Bundestag to Skip Pay Raise for MPs This Year
The planned increase in salaries for members of the Bundestag will not go ahead this year, according to a report by Handelsblatt.
Category Politics
Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Unions Reject Farage’s Overture
Britain's major trade unions have rebuffed Nigel Farage's call for them to affiliate with Reform UK, accusing the party of cosplaying as workers' champions while opposing new employment rights, the Guardian reports.
SPD wants to phase out border controls – Union opposes
Just days before the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) comes into force, the SPD wants to gradually reduce border controls with neighboring countries. The Union considers this premature, as reported by Deutschlandfunk.
Klingbeil supports mandatory company pension
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has backed the German Trade Union Federation's (DGB) proposal to make company pensions mandatory for all employees.
CDU in Saxony-Anhalt distances itself from Merz in election campaign
The CDU in Saxony-Anhalt is keeping its distance from Friedrich Merz during the state election campaign. According to Spiegel, the state party is deliberately distancing itself from its own chancellor, even though Merz could provide support on the campaign trail.
Merz, Macron and Starmer Seek to Ukraine Diplomacy
Germany, France and Britain want to restart stalled efforts to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed on this at a meeting in London.
Chancellor’s Office Invites to Reform Summit – Coalition Tempers Expectations
On Wednesday, the government, unions, and business associations will meet at the Chancellery to discuss pressing reform projects. However, the coalition is dampening expectations for the top-level meeting, as Zeit reports.
German government commemorates victims of flight and expulsion
On June 20, 2026, the German government will hold the 12th memorial hour for the victims of flight and expulsion at the Konzerthaus Berlin, as announced by the government.
German government cannot quantify climate impact of heating law
The German government is apparently unable to clearly assess the climate impact of the planned Building Modernization Act. This emerges from a government response to a query by the Greens, as reported by the Funke media group.
Coalition Invites Social Partners to Reform Talks
The leaders of Germany's black-red governing coalition have invited employers and unions to a meeting on Wednesday. According to Tagesspiegel, Friedrich Merz (CDU) hopes for 'inclusion and input' but stresses that politicians alone will decide on reforms.
Union rejects suspension of Bundestag summer recess
Union faction's First Parliamentary Secretary, Steffen Bilger, has rejected calls to suspend the Bundestag's summer recess, according to Deutschlandfunk.
Al-Wazir accuses transport ministry of misplaced priorities
The chair of the German parliament's transport committee, Al-Wazir (Greens), has accused the federal transport ministry of setting the wrong priorities for infrastructure projects. According to Deutschlandfunk, there is a lack of funds for renovating existing bridges.
Lammy confronts Vance: ‘You are wrong’ about Nowak murder
UK Justice David Lammy has told US Vice President JD Vance that his remarks linking the murder of Henry Nowak to mass immigration are false. Lammy said he called Vance to correct the record.
CDU leader Peters: MV voters want substantive debate
Daniel Peters, the newly re-elected CDU state chairman in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, wants to focus his state election campaign on the economy, healthcare, education, and internal security. The people in the state are longing for a substantive debate, Peters told NDR.
Ilm-Kreis: District Administrator Wants to Blockade of Democracy Funding
The district council of Ilm-Kreis in Thuringia rejected funding for democracy projects at the request of the AfD. The non-partisan district administrator now plans to reverse the decision, according to Spiegel.
Kubicki sends SMS to Merz: ‘Mission Impossible is completed’
FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki has sent a text message to Friedrich Merz (CDU) reading 'Moin, Friedrich. Mission Impossible is completed.' The message comes as Kubicki aims to lift the Free Democrats out of political irrelevance.
AfD in Saxony-Anhalt Wants to Abolish Compulsory School Attendance
The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt plans to abolish compulsory school attendance if it takes power. Education researcher Ricking told Welt why the German model causes astonishment abroad.
Weimer Calls for ‘Kulturkampf’ Against the AfD
Claudia Weimer has called for a 'Kulturkampf' against the AfD. Despite the far-right party's surge in polls, she expressed confidence that the tide would soon turn, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
German government rejects more transparency
The German government sees little need for action to increase state transparency, as reported by Heise. Previously, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) had called for more openness.
