Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Manuela Schwesig has been re-nominated as the SPD's lead candidate for the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, receiving a dream result of 98.9 percent of the votes at the party congress in Wismar.
German Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is pushing for stronger tax incentives for private long-term care insurance. The financing of care is one of the next major challenges for the coalition.
The FDP in Schleswig-Holstein has elected its state and parliamentary group leader Christopher Vogt as its top candidate for the 2027 state election. He received 94.42 percent of the votes at the state delegate conference in Neumünster.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) plans to abstain in all rounds of the election for minister-president in Saxony-Anhalt, refusing to back either the CDU or the AfD. According to Tagesspiegel, this abstention could hand the AfD a majority in the third round of voting.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has published its annual report for 2025, showing 117.3 million people displaced worldwide – a decrease from the previous year, but the situation remains dire.
Around three months before the state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt, the ruling parties are positioning themselves at their party conferences. According to Deutschlandfunk, the SPD, CDU and Greens are preparing for the election campaigns.
Germany's Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has defended compulsory schooling against calls for relaxation. She warned of a dangerous development, reports Deutschlandfunk.
German Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has warned of the foreign policy consequences if the AfD were to be included in a government. He issued the warning during the Stresemann Lecture.
Former soldier and TV presenter Ant Middleton has endorsed Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon for the Makerfield by-election, despite the party previously distancing itself from Middleton over his extreme views.
The EU Migration Pact officially came into force this Friday. According to Euronews, it introduces a central registration system, faster procedures, and a solidarity mechanism – but implementation in member states is lagging behind.
The Bundestag passed the national implementation law for the EU AI Act on Thursday. The Federal Network Agency will serve as Germany's central market surveillance authority for artificial intelligence, according to Heise.
The German Army plans to significantly expand its use of drones and unmanned weapon systems, according to its chief, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, speaking at the "Freedom Shield 2026" military exercise in Lithuania, as reported by the Abendzeitung München.
Germany's Federal Network Agency has initiated proceedings against Valve, the operator of the gaming platform Steam, over the racist game "Plantation Simulator." Digital Services Coordinator is examining whether Valve violated legal reporting obligations under the Digital Services Act.
Germany's state justice ministers have voted to abolish the special protection for top politicians against insults, while keeping it for local officials.
Hans Reichhart, a member of the CSU board, has spoken out against the planned increase in the mothers' pension. According to Deutschlandfunk, he considers the benefit unaffordable.
Bundesratspräsident Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) has warned against an overload of reforms. The Bremen mayor expressed criticism of the current reform dynamic, according to Deutschlandfunk.
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) pushes back against criticism for not flying the rainbow flag on the Reichstag building during Berlin's Christopher Street Day.
The Bundesrat has approved a law aimed at simplifying administrative procedures and reducing red tape within the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).
For decades, political disputes in Germany have been drawn along the line between rich and poor. But another conflict threatens the country's future: the generational divide between young and old.
The German government has presented a draft law to implement the European AI regulation. The aim is to create an innovation-friendly and reliable legal framework for artificial intelligence in Germany.
The planned building modernization law by the black-red federal government is facing broad criticism from the northern German states. According to NDR, the states have submitted nearly 70 proposed amendments.
The black-red coalition wants to suspend the automatic salary increase for Bundestag members this year. According to a report by Zeit, the plan is receiving cross-party approval.
British Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned after disagreements with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over defence spending. Healey criticised the insufficient funds given the current security situation.
A dispute has erupted within the EU over how to allocate €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility (EPF). According to the Kyiv Post, Poland and Slovakia demand full reimbursement for weapons already delivered, while Germany and Scandinavian countries insist on sending the funds directly to Ukraine.
Friedrich Merz delivered a government statement in the Bundestag on Thursday, emphasizing the need for reforms in Germany. Ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, he focused on domestic issues and announced measures in labor market, tax policy, and the welfare state.
German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is pushing to extend the statute of limitations for rape from five to 20 years. She also advocates for a "only yes means yes" principle in sexual criminal law.
Thuringia's Minister Mario Voigt (CDU) reportedly had speeches written by artificial intelligence. A commentary in Die Zeit criticizes that politicians thereby rob themselves of their most important resource: their own voice.
Berlin CDU faction has traveled to the Palatinate for a closed-door retreat to discuss tenant protection, public transport safety, and a ban on street prostitution. The meeting takes place 100 days before the state parliament election.
The Bundestag held its first debate on Friday over the new Building Modernization Act. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) wants to scrap the old heating law from the traffic-light coalition, while the opposition considers the plan a failure.
The leaders of Germany's black-red coalition met with representatives of business associations and trade unions at the Chancellery on Tuesday. According to Deutschlandfunk, they agreed to continue the discussions.
Berlin's Justice Senator Felor Badenberg (CDU) is calling for a swift reform of the criminal procedure code. At the Conference of Justice Ministers in Hamburg, she is introducing a motion that aims to relieve the burden on courts.
During Friedrich Merz's government policy statement in the Bundestag, CDU politician Jens Spahn accused the AfD of 'treason against the fatherland.' The speech ahead of the EU summit was broadcast live.
Just weeks before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, BSW top candidate Claudia Wittig has sharply criticized CDU State Sven Schulze's announcement as 'highly inappropriate' and questioned his ambitions for office.
Friedrich Merz (CDU) presented the German government's position to lawmakers on Tuesday ahead of the EU summit. According to Deutsche Welle, parliamentarians are debating domestic reforms and foreign policy priorities.
During the 'Youth and Parliament' simulation in the Bundestag, a scandal erupted over a White Power gesture. The AfD parliamentary group is at the center, with insults, hand signs, and a police operation.
Publisher Holger Friedrich has founded a new political consultancy firm. He advises companies and governments – and sees no conflict with his role as a newspaper publisher, as reported by FAZ.
The European Union plans to impose an entry ban on all individuals who served in the Russian armed forces during the war of aggression against Ukraine. This is part of the 21st sanctions package, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
The 630 members of the Bundestag will forgo the planned pay raise this year. According to Bayerischer Rundfunk, all parliamentary groups have agreed to cancel the increase of nearly 500 euros in monthly allowances.
Ahead of the coalition meeting, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has increased pressure on the governing partner SPD, according to the "Rheinische Post". He accuses the SPD of blocking the Infrastructure Future Act for months.
The CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary groups plan to scrap the planned increase in parliamentary allowances for this year. According to Welt, they aim to send a signal of austerity to the public.