New Hamburg-Hannover Rail Line: SPD and CDU Postpone Decision
SPD and CDU want to postpone the decision on the new Hamburg-Hannover rail line. According to NDR, the vote is now expected after the local elections in Lower Saxony in September.
Category Politics
Political news, decisions and debates from Germany, Europe and the world, reported with clear source attribution.
Revelations about power outage put pressure on Wegner ahead of garden party
According to a report by Tagesspiegel, research shows that Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) did not make any official phone calls on the morning of the January 3 power outage, contrary to his own statement.
Canada joins German-Norwegian submarine program
Canada, Germany and Norway have agreed on a strategic security partnership. According to a joint statement, Canada is joining the German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine cooperation.
Germany reports record NATO spending of 124.7 billion euros
The German government has reported record defense spending of 124.7 billion euros to NATO for 2026, the alliance announced at the start of its summit in Ankara.
Czech Republic may extradite neo-Nazi Liebich to Germany
The Prague High Court has rejected the appeal of convicted far-right extremist Marla Svenja Liebich against her extradition to Germany, a court spokeswoman said.
CDU Workers’ Wing Warns Against Excessive Distrust in Sick Leave Rules
The workers' wing of the CDU (CDA) has criticized the plans of the black-red coalition to require a doctor's note from the first day of illness. CDA leader Dennis Radtke warned on ZDF's Morgenmagazin against sending the wrong signal.
NATO Summit in Ankara: Merz Aims to Show Strength
Friedrich Merz (CDU) will attend the NATO summit in Ankara from July 7 to 8. The heads of state and government of the 32 NATO members plan to decide on stronger support for Ukraine and give Europe more responsibility for security.
SPD Deputy Floor Leader Esdar Defends New Debt in Federal Budget
Wiebke Esdar, deputy chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group, has defended the planned new borrowing in the federal budget against criticism. The new loans are primarily needed for the Bundeswehr, she said on Deutschlandfunk.
Transparency Officers Criticize Coalition’s Reform
Federal and state transparency officers have sharply criticized the black-red coalition's reform plan, which proposes significant restrictions to the Freedom of Information Act (IFG).
Green Party politician von Notz warns of AfD access to intelligence services
Konstantin von Notz, security policy spokesperson for the Greens, shares Defense Minister Boris Pistorius's concern that the AfD could gain access to intelligence information if it enters government. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, von Notz said the AfD is too close to Russia, similar to its sister party FPÖ in Austria.
German government commemorates resistance against Hitler on July 20, 2026
The German government is holding a memorial ceremony at the Berlin Bendlerblock on July 20, 2026, marking the 82nd anniversary of the assassination and coup attempt against Hitler. Federal Minister Karin Prien will deliver the address, and Bundestag Vice President Andrea Lindholz will lay a wreath.
Cabinet Approves Record 2027 Budget with Spending Cuts
The German cabinet is set to approve the 2027 budget draft on Monday. Despite record spending of 670 billion euros, most ministries face cuts.
Wadephul wants Iran to pay for mine clearance in Strait of Hormuz
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) wants Iran to share the costs of a possible mine clearance operation in the Strait of Hormuz, reports Handelsblatt.
Klingbeil presents 2027 budget draft with record debt
Finance Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has presented the draft for the 7 federal budget, which includes new borrowing of over 200 billion euros, primarily for infrastructure and defense.
SPD demands clear words from Merz on Turkey human rights
The SPD is calling on Friedrich Merz (CDU) to sharply criticize Turkey's human rights record at the NATO summit in Ankara, following recent arrests of journalists and opposition figures.
Frei defends reform package: ‘A huge step forward’
Head of the Chancellery Thorsten Frei (CDU) has defended the federal government's planned reforms against criticism. On ZDF's 'Berlin direkt', he promised noticeable relief for many people.
Klingbeil defends higher new borrowing in federal budget
Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has defended the planned increase in new borrowing for the federal budget next year. At the same time, he announced a stricter austerity course.
Klingbeil defends reforms, warns of burdens for all
Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) defended the black-red coalition's reform plans in an ARD summer interview and acknowledged that there would be burdens for everyone. The SPD chairman pointed to years of reform backlog and announced a stricter austerity course.
Reform UK: Farage failed to declare gifts from convicted crypto entrepreneur
Nigel Farage, leader of Britain's Reform Party, did not declare gifts and benefits from George Cottrell, a crypto entrepreneur convicted of fraud. The party's economic spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, admitted this.
