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Merz’s CDU wins election in key German state, as support for AfD surges

Nationalist AfD nearly triples share of vote in local polls in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, preliminary results show.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative party has won local elections in the country’s most populous state, while the far-right Alter…[Read more]

Germany updates: Nord Stream suspect cleared for extradition

Lawyers for suspect Nord Stream saboteur Serhii K. argued at his extradition hearing that he was a soldier “following orders” during the September 26, 2022 incident and thus the “military nature of the alleged acts entails functional immunity.”

Neither K. nor his lawyers specified who…[Read more]

German carmakers, trade union jointly urge EU to drop combustion engine ban

Germany’s VDA car industry association and IG Metall metalworkers’ union on Thursday urged the European Union to drop plans to ban the production of CO2-emitting vehicles from 2035, joining a chorus of sector voices warning against the move.
VDA and the union said in a…[Read more]

Merz wants proactive spy agency to match German economic might

Germany needs its BND foreign intelligence service to operate at a level that reflects the country’s size and economic weight to deal with hybrid attacks from increasingly aggressive rivals, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday.
In a speech marking the inauguration of a new head…[Read more]

Merz: “We are and will remain ready to defend ourselves”

At a joint press conference with António Costa, president of the European Council, Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a statement about the violation of Polish NATO airspace by Russian drones. Merz said that he shared the assessment of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk “…[Read more]

Was the German pension system built to bust?

Germany is growing older and the pressure on the German pension system is increasing. The younger generation won’t be able to make up the difference, and economists think the elderly should foot the bill.

“People will always have children.” This is supposedly what Chancellor Konrad Adenauer said — h…[Read more]

Why the legacy of East Germany’s prefab housing blocks is more relevant than ever

Once considered progressive, then later derided, a new exhibition is exploring the developments’ place as part of a collective experience

Communist East Germany’s high-rise prefab residential blocks and their political and cultural impact in what was one of the b…[Read more]

Germany inaugurates Europe’s fastest computer

Europe’s fastest computer, the world’s fourth-fastest computer and the most energy-efficient computer ever -superlatives abound as Jupiter is inaugurated.

Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Hendrik Wüst, the state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, have inaugurated Europe’s fastest co…[Read more]

Germany tells nationals to leave Iran, fearing retaliation over sanctions

Germany has told its nationals to leave Iran and refrain from travelling there to avoid getting caught in retaliatory acts by Tehran over Germany’s role in triggering U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
Britain, France and Germany on Thursday launched a…[Read more]

Meeting between Merz and Macron: united for a strong Europe

Large parts of the German and French governments are meeting for a Franco-German Ministerial Council on economic and security policy issues today. Prior to this session, Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron had met at the French president’s summer home in Brégançon for initial talks. At t…[Read more]

UK, France and Germany move to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran

The UK, France and Germany have begun the process of restoring major UN sanctions on Iran – lifted under a 2015 deal – as tensions once again escalate over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The move will trigger a so-called snapback mechanism, which could result in the return of sanctions in…[Read more]

Germany’s Merz says Putin, Zelenskiy to meet within next two weeks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz credited U.S. President Donald Trump with persuading Russia’s President to agree to a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart.
This meeting, to which Vladimir Putin agreed during a phone call with Trump, would take place at a yet-to-be-determined…[Read more]

Wadephul visits Japan: key partner in Asia

A meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in the capital city Tokyo marked the start of Federal Minister Johann Wadephul’s inaugural visit to Japan. In view of the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip as well as the evolving relations with the USA, Wadephul highlighted the role of cooperation…[Read more]

German economists disappointed by Merz government’s slow reforms, survey shows

Economists in Germany say the new government’s lack of structural reforms, particularly to curb pensions costs, poses long term problems for Germany, even though a massive spending program will boost the economy in the short run.
Germany’s anaemic economy could be…[Read more]

European leaders comment on teleconference with Trump on Ukraine

Donald Trump joined a teleconference with European leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, two days before the U.S. leader is due to hold a summit in Alaska with Russia’s Vladimir Putin to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT…[Read more]

Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz marks 100 days in office

Friedrich Merz has begun curbing irregular immigration and shaping foreign policy, while cracks are appearing in his government.

Germany’s largest-circulation tabloid, Bild, has passed judgment on Chancellor Friedrich Merz : “The solitary chancellor explains his biggest mistake,” the…[Read more]

Germany’s ‘oldest and biggest’ gay nightclub declares bankruptcy

Germany’s “oldest and biggest” gay dance club has declared itself bankrupt after nearly half a century in business, falling victim to inflation and an evolving party culture threatening Berlin’s nightlife.

Management troubles and dating apps were among the factors putting Schwu…[Read more]

Germany to deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine in deal with US

Germany said on Friday that it will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the U.S. that Berlin will be first in line to receive the latest systems in return.
Thanks to the U.S. commitment, “Germany can initially support Ukraine with launchers and…[Read more]

Amount of aid entering Gaza is ‘very insufficient’, Germany says

The amount of humanitarian aid that Israel is allowing to enter the besieged Gaza Strip is “very insufficient”, the German government said Saturday, noting “limited initial progress” in getting more aid into the enclave. Aid agencies say that more than two million Palestinians are…[Read more]

Suedlink – transporting renewable energy to the south

Construction begins in Bavaria on the final stage of this major power infrastructure project.

A ceremonial event in Bavaria has marked the start of construction work on the final and southernmost sections of the major Suedlink project, a key component of Germany’s energy transition. From the…[Read more]