This month in German Words Explained we are talking about types of tax that have been discontinued.

Tea was first taxed in Germany in the 17th Century.  At first it was the import of tea that was being taxed, but in 1953 this changed to be a tax on the sale of tea products.

The tax was discontinued at the beginning of 1993.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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Last weekend I was invited to take part in a camp for former leaders and helpers of the Scout Group in the town of Sonsbeck, in the Niederrhein part of Germany.

Although I was never an actual member of that particular group, I have been in contact with them for the past 23 years and have visited them regularly throughout that time.

Find out why, and what happened at the camp, in this week’s podcast:

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Die Grünen is a name given to the Green Party in Germany.  Their official name is Bündnis 90/Die Grünen.

The Green Party was founded in Germany in 1980, and merged with Bündnis 90 in 1993.  Between 1998 and 2005 they formed a coalition government with the SPD.

Many of their policies are connected with the environment, so that they often take on government departments associated with this area when they form local coalitions.

The following politicians belonged or belong to the party: Joschka Fischer, Jürgen Trittin and Claudia Roth.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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