EU Migration Course: Agreement Draws Praise and Sharp Criticism
The European Union is continuing its strict approach to migration policy. According to Tagesschau, the agreement reached has drawn both approval and sharp rejection.
Category Politics
Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Denmark: Frederiksen Forms Minority Government on Second Attempt
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.
CSU Vice Weber Writes Policy Letter – Criticism of Söder?
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.
Merz: ‘Germany Has Become Too Expensive’ – Radical Reforms Demanded
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.
Bafög Increase: Union Questions Agreement, SPD Furious
The planned Bafög increase is on the rocks again: the Union is questioning the already negotiated financing, according to Spiegel. The SPD reacts angrily.
Polish official demands apology from Zelensky in UPA dispute
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).
SPD Plummets to 11 Percent in Poll – FDP Would Bundestag
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.
SPD attacks Union over Bafög funding caveat
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.
Katherina Reiche: Crisis Summit Despite Looming Kerosene Shortage
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.
Hungary: Sulyok’s resignation deadline expires
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.
Reform: Coalition Dispute Union and SPD Escalates
Federal Research Minister Bär has dashed hopes for a quick increase in BAföG funding. The SPD contradicts her account, as reported by Tagesschau.
Drug Commissioner Streeck: Significantly Increase Tobacco Tax
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.
SPD contradicts Bär: Bafög reform to proceed as agreed
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.
BAföG reform on the rocks: Bär no longer expects implementation
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.
FDP elects Kubicki as new leader – conservative-liberal course
Kubicki is the new federal chairman of the FDP. At the party convention in Berlin, he prevailed in a contested vote and called for a conservative-liberal direction in his first speech.
Greens Urged to Reform Voters to Tackle Inequality
Green Party leaders Zack Polanski and Caroline Lucas called on the party to take the concerns of Reform UK voters seriously in order to combat inequality, speaking at a conference in London on Saturday.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern elects Dario Seifert as general secretary
The AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has elected Dario Seifert as its new general secretary at its state party conference. The party is aiming to take over the government in the state election in September.
AfD Calls for Halt on Asylum Seeker Intake in Berlin
Berlin AfD, led by top candidate Kristin Brinker, is aiming to take over the government and is demanding a radical policy shift in the capital.
Merz Calls Chancellor Swap Debate ‘Side Issue’
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has dismissed the discussion about a possible change of chancellor in the coalition as a 'side issue'. According to Zeit, Merz reaffirmed his determination to push through key reforms.
Brandenburg wants to create more student dormitories in Potsdam
Faced with a tight housing market in Potsdam, the state government of Brandenburg plans to create more dormitory places for students and accelerate the construction of student housing, as Tagesspiegel reports.
AfD Youth Campaigns Outside School in Hoyerswerda – Omas gegen Rechts Protest
According to Spiegel, the AfD's youth wing campaigned early in the morning in front of a school in Hoyerswerda, Saxony. The group 'Omas gegen Rechts' protested the action.
Federal Audit Office criticizes Foreign Office for funding Islamic Relief
The Federal Audit Office has sharply criticized the Foreign Office for providing millions in federal funds to the aid organization Islamic Relief Germany despite suspicions of Islamism. The government accuses the group of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Green High-Rise Project WoHo in Kreuzberg Fails for Now
The green flagship project 'WoHo' in Berlin-Kreuzberg has initially failed in the district council. The Left Party and SPD rejected the 100-meter-tall timber construction project with social housing and commercial space, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
German government launches major reform of administrative courts
The German government has launched a fundamental reform of the administrative judiciary. The aim is to make the courts more efficient, digital, and modern, thereby relieving their workload and speeding up proceedings.
German Cabinet Approves Law to Strengthen Cybersecurity
The German cabinet has approved a law to strengthen cybersecurity, expanding the powers of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and the Federal Police.
German government tightens penalties for human trafficking
The German cabinet has approved a draft law that would impose stricter sentences for human trafficking and forced prostitution, according to a report by Zeit.
Tony Blair attacks Labour leadership: Party is losing the center ground
Former UK Tony Blair has sharply criticized the Labour Party leadership in a 5,700-word essay, accusing Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting of abandoning the political center and jeopardizing the party's future.
Mützenich: Russia cannot be defeated militarily
SPD foreign policy expert Rolf Mützenich has argued that Russia cannot be defeated on the battlefield in the Ukraine war, calling for a European diplomatic initiative.
Reform UK: Zia Yusuf publicly contradicts Robert Jenrick on deportation policy
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, has publicly stated that Robert Jenrick's remarks on deportation policy do not reflect the party line. Jenrick had previously said that foreign social housing residents would not be automatically deported.
Care reform delayed: Cabinet postpones decision
The German government's planned care reform is still pending. According to Zdfheute, long-term care insurance funds are in serious financial trouble, but no public draft bill has been presented yet.
Gysi misses every second vote in the Bundestag
A new analysis of roll-call votes shows that Left Party politician Gregor Gysi is absent particularly often. Union and SPD had recently tightened the rules.
Nursing care reform: Warken plans higher contribution for childless people
Health Minister Warken wants to increase the surcharge for childless people in long-term care insurance by 0.1 percentage points, according to a report by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
Krakow: Referendum to Recall Tusk Ally Miszalski
A citizen initiative in Krakow has launched a referendum to recall Mayor Aleksander Miszalski and the city council. As Euronews reports, the signature collection began earlier this year. Many residents criticize the city's policies and demand Miszalski's resignation.
Farage’s Russian Hacker Claim ‘Without Any Merit’
Nigel Farage's claim that a Russian hack was behind a Guardian report on a £5 million donation has been dismissed as 'without any merit' by former NCSC chief Ciaran Martin. Martin called the Reform UK leader's allegation 'entirely unsubstantiated'.
Dobrindt Rejects Social Media Ban for Children, Says Parents Are Responsible
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has rejected a blanket ban on social media for children, arguing that parents must take greater responsibility, according to Euronews.
SPD debates handling of AfD after Albig’s proposal
A statement by former Schleswig-Holstein Minister President Torsten Albig has reignited debate within the SPD on how to deal with the AfD. Albig recommended that the party consider minority governments tolerated by the AfD.
SPD parliamentary group rejects blanket cuts to parental allowance
The SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag has spoken out against across-the-board savings on parental allowance. This was reported by Spiegel, citing deputy parliamentary group leader for family policy Dagmar Schmidt.
Government Trust Crisis: Why Only 13 Percent Still Have Faith in Merz
Only 13 percent of Germans are satisfied with the federal government, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz is rapidly losing support. An analysis of squandered trust and the question of how it can be regained.
Kai Wegner at Raid: Customs Investigator’s Backpack Stolen
Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) took part in a major operation against organized crime. Shortly before, a customs investigator's backpack was stolen, as the Tagesspiegel reports.
Spahn questions Bafög increase – students outraged
CDU politician Jens Spahn has questioned the planned Bafög increase. Student representatives react with outrage, calling it a 'slap in the face'.