Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
The heads of government of Germany's five northern states met in Rostock to push for a significant increase in federal funding for port infrastructure, from 38 million to 500 million euros annually.
The German government has not yet decided on sanctions against Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. German government members are horrified by his remarks on the targeted killing of Palestinians.
Just days before the cabinet retreat, two SPD ministers have presented concrete proposals for better heat protection and again called on the Union to agree to a constitutional amendment.
Germany's Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) supports a government commission's reform proposals to merge basic income support, housing and child benefits, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and poverty risk.
German Friedrich Merz has sharply criticized Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's remarks about targeted killings of Palestinians. His spokesman said these 'inhumane and internationally unlawful appeals' were unacceptable.
The federal cabinet is meeting for a retreat at Neuhardenberg Castle in Brandenburg on Tuesday and Wednesday. As Deputy Government Spokesman Sebastian Hille announced, boosting the economy and protecting against heat and climate impacts are to be the focus.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has threatened to destroy everything that feeds Kyiv's war machine from the West. The German government says it will not be intimidated.
Russian prosecutors are seeking twelve years and one month in prison for Lev Schlosberg, accusing the war opponent of discrediting the army.
At the MDR election arena for the 2026 state election in Saxony-Anhalt, the top candidates answered questions from citizens on Wednesday. Topics included the firewall against the AfD, inclusion, and the shortage of skilled workers.
The federal cabinet has approved a reform that, for the first time, allows the BND and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution to carry out covert operations in clearly defined cases.
The German cabinet plans to significantly bolster the country's intelligence services, drawing criticism from the Left and the FDP. Chancellery Minister Nina Warken (CDU) calls it the most fundamental reform of the BND since its inception, as reported by ZDFheute.
Russia's Supreme Court in Moscow is set to hear a case that could bar the liberal opposition party Jabloko from the September parliamentary election, amid a large crowd gathering outside.
Due to extreme low water levels in German rivers, inland navigation is under pressure. The Greens and the Left criticize the federal government's handling of the situation, as reported by the Tagesspiegel.
Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) wants to tighten the taxation of economically active clubs. According to WELT AM SONNTAG, the previous tax-free allowance of 5,000 euros is to be abolished.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has long treated Europe as a warring party. As Die Zeit analyzes, the Kremlin is increasingly backing its aggressive rhetoric with hybrid attacks—from sabotage to assassination plots.
The Left Party's federal chairwoman, Ines Schwerdtner, has announced that the party will only join a Berlin government if large housing companies are expropriated.
The Rhine's water level at Kaub has dropped to 24 centimeters, which could push fuel prices up. The EU is striving for unity after the migration dispute over Ceuta, while the German government remains vague about how often it uses AI for speeches.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Manuela Schwesig (SPD) has spoken out against the pension commission's recommendation to abolish the deduction-free pension after 45 years of contributions. She is threatening to vote against it in the Bundesrat.
CSU leader Markus Söder has publicly backed Friedrich Merz in the ARD summer interview and ruled out speculation about a change of chancellor. He also attributed the AfD's strength to migration and economic policy.
US Donald Trump said in an interview with Real America's Voice that the US could access Ukraine's rare earth resources at any time and take "pretty much whatever we want." He valued the deal at over $300 billion.
The premiers of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia have drawn up a list of demands for the federal government, calling for the retention of the full pension after 45 years of contributions.
Thorsten Frei, previously head of the Chancellery, is the new chair of the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag. The confidant of Chancellor Friedrich Merz received 91.9 percent of the vote.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has appointed three new CDU ministers. Carsten Linnemann becomes health minister, Nina Warken head of the chancellery, and Steffen Bilger transport minister – but their swearing-in before parliament is not expected until September.
The German cabinet has approved the controversial energy laws proposed by Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), including amendments to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and a grid package.
Friedrich Merz (CDU) is carrying out a far-reaching reshuffle of his cabinet, as reported by the FAZ. The economy ministry is being further weakened, while Carsten Linnemann is designated as health minister.
The member of the Bundestag Franziska Hoppermann has been unanimously elected as the new General Secretary of the CDU. She succeeds Carsten Linnemann, who will become Federal Minister of Health.
Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) considers a blanket federal ban on expropriations by large housing companies at the state level to be legally hardly feasible. She doubts the constitutionality of such a ban.
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann is set to become the new health minister. According to media reports, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has persuaded him to accept a cabinet post after initial reluctance.
The German government is tightening its deportation policy: in future, even people without a criminal record can be deported to Afghanistan. Amnesty International sharply criticizes the decision.
The Union plans to significantly restrict the Freedom of Information Act (IFG). In the future, citizens and journalists will have to prove a "legitimate interest" to gain access to files.
Head of the Chancellery Thorsten Frei (CDU) is set to become the new chair of the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag. This was agreed upon by CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder, as reported by news agency dpa and ZDF, among others.
The German government has decided to make the Foundation Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation an independent entity. Until now, the institution was a dependent branch.
The AfD member of the Bundestag Martin Sichert is not allowed to run for district administrator in the Friesland district. The election committee in Jever decided this on Tuesday evening with a 5:1 vote.
Saxony's Minister Michael Kretschmer advocates for dialogue with all political parties, including the far-right AfD, directly contradicting CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who rules out cooperation with the AfD and the Left Party.
In the debate over surrogacy, former CDU leader Armin Laschet has sharply attacked constitutional lawyer Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, calling her statement 'something cruder'.
A wreath laid by the far-right AfD party sparked a physical altercation at the German government's memorial ceremony for the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler.
The AfD uses satire as a backdrop for party events, revealing its stance on unjust regimes and democracy. A commentary in the FAZ warns of the serious implications of such fantasies of violence.
The AfD federal executive has refrained from immediate consequences in the power struggle with the party leadership in North Rhine-Westphalia, but has set up an investigation committee to scrutinize the state association, as WDR learned from AfD circles.
At the central commemoration of the July 20, 1944 plot in Berlin, a scuffle broke out. According to a photographer for the German Press Agency, Tobias Korenke, a grandnephew of Nazi resistance fighter Dietrich Bonhoeffer, tried to remove a wreath placed by the AfD parliamentary group at the memorial in the Bendlerblock.
Jens Spahn's resignation, the Union is looking for a new parliamentary group leader. Today, the CDU leadership and the Bundestag faction are deliberating on the succession.