival procession through downtown Stuttgart takes place on Fat Tuesday, March 4th, starting at 2 p.m. Those who want to party in costume afterwards can shake a leg at Karlsplatz from 4:30 p.m.
There will also be a celebration in Stuttgart-Hofen on March 4th. The parade will start at 1 p.m. on Kelterplatz.
Note: This overview does not claim to be complete. The dates listed correspond to the status as of January 13, 2025.
(Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Feb. 19)