Germany Merz

• Friedrich Merz canceled his planned visit to the United Nations after the far-right AfD party won a key election. • State leaders issued a statement warning that Germany's political landscape needs stability amid rising nativist challenges. • The election result threatens Merz's leadership position and could lead to his removal if the far-right makes further gains this weekend.

• Eight state premiers from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) issued a joint statement on Wednesday backing leader Friedrich Merz. • The premiers urged the party to focus on listening and political action rather than personnel debates following an election defeat in Saxony-Anhalt. • This show of unity aims to provide stability for the CDU as it attempts to rebuild trust with voters.

• Friedrich Merz cancelled a scheduled phone call with Donald Trump following a social media post from Trump celebrating the electoral success of the AfD party. • Trump praised the AfD's rise in a post stating that voters were tired of "absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations" that hurt Germany. • The cancellation signals a diplomatic tension over Trump's interference in Germany's domestic political situation and election results.

• Friedrich Merz attacked the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in parliament following the far-right group's recent election victory. • Merz clashed with AfD leader Alice Weidel, claiming her migration policies amount to "ethnic cleansing" for skilled workers. • US President Donald Trump praised the AfD's success, attributing the win to "absolutely horrible immigration rules and regulations."

• Friedrich Merz of Germany canceled a scheduled phone call with Donald Trump following a social media post celebrating a victory for the AfD party. • The canceled communication followed a post that used the phrase "make Germany great again" to describe the AfD's success. • This diplomatic friction occurs as a report based on 5,800 interviews across six European nations describes a public that is ambitious yet disillusioned.

• The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved an election victory that puts them within reach of running their first state government. • Germany's domestic intelligence agency officially lists the AfD as a right-wing extremist organization. • This political shift increases pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to manage the rise of a party that is pro-Trump and friendly toward Moscow.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is continuing to push unpopular economic reforms following a landslide regional election victory by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. • Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev described the result as a historic win that will put migration under control and restore common sense to Europe. • The AfD victory creates a high probability of the first far-right state government in Germany, signaling a shift in the political landscape of Europe's largest economy.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his commitment to unpopular economic reforms on Monday following a landslide regional election victory by a far-right party. • The winning party is now positioned to potentially form the first far-right state government in Germany since the Nazi era. • This political shift puts pressure on the leadership of Europe's largest economy to balance necessary fiscal changes with rising right-wing sentiment.

• Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a key state election. • Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani described the result as "terrible news" because the party opposes liberal and western values. • The victory signals a shift in the European political landscape ahead of parliamentary races in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Poland next year.

• The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party celebrated a strong performance in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections, though they failed to secure a majority in the parliament. • Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani described the result as "terrible news" because the AfD represents a political force opposite to liberal and western values. • The outcome creates political uncertainty in Germany and signals a broader shift as several European nations prepare for key parliamentary and presidential races through 2027.

Group fail to secure majority in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament leaving uncertainty over next steps On Sunday night, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate, thanked Musk on X “for your support and for your clear and highly important perspective on the political developments of our time”, adding: “I would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation”.Siegmund wrote his comments after Musk said “Well done!” in German to AfD co-founder Alice Weidel, when she posted about the projected win. Continue reading...

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted leaders from Austria, Denmark, and Finland in Berlin on Thursday to coordinate a strategy among "frugal" EU member states. • The meeting serves as preparation for upcoming negotiations regarding the European Union's joint budget for the 2028-2034 seven-year period. • This alliance, which also includes the Netherlands and Sweden, advocates for tighter spending discipline, often clashing with nations like Italy, Spain, and Poland that favor higher spending.

• German politician Friedrich Merz vowed that those responsible for hybrid attacks against Germany "will pay" following the discovery of a third drone at Leipzig/Halle airport. • The airport is a critical logistics hub used by the German military and NATO allies for transporting military goods, and it serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. • These incidents highlight an escalation in hybrid warfare targeting strategic infrastructure, raising security concerns for NATO operations and Ukrainian support.

• The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition has agreed to a comprehensive package of tax, labor, and pension reforms following seven hours of intensive negotiations. • Led by Friedrich Merz, the reforms include significant tax cuts, a pension system overhaul, and updated regulations regarding sick leave. • These measures are designed to revitalize Germany's struggling economy and strategically counter the political rise of far-right parties.

Recommendations from commission propose gradual rise in retirement age to about 70 by the early 2090sEurope live – latest updatesGermany will gradually raise its retirement age to about 70 by the early 2090s under recommendations backed by the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, as a means of future-proofing the pension system for an ageing population.Presenting its findings on Tuesday, an expert commission set up to explore reforms to the pension system said retirement age should be linked to rising life expectancy and early retirement should be scrapped. Continue reading...

US president’s statement follows comments by German chancellor that the US was being ‘humiliated’ in conflictUS president Donald Trump threatened to reduce the number of troops deployed in Germany last night, after chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week that the US was being “humilitated” by Iran.Trump said the US was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time.”“The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago. No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise! President DONALD J. TRUMP” Continue reading...

The German chancellor has drawn condemnation from NGOs and members of his own governmentFriedrich Merz has drawn condemnation from NGOs and members of his own government after he called for the vast majority of Syrians living in Germany to “go back to their homeland.”The German chancellor, who was elected last year after promising a tough line on immigration in a bid to beat the far right, made the remarks during a visit to Berlin on Monday by the interim Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa. Continue reading...