Germany’s top court urges Bundestag to speed up election review
The Federal Constitutional Court has admonished the Bundestag to process objections to the 2025 federal election more quickly. So far, only 450 of 1,041 objections have been resolved.
Category Politics
Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
SPD debates scrapping pension at 63
The German government wants to abolish the pension at 63, but there is resistance within the SPD. Parliamentary Secretary Dirk Wiese advocates for hardship exemptions, for example for shift workers.
Rhine at Record Low, Ceuta Crisis, and AI Speeches: Today’s Top Stories
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.
Ukraine sanctions 23 companies and 20 individuals from defense sector
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 23 companies and 20 individuals linked to Russia's military-industrial complex, according to a decree by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Pension at 63: Frei rejects states’ demands
Thorsten Frei (CDU) rejects any adjustments to the planned pension reform. As he told WELT TV, he sees no room for negotiation on abolishing the pension at 63.
Bundestag debates CSD attack: Queer community criticizes Merz
Bundestag's interior committee is meeting today to discuss the consequences of the attack on the Christopher Street Day parade in Berlin. Representatives of the queer community sharply criticize Friedrich Merz, as reported by ZDFheute.
Number of Children Receiving Basic Income Support Falls to 1.64 Million
The German government has released figures showing a decline in the number of children receiving basic income support, dropping from 1.75 million to 1.64 million within a year.
Schwesig threatens to veto scrapping of pension at 63
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.
Söder backs Merz and warns against new elections
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.
Söder sees CSU as anchor of stability and warns against copying AfD
CSU leader Markus Söder remained calm in the ARD summer interview, calling his party the "greatest anchor of stability in these turbulent times" despite weak local election results. He warned against copying the AfD in order to fight it.
Ceuta: 22 EU leaders sign open letter
Twenty-two EU heads of state and government have signed an open letter criticizing Spain over the migration crisis in Ceuta. German Friedrich Merz is among the signatories.
Trump: US can take what they want in Ukraine
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.
Left Party demands Germany take in migrants from Ceuta
The Left Party is calling on Germany and the EU to take in asylum seekers from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Deputy faction leader Clara Bünger said the situation is not a natural disaster but the result of political decisions.
Interior Committee to Discuss Security Implications of CSD Attack
Germany's Bundestag interior committee convenes on Tuesday to deliberate on consequences of the attack on Berlin's Christopher Street Day parade.
ZDF poll: Majority expects no improvement from cabinet reshuffle
According to the Politbarometer, a clear majority of Germans do not expect the cabinet reshuffle by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to improve the government's work. Only 17 percent believe in better performance, while 61 percent see no major impact.
Climate Alliance Calls for National Heat Summit
The Climate Alliance is urging the German government to hold a national heat summit to develop concrete measures for heat protection and climate adaptation.
Kretschmer threatens to block pension and care reform – Reiche pushes back
Saxony's Michael Kretschmer (CDU) threatens to block the federal government's pension and care reform in the Bundesrat. Economy Katherina Reiche (CDU) defends the plans.
Federal Government to Relieve States and Municipalities with Billions Until 2029
The federal government is supporting states and municipalities with around one billion euros annually until 2029. The cabinet approved a draft law on April 15, which came into force on July 30, 2026.
Union rejects lowering of five-percent threshold
Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag has rejected a reduction of the five-percent threshold. Deputy leader Günter Krings warned that it would make forming governments even more difficult.
Central German state premiers demand retention of pension at 45 years
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.
Merz Rules Out Further Personnel Changes for Now
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has ruled out further personnel changes for the time being, following criticism of his cabinet reshuffle. He also promises better communication of government policy, as reported by ZDFheute.
Thorsten Frei Elected Union Parliamentary Group Leader with 91.9 Percent
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.
Steinmeier appoints three new CDU ministers – swearing-in only in September
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.
Cabinet Approves Reiche’s Energy Laws – EEG and Grid Package
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.
Elif Eralp Calls for Calm After Terror Attack in Berlin
Elif Eralp, the lead candidate for the Left party in Berlin's upcoming election, has urged restraint following the Islamist terror attack in the capital. She rejects hasty tightening of security laws and insists on a thorough investigation first.
Hesse CDU loses second top post in Berlin
Michael Meister (CDU) is out as state minister in the Chancellery. As the FAZ reports, Hesse party colleagues honor him, but there is no revolt.
Hans-Jürgen Papier calls for three percent threshold in German federal elections
Hans-Jürgen Papier, former president of the Federal Constitutional Court, advocates lowering the electoral threshold from five to three percent, arguing the current rule disenfranchises millions of voters.
Merz reshuffles cabinet: Economy ministry weakened, Linnemann becomes health minister
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.
Wegner Demands Consequences Berlin Attack
Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner has called for consequences following Saturday's attack, emphasizing the need for a discussion on integration measures.
Franziska Hoppermann elected new CDU General Secretary
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.
Merz announces further cabinet reshuffle – personnel decisions pending
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has announced a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle. Concrete steps are still to be determined.
Hubig: Federal ban on real estate expropriations hardly feasible
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.
Nina Warken becomes first woman to head German Chancellery
The CDU is filling two key positions: Nina Warken becomes Chancellery minister, Franziska Hoppermann is set to become secretary-general. It is a success for the women of the Union.
Carsten Linnemann to Minister: Move to Health Portfolio
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.
German government expands deportations to Afghanistan
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.
Germany’s addiction commissioner accuses tobacco lobby of stalking
Hendrik Streeck, the German government's addiction commissioner, has accused the tobacco lobby of using stalking-like methods to pressure him. According to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), Streeck said industry representatives were literally set on him.
Union wants to massively restrict freedom of information law
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.
Thorsten Frei to Become New Union Parliamentary Group Leader
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.
Foundation Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation Becomes Independent
The German government has decided to make the Foundation Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation an independent entity. Until now, the institution was a dependent branch.
AfD Politician Sichert Barred from District Administrator Election in Friesland
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.