Berlin considers Schröder’s role as negotiator in Ukraine talks
The German government is contemplating appointing Gerhard Schröder as a negotiator for discussions with Russia, following an earlier rejection of such an idea.
Category Politics
Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Prime Minister Schulze aims to turn citizens’ income recipients into harvest helpers
Saxony-Anhalt's Sven Schulze calls for stricter rules for citizens' income recipients and plans mandatory work in agriculture. This is reported by the Post.
Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister Calls for Increased Pressure on Citizens’ Income Recipients
Saxony-Anhalt's Sven Schulze (CDU) demands more pressure on citizens' income recipients ahead of state elections, criticizing the state for providing benefits without requiring any return.
Greens and CDU sign coalition agreement in Stuttgart
The Greens and the CDU signed their coalition agreement in Stuttgart on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a new government coalition in Baden-Württemberg.
AfD overtakes CDU in current polls
According to a survey by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surpassed the CDU for the first time, with 26 percent of respondents indicating they would vote for the AfD in the next federal election.
Pistorius aims to build new high-tech weapons with Ukraine
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a collaboration with Ukraine on the construction of new weapon systems during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Mychajlo Fedorow in Kyiv.
Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister Calls for Pressure on Citizens’ Allowance Recipients
Saxony-Anhalt's Sven Schulze (CDU) demands increased pressure on citizens' allowance recipients ahead of state elections, criticizing the state for providing too many benefits without requiring a return.
Minority groups fear rise in racism after Reform UK election victory
Following the local elections in Birmingham, members of minority groups are concerned about an increase in hostile rhetoric. According to The Guardian, outgoing Labour leader John Cotton expressed hope that the new administration will promote the city's diversity.
Bärbel Bas: Minister with a Skull Mentality
Bärbel Bas, the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, faces increasing scrutiny within the coalition due to her controversial stance and a skull symbol on her smartwatch.
Söder and Schwesig reject 1000-euro bonus
After failing in the Bundesrat, Prime Ministers Markus Söder and Manuela Schwesig oppose the proposed 1000-euro bonus for employees. Schwesig instead calls for a comprehensive income tax reform.
German Government Rejects Proposal for Schröder as Mediator
The German government has dismissed Vladimir Putin's suggestion to appoint Schröder as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict as a mere façade. A spokesperson described the idea as not serious.
Pistorius Deepens Defense Cooperation with Ukraine
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has unexpectedly initiated talks in Kyiv to intensify defense cooperation with Ukraine. The SPD politician announced plans to jointly develop new weapon systems.
Ukrainian Army Reforms Contract Terms for Soldiers
The Ukrainian government is introducing a new contract structure for soldiers that establishes clear service periods. This reform is expected to benefit both new recruits and existing military personnel.
Live Blog: Political Developments in Australia Regarding the Farrer By-Election
Political consequences of the Farrer by-election are being reported in Australia. The Guardian provides updates on the latest events.
Latvia’s Defense Minister Resigns After Drone Incident
Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Sprūds has resigned following an incident involving a Russian drone. He announced his resignation on Thursday, according to Deutschlandfunk.
Starmer Faces Ouster: Streeting and Rayner Prepare Leadership Challenge
Keir Starmer is fighting for his political survival as around 40 Labour MPs demand his resignation, according to The Guardian, while Wes Streeting and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner prepare their candidacies for party leadership.
Federal Council stops relief bonus from Markus Söder
CSU leader Markus Söder announced that the planned relief bonus of 1,000 euros has failed. The Federal Council halted the initiative as only four out of 16 states agreed.
Former Prime Minister Philippe Launches Presidential Campaign in France
Former French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe kicked off his campaign for the 2027 presidential elections in Reims on Sunday. According to Politico, he is the leading candidate to counter the far-right National Rally.
Attack on military personnel in the Odessa region: Two seriously injured
On May 10, a man attacked two military personnel from the Territorial Recruitment Center with a knife in the Odessa region. Both soldiers are in critical condition.
Péter Magyar elected as the new Prime Minister of Hungary
Péter Magyar has been elected as Hungary's new Prime Minister, succeeding Viktor Orbán. The election took place with a clear majority in Parliament.
USA threaten troop withdrawal, Russia threatens war
Geopolitical tensions between the USA and Russia are escalating, with the USA considering troop withdrawal and Russia issuing threats of war.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico Meets Putin in the Kremlin for World War Commemoration
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico traveled to Moscow to participate in the commemoration of the end of World War II, meeting with Vladimir Putin, according to reports.
Trump ready to send delegation to Moscow to end Ukraine war
Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to send a U.S. delegation to Moscow to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, describing the conflict as 'madness.'
Greens and CDU Approve Coalition Agreement in the Southwest
The Greens and CDU have approved the coalition agreement in the Southwest, marking a significant step in the political collaboration, as reported by Abendzeitung München.
AfD spreads fears of old-age poverty and unsustainable pension promises
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is spreading false fears of old-age poverty, as reported by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). Its proposals for retirement security exceed financial limits and primarily benefit wealthier retirees.
Greens and CDU in Baden-Württemberg Approve Coalition Agreement
The approval of the coalition agreement by the Greens and CDU in Baden-Württemberg marks the final hurdle for the formation of the new government.
Hungary: Peter Magyar Elected as New Prime Minister
Peter Magyar has been elected as Hungary's new Prime Minister, with plans to combat corruption and negotiate with Brussels. He aims to recover frozen EU funds as a priority.
CDU in Baden-Württemberg approves coalition agreement with Greens
The CDU in Baden-Württemberg has approved a coalition agreement with the Greens, which is facing criticism from the Green Youth for lacking ambition.
Aiwanger criticizes federal government as ‘lost year’
Hubert Aiwanger, the leader of the Free Voters, has criticized the black-red coalition in Berlin for a 'lost year'. This statement was made during the FW party conference in Bad Aibling, Bavaria.
Pressure on Starmer Grows After Labour Election Losses
According to The Guardian, Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is facing calls for his resignation following significant losses in the local elections in England.
Trump’s AI policy was too one-sided — the turnaround is welcome
A recent FAZ commentary argues that Donald Trump's previous approach to artificial intelligence gave too much free rein to development without sufficient oversight, a flaw the paper sees as needing correction. The piece welcomes signs of a policy reversal, viewing it as an opportunity to rebalance regulation and innovation.
Why Britain’s Two‑Party System Is Coming to an End
Regional and local elections have strengthened nationalists and populists, eroding the traditional dominance of the two major parties — and Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces an obvious corrective if he wants to halt further fragmentation.
EU countries seek €43 billion compensation for weapons delivered to Ukraine
EU member states have submitted claims to the European Commission requesting a total of €43 billion in compensation for weapons supplied to Ukraine, a sum that exceeds what the currently available European Peace Facility (EPF) funds could cover, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Leipzig: Driver taken to psychiatric clinic after vehicle attack
A car drove through a pedestrian zone in Leipzig, reportedly killing two people and seriously injuring at least two more. The suspect was reportedly taken to a psychiatric clinic; the city is reviewing security measures while support services are active on site.
Phage therapy used at University Hospital Frankfurt against multidrug‑resistant germs
Researchers at the University Hospital Frankfurt have identified viruses that specifically target multidrug‑resistant bacteria and have, for the first time in this setting, been allowed to use them therapeutically in patients, offering a potential option when conventional antibiotics fail.