Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called on the EU to impose a full embargo on alumina and aluminum ore exports to Russia, saying these raw materials are vital for Moscow's military-industrial complex.
After the drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, investigators have apparently identified two suspects. The federal government sees Moscow as the mastermind behind the attempted attack.
The German government wants to strengthen early childhood education with mandatory language and development screenings. Family Minister Prien plans to collect data on children's development by age four at the latest.
Three members of the BSW parliamentary group in the Thuringian state parliament have left the party and group to form a new party. The coalition of CDU, BSW, and SPD loses its previous deadlock and now becomes a true minority government.
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund has announced plans to restructure the state's domestic intelligence agency if he wins the election. Sven Schulze has reaffirmed his opposition to the federal government's pension plans.
The German government has approved the draft of its income tax reform. The draft provides for relief of ten billion euros but faces criticism from the opposition and disagreements within the coalition.
More than half of Germans are concerned about a possible AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt, according to an Ipsos survey commissioned by Spiegel.
EU foreign ministers will meet informally in Wicklow, Ireland, on Wednesday to discuss Russia's drone attack on Leipzig and possible new sanctions against Moscow.
After the discovery of an unexploded explosive drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport, the German government imposed punitive measures against Russia. Vladimir Putin called Berlin's sanctions a 'serious mistake', as reported by ZDFheute.
The planned income tax reform is set to be approved by the cabinet today, but Minister Lars Klingbeil will be absent. According to Tagesschau, he is stuck in the US due to a defective government aircraft.
Germany is closing the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the 'Russian House' in Berlin in response to the suspected Russian involvement in a drone incident near Leipzig. Minister Johann Wadephul also announced new EU sanctions, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.
In the Hessian state parliament, the opposition sharply criticized the state government's education package on Tuesday. Green party education policy spokesman Daniel May called the plans 'a bit of damage control.' The occasion was the government statement by Minister of Education Armin Schwarz (CDU), who had previously presented the package together with Boris Rhein (CDU) and his deputy Kaweh Mansoori (SPD).
The German government holds Russia responsible for the attempted explosive attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to Spiegel, a Russian intelligence service is said to have orchestrated the attack.
The German Bundestag has decided to build a memorial for the Polish victims of World War II and German occupation. According to Minister of State for Culture and Media Wolfram Weimer, it is to be erected in central Berlin starting in 2027.
Germany's long-term care insurance funds are facing a deficit of around 4.4 billion euros this year, and even emergency loans won't close the gap. The government's care commissioner, Katrin Staffler (CSU), insists the funds will not go bankrupt.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has ruled out cooperation with the AfD and the Left party ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. According to Zeit, he said the differences with the Union are fundamental.
The black-red coalition has agreed on the final details of its income tax reform. Families and people with low and middle incomes are to be relieved starting in 2028.
FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki considers a possible AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt manageable. He said even such a state government would have to comply with federal laws, if necessary through federal coercion.
Germany's Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has cast doubt on the planned requirement for a doctor's note from the first day of sickness. She also calls for a transition period before scrapping the pension deduction-free retirement.
After the Berlin blackouts, the federal government does not want to introduce fixed emergency power rules for mobile phone masts. Instead of blanket battery requirements, it relies on case-by-case assessments.
The German government is increasing funding for single wagonload rail freight by up to 84 million euros this year, bringing the total to 384 million euros. The Federal Ministry of Transport announced the move.
The governing parliamentary groups of CDU/CSU and SPD have adopted a paper at their retreat in Münster that aims to make Germany more resilient by the end of the year. Among other things, the paper calls for stronger civil protection and a faster reform of the intelligence services.
The German government has dismissed speculation that Germany could miss its climate target for the first time this year. According to the F.A.Z., an assessment of emissions data will only be possible in mid-March 2027.
The SPD's Bundestag members from North Rhine-Westphalia are increasing pressure on the black-red coalition and the party leadership. According to Tagesschau, they have drawn up a list of demands.
In the TV show "Sarah Tacke," CDU politician Christoph Ploß and Katja Kipping, managing director of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, argued over the new basic income. Ploß defended stricter sanctions, while Kipping called for a cautious approach.
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has accused parts of the German government of being far-right, citing an authoritarian course and restrictions on freedom of speech in the Focus podcast "Machtmenschen."
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has ruled out any coalition with the AfD just days before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. In the RTL show "At the Table with Friedrich Merz," he accused the party of endangering Germany's security, as WELT reports.
Germany and five other EU member states are pushing back against the European Commission's trillion-euro budget plan, calling for reductions of several hundred billion euros and a stronger focus on security, competitiveness, and migration.
AfD leader Alice Weidel has reaffirmed her goal of leaving the euro and the Schengen area if her party takes government responsibility. Leading economists warn of the economic consequences.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged continued support for Ukraine during his first official visit, responding to what he called Moscow's "outrageous threats."
AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund is relying on provocative messages in the election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt. According to Spiegel, he celebrated successes at a 'family festival' in Merseburg with anti-migration slogans.
Jonas Gahr Støre has visited a site in Kyiv damaged by Russian attacks during his Ukraine trip, the Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported, according to Ukrinform.
In the ZDF summer interview, AfD leader Alice Weidel expressed confidence about the upcoming elections and sharply criticized the CDU.
The German government had planned to reduce pension entitlements for people caring for relatives. New Health Minister Carsten Linnemann now wants to scrap that measure.
Amid difficult government formation in Saxony-Anhalt, a CDU politician advocates talks with the Left. However, he rules out a coalition with the Left.
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has identified growth and employment as the government's top priorities. According to Spiegel, he wants to see swift progress in implementing reforms.
The Railway and Transport Union (EVG) is threatening nationwide strikes in regional rail services starting in January if the federal government does not increase penalties for attacks on train attendants this year. Union chief Martin Burkert told Bild am Sonntag.
Ahead of the cabinet retreat in Neuhardenberg, WWF and Greenpeace accuse the German government of lacking a clear direction in climate policy. The groups are calling for faster expansion of renewable energy.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has traveled to Ukraine for talks. The visit coincides with the country's 35th Independence Day.
Bundestag's scientific service continues to view the new Building Modernization Act (GModG) as potentially unconstitutional. According to Spiegel, legal concerns remain largely unchanged despite revisions.