mostly false

Mostly False: “It’s still possible to reduce emissions so that we can meet the 1.5 degree target”

“It is still possible for us to reduce emissions in this decade to such an extent that we can meet the 1.5 degree target.” That is how Olaf Scholz began his speech at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference. He also mentioned the technologies that are available to help us achieve it. A look at the facts…

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Mostly true: “By 2035, there will be no job that is unrelated to AI”

In April 2023, Hubertus Heil, Germany’s Federal Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, stated: “By 2035, there will be no job that is unrelated to AI.” According to him, AI will influence all fields of work in the future — whether by automating routine tasks or assisting with complex processes. Upon review, it becomes evident…

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mostly false

Mostly False: “The FIFA World Cup was definitely a catalyst for positive change in the country“

It has now been two years since the World Cup in Qatar. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, claimed that the 2022 World Cup had changed positively for the workers. He says that the workers have much better conditions after the World Cup and that the World itself was the catalyst. This claim was checked, and it…

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True: “Europe faces security challenges and potential defense spending gaps in the coming years”

Europe is facing various challenges: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the re-election of Donald Trump are causing uncertainty. Wolfgang Ischinger, former German ambassador to the United States, warns in an interview with Sandra Maischberger: “We have a security problem in Europe. We have a noticeable, significant gap in defense spending over the next few years.”…

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mostly false

Mostly false: “When it comes to alcohol, most people manage to stay within a harmless dose”

The former “Ambassador of Beer” Johannes Vogel (Free Democratic Party) was interviewed in the Tagesspiegel newspaper. He spoke about his role as “Ambassador of Beer” and the topic of alcohol. He said that the amount of alcohol is crucial and that people manage to consume a safe dose. This turns out to be largely false. Johannes…

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mostly false

Mostly false: Germany faces the highest energy costs worldwide, which is making its economy noncompetitive

On November 7, 2024, Alice Weidel, co-chair of the party AfD, stated in a ZDF television interview that Germany has the highest energy costs worldwide, which she claimed was making its economy noncompetitive. This claim turns out to be mostly false. The interview took place after the German government coalition breakdown. Weidel used this claim to advocate…

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Mostly True: “Of the men who arrived in Germany in 2015/16, 86 percent are now working”

“Of the men who arrived in Germany in 2015/16, 86 percent are now working. That’s more than the average number of men who were born in Germany, which is only 81 percent.” This statement was said by Lea Reisner, candidate of the party “Die Linke”, on May 22 2024 in the MDR talk show Fakt ist! However,…

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mostly false

Mostly false: Permanent border controls are “a necessity” in order to “limit irregular migration to Germany”.

On July 12, 2024, the now former FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai urged an extension of the border controls that were carried out in Germany during the European Championships in an interview with SPIEGEL. He justified this to SPIEGEL by saying that permanent controls were “a necessity” in order to “limit irregular migration to Germany”.…

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True: “Germany’s defense expenditures have increased from 34 to 90 billion euros in ten years”

On October 9, 2024, a TV debate aired on the German news channel “Welt” featuring Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht. During the debate, Ms. Wagenknecht claimed that Germany’s defense expenditures had risen from 34 billion euros in 2014 to 90 billion euros in 2024. This statement is true. The two politicians represent two highly controversial parties. Alice Weidel…

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