Germany's 2014 to-do list

Many challenges lie ahead, but Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) probably has to tackle the most difficult one: Pushing forward Germany's plan to phase out nuclear energy and shift to renewable energy sources. Hundreds of kilometers of power lines need to be installed - a mammoth task for Germany's new deputy chancellor.

The German government aims to completely phase out nuclear energy by 2022 - but what about coal-fired power plants that pollute the environment? Power plant operators want to keep them running, and industrial plants want energy to be cheap. The EU has started to investigate rebates Germany has given to big companies to help ease their energy transition - and German citizens fear price hikes.

Although the last few months have brought less bad news on the euro zone crisis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her EU counterparts aren't done dealing with Europe's debt troubles. Which country might be able to leave bailout programs behind? Which country will need more support? How much is Germany expected to chip in? The debate is set to continue in 2014.

After 12 years of war, NATO is withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2014. Germany is pulling out its troops as well - leaving behind an unstable country that still lacks properly trained local military and police personnel. Afghanistan's political situation is highly precarious, and the Taliban is regaining influence.

The Social Democrats fought for a legal binding national minimum wage of 8.50 euros ($11.70) during coalition negotiations with Merkel's CDU. Germany's new Labor Minister Andrea Nahles (SPD) now has to sign this into law quickly. The regulation is set to come into effect in 2015. However, there will be a transition period and most likely a few exceptions to the rule, as well.

SPD politicians wanted to allow all immigrants to keep their old passports when taking on German citizenship. Members of the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, opposed that idea. They came up with a compromise: Children of non-German residents who were born and raised in Germany can keep both passports. Others still have to choose.

One of the most highly watched trials in 2013 is set to continue making headlines in 2014. The case involving neo-Nazi terror group National Socialist Underground (NSU) is being tried in Munich. Little concrete evidence has come out in the 71 days in court so far. Main defendant Beate Zschäpe has been charged as an accomplice in the killing of 11 people.

Christian Wulff of Merkel's CDU is the first president in German post-war history to face criminal charges in court. He is charged with corruption, but so far witnesses have helped exculpate the former head of state, making it likely that he will be acquitted of the charges. Public discussion on whether he received unfair treatment will probably continue in 2014.

Potholes, dilapidated train tracks, run-down bridges: Germany's infrastructure is in need of work. The new government has vowed to set aside 5 billion euros ($7 billion) by 2017 to improve infrastructure. A controversial toll for foreign cars could raise more money for additional projects, but it's a long way until this measure comes into effect. The toll is unlikely to come about in 2014.

More people are on the receiving end of Germany's pension scheme than there are young people paying into the fund. Still, the government plans to introduce higher pensions for mothers. Other plans allow some to retire at the age of 63; low-income earners qualify for supplement payments. Finding a way to pay for these changes will be a major undertaking for the new government.