Reform Stalls: Greens Summon Reiche to Committee
The planned reform of Germany's Renewable Energy Act (EEG) is making no progress. The Greens blame Economy Katherina Reiche (CDU) and want to summon her before the Bundestag Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy.
Union parliamentary group rejects Left Party’s constitutional complaint against heating law
The Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag has sharply criticized the Left Party's announced constitutional complaint against the so-called heating law. According to Deutschlandfunk, deputy Union parliamentary group leader Sepp Müller rejected the Left Party's objections.
Health Insurance Chief Warns Coalition Against Backing Down on Savings Plans
The head of Germany's statutory health insurance association has warned the black-red coalition not to weaken planned cost-cutting measures in healthcare, citing massive lobbying pressure and the risk of higher premiums.
Woidke Criticizes Federal Government Over Eastern Europe Policy
Brandenburg's Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has accused the federal government of underestimating the economic importance of Eastern Europe. He spoke during a visit by Pawel Gancarz, the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
EU sanctions six Russian scientists over Navalny’s death
The European Union has imposed sanctions on six Russian scientists linked to the production of epibatidine, the deadly toxin found in the body of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny after his death.
De Croo: EU budget must combine defense and development aid
Alexander De Croo, UN development chief and former Belgian prime minister, argues in an interview with Euronews that the long-term EU budget must balance defense and development spending, as both are crucial for Europe's security.
Baltic Sea in poor condition: Schneider dives for marine protection
Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) took part in a dive to search for ghost nets during his summer trip to the Baltic Sea. According to FAZ, the Baltic Sea is in poor condition, and an action plan is intended to remedy the situation.
Wagenknecht Slams Reform as ‘Fooling the People’
Sahra Wagenknecht, founder of the BSW party, has sharply criticized the planned tax reform by the black-red coalition, calling it a 'Volksveralberung' (fooling the people). She argues that the promised relief of 600 euros includes 312 euros from child benefits, which she says amounts to deceiving the public.
Sick note from day one: coalition agrees on principle
The coalition leaders want to make the requirement for a medical certificate from the first day of illness practical. Lars Klingbeil (SPD) spoke of a basic agreement.
Merz Promotes Reform Package on TV: ‘Acceptable’ Wealth Tax
Friedrich Merz defended the coalition's reform package on ARD and ZDF, calling the planned higher wealth tax 'acceptable.'
Klingbeil Defends Reform Package as Balanced Compromise
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has defended the federal government's reform package as a 'balanced compromise' on ZDF and warned against downplaying the results.
Reform Plans: IG Metall Calls It an Attack on Workers’ Rights
The reform plans of the Union and SPD are facing sharp criticism from the opposition, business associations, and unions. While employers praise the policy shift, IG Metall describes it as an attack on workers' rights.
Stade Case: SPD Politician Kurku Reveals Family Connection
SPD state parliament member Deniz Kurku has admitted that the suspected driver of the getaway car in the Stade case is his mother-in-law, according to NDR.
AfD Five Points Ahead of Union in Germany Trend
The AfD is five percentage points ahead of the Union in the ARD "Germany Trend" poll. This is according to the latest survey by Infratest dimap.
Merz’s Chancellorship: Between Reform Appeal and Political Fatigue
Friedrich Merz (CDU) called on all parties to support the upcoming reforms in his government statement – but the balance is subdued. According to Zeit, the appeal reads like an admission of stagnation.
Federal Law Planned to Prevent Expropriation of Rental Apartments
The German government plans to pass a federal law preventing the nationalization of rental apartments. The housing industry welcomes the move, while The Left accuses Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) of acting out of fear of losing the Berlin election.
Union and SPD Reform Package on Taxes, Pensions, and Sick Notes
Union and SPD have presented a reform package that restructures income tax, pensions, and sick notes. According to WELT, the editorial team has a twelve-page document detailing the measures.
Coalition Committee Agrees on Reform Package for Growth and Employment
The leaders of the CDU, CSU, and SPD have agreed on a comprehensive package for growth and employment. Details are to be presented in the morning, as reported by ARD.
18 Months in Prison for Attack on Election Campaigners in Delmenhorst
A court in Delmenhorst has sentenced a man to 18 months in prison without parole for attacking three Green Party election campaigners in Bookholzberg in January 2025, seriously injuring one of them. The court deemed the attack right-wing extremist.
Green Party Members Vote Overwhelmingly for Reform
Germany's Green Party has concluded its internal membership vote on a controversial reform package. All 17 proposals secured the required majority, with around 35 percent of the roughly 184,000 members participating.
German government plans draft law to strengthen Bundeswehr
The German government wants to make reservists liable for exercises again in the future to strengthen defense capabilities.