Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Daniel Peters, the newly re-elected CDU state chairman in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, wants to focus his state election campaign on the economy, healthcare, education, and internal security. The people in the state are longing for a substantive debate, Peters told NDR.
The district council of Ilm-Kreis in Thuringia rejected funding for democracy projects at the request of the AfD. The non-partisan district administrator now plans to reverse the decision, according to Spiegel.
FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki has sent a text message to Friedrich Merz (CDU) reading 'Moin, Friedrich. Mission Impossible is completed.' The message comes as Kubicki aims to lift the Free Democrats out of political irrelevance.
The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt plans to abolish compulsory school attendance if it takes power. Education researcher Ricking told Welt why the German model causes astonishment abroad.
Claudia Weimer has called for a 'Kulturkampf' against the AfD. Despite the far-right party's surge in polls, she expressed confidence that the tide would soon turn, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
The German government sees little need for action to increase state transparency, as reported by Heise. Previously, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) had called for more openness.
Markus Söder (CSU) is heading for a confrontation with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). He warns against weakening the Bundeswehr's state commands, as WELT reports.
The nursing care reform proposed by CDU Minister Warken is facing fierce opposition from within her own coalition parties. The SPD calls it a 'burden package,' while the CSU warns of a 'shunting yard toward social welfare.'
FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has described the course of former CDU chairwoman Angela Merkel as a 'mortal sin'. According to WELT, she accuses Merkel of having allowed political space to the right of the Union.
Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has spoken to Politico Europe about restructuring a popular family benefit amid budget savings requirements. She also advocated for a pragmatic approach to the EU Pay Transparency Directive.
The Turkish opposition is struggling against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – and with itself. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is downplaying the war, while corruption allegations against tank manufacturer KNDS are hardening, according to Spiegel.
The CDU leadership has canceled its presidium meeting planned for late August in Magdeburg. The cancellation came at the request of the minister-president of Saxony-Anhalt, according to Spiegel.
UK Keir Starmer has accused Elon Musk of meddling in the country's politics and sowing division, following Musk's posts about the murder of Henry Nowak that Starmer says echo far-right themes.
Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is planning a nursing care reform that cuts subsidies for home care costs and increases the financial burden on high earners, according to Deutschlandfunk.
A record number of people naturalized in Germany in 2025, but CDU politician Throm criticizes the trend, alleging preferential treatment for certain groups.
The British government has rejected accusations of a 'two-tier justice' system following the murder of 14-year-old Henry Nowak, calling them a 'slur' on the police. Lucy Rigby made the statement in an interview with Sky News on Thursday, as reported by the Guardian.
Opposition is growing within the Union against the EU Pay Transparency Directive. According to WELT, CDU and CSU politicians are urging the federal government to negotiate its withdrawal in Brussels.
Germany has suffered a defeat in the election for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Reactions from German politics describe the outcome as a 'blamage', 'quittung' and 'defeat', according to Deutschlandfunk.
The Berlin CDU has presented its election program, which includes video surveillance, edge development, and criticism of the Greens. The draft is to be adopted at a state party conference on June 9, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, the Federal Commissioner for Freedom of Information, is calling for a transparency law and constitutional protection of the right to access government information. The goal is an amendment to the Basic Law.
A Berlin court is expected to decide in the coming days on the future of the Green Party's planned reform, which has sparked significant internal conflict, according to Tagesspiegel.
US Donald Trump is reportedly using the power of his office more aggressively than ever for private gain. According to Tagesspiegel, data show extremely conspicuous stock purchases by his son.
Germany is seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been spotted in Moscow, according to Spiegel.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is fighting for a German seat on the UN Security Council. The decision on whether Germany will secure the seat comes on Wednesday.
Amid rising naturalizations of dual nationals, CDU interior expert Krings is demanding an amendment to the citizenship law.
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has called the firewall against the AfD 'completely idiotic' and demanded a cross-party minister-president who would govern with shifting majorities, including AfD votes, ahead of state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The European Union is continuing its strict approach to migration policy. According to Tagesschau, the agreement reached has drawn both approval and sharp rejection.
Mette Frederiksen has succeeded in forming a new Danish government on her second attempt, according to FAZ. The new administration is a minority government with members from different political camps.
A letter by CSU Vice Chairman Manfred Weber on the party's policy direction has caused unrest. Many interpret it as criticism of Markus Söder – political expert Ursula Münch disagrees.
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has called for radical reforms at the East German Economic Forum in Bad Saarow. 'Germany has become too expensive,' he said, as reported by WELT.
The planned Bafög increase is on the rocks again: the Union is questioning the already negotiated financing, according to Spiegel. The SPD reacts angrily.
Marcin Przydacz, head of Poland's Bureau of International Policy, has demanded that President Volodymyr Zelensky apologize to Polish President Karol Nawrocki. The dispute centers on Kyiv's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
The SPD has fallen to a record low of 11 percent in the latest GMS Sunday poll, while the AfD extends its lead and the FDP would return to parliament for the first time since 2024.
The federal government has placed the planned Bafög increase under a funding caveat, putting the reform's implementation in doubt. The SPD immediately criticized the Union, which is said to have pushed for the caveat.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has not attended a single crisis summit with oil companies and airlines since the start of the Iran war, according to Spiegel. This comes as a kerosene shortage threatens holiday travel.
The deadline set by Prime Minister Péter Magyar for President Tamás Sulyok to resign expires at midnight. Sulyok refuses and cites the Venice Commission, according to Euronews.
Federal Research Minister Bär has dashed hopes for a quick increase in BAföG funding. The SPD contradicts her account, as reported by Tagesschau.
On World No Tobacco Day, the German government's drug commissioner, Streeck (CDU), is calling for significantly higher prices for cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The German Medical Association also advocates stricter rules.
Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) has cast doubt on a swift Bafög reform. The SPD parliamentary group contradicts her and insists on implementing the reform agreed in the coalition agreement.
Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) no longer expects the planned BAföG reform to be implemented. She told Bavarian Broadcasting (BR) that there is no longer political support for it.