Covid-19: Germany extends 10 billion euro relief to preserve workforce

German coalition parties agreed on Tuesday to extend measures to cushion the effects of the coronavirus crisis on Europe's biggest economy at a cost of up to 10 billion euros, including prolonging a short-time work scheme and freezing insolvency rules.
 

The German economy contracted at its steepest rate on record in the second quarter and the government is desperate to mitigate the effects of the pandemic as much as possible, especially in the run-up to elections in the autumn of 2021.
 

"Corona remains a reality and a challenge," said Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) after around