Söder opposes Pistorius’ Bundeswehr plans
Markus Söder (CSU) is heading for a confrontation with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). He warns against weakening the Bundeswehr's state commands, as WELT reports.
Coalition sharply criticizes nursing care reform
The nursing care reform proposed by CDU Minister Warken is facing fierce opposition from within her own coalition parties. The SPD calls it a 'burden package,' while the CSU warns of a 'shunting yard toward social welfare.'
Strack-Zimmermann: Merkel’s CDU course was a mortal sin
FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has described the course of former CDU chairwoman Angela Merkel as a 'mortal sin'. According to WELT, she accuses Merkel of having allowed political space to the right of the Union.
Karin Prien: Family Minister Wants to Restructure Parental Allowance
Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has spoken to Politico Europe about restructuring a popular family benefit amid budget savings requirements. She also advocated for a pragmatic approach to the EU Pay Transparency Directive.
Turkish Opposition, Putin’s War Rhetoric, and KNDS Corruption
The Turkish opposition is struggling against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – and with itself. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is downplaying the war, while corruption allegations against tank manufacturer KNDS are hardening, according to Spiegel.
CDU cancels presidium meeting in Magdeburg
The CDU leadership has canceled its presidium meeting planned for late August in Magdeburg. The cancellation came at the request of the minister-president of Saxony-Anhalt, according to Spiegel.
Starmer accuses Musk of interfering in British politics
UK Keir Starmer has accused Elon Musk of meddling in the country's politics and sowing division, following Musk's posts about the murder of Henry Nowak that Starmer says echo far-right themes.
Nursing Reform: Warken Plans Fewer Subsidies and Higher Burden for High Earners
Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is planning a nursing care reform that cuts subsidies for home care costs and increases the financial burden on high earners, according to Deutschlandfunk.
CDU politician Throm questions naturalization law
A record number of people naturalized in Germany in 2025, but CDU politician Throm criticizes the trend, alleging preferential treatment for certain groups.
UK government rejects ‘two-tier justice’ claim after Nowak murder
The British government has rejected accusations of a 'two-tier justice' system following the murder of 14-year-old Henry Nowak, calling them a 'slur' on the police. Lucy Rigby made the statement in an interview with Sky News on Thursday, as reported by the Guardian.
Union wants to scrap EU pay transparency law
Opposition is growing within the Union against the EU Pay Transparency Directive. According to WELT, CDU and CSU politicians are urging the federal government to negotiate its withdrawal in Brussels.
Germany fails in UN Security Council election – sharp criticism of Merz
Germany has suffered a defeat in the election for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Reactions from German politics describe the outcome as a 'blamage', 'quittung' and 'defeat', according to Deutschlandfunk.
Berlin CDU presents election program with video surveillance
The Berlin CDU has presented its election program, which includes video surveillance, edge development, and criticism of the Greens. The draft is to be adopted at a state party conference on June 9, as reported by Tagesspiegel.
Right to Information Should Be in Basic Law – Federal Commissioner Demands Transparency Act
Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, the Federal Commissioner for Freedom of Information, is calling for a transparency law and constitutional protection of the right to access government information. The goal is an amendment to the Basic Law.
Green Party Reform Dispute: Berlin Court to Rule Soon
A Berlin court is expected to decide in the coming days on the future of the Green Party's planned reform, which has sparked significant internal conflict, according to Tagesspiegel.
Trump uses office for personal enrichment – son buys conspicuously stocks
US Donald Trump is reportedly using the power of his office more aggressively than ever for private gain. According to Tagesspiegel, data show extremely conspicuous stock purchases by his son.
Germany Bids for UN Security Council Seat – Schröder Spotted in Moscow
Germany is seeking a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been spotted in Moscow, according to Spiegel.
Germany’s UN Security Council Seat: Decision on Wednesday
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is fighting for a German seat on the UN Security Council. The decision on whether Germany will secure the seat comes on Wednesday.
CDU interior expert Krings calls for change to dual citizenship law
Amid rising naturalizations of dual nationals, CDU interior expert Krings is demanding an amendment to the citizenship law.
Wagenknecht calls for cross-party minister-president with AfD
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has called the firewall against the AfD 'completely idiotic' and demanded a cross-party minister-president who would govern with shifting majorities, including AfD votes, ahead of state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
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.