Loading...
Summary
Domestic
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) maintained strong polling support near 37% in some eastern states amid internal crises. Several state branches faced nepotism accusations, and police raided a Saxon politician's office over suspected embargo violations. Concurrently, federal and state governments discussed preparations for a potential AfD election victory. In a related legal development, a Cologne court ruled that Germany's domestic intelligence agency cannot classify the entire AfD as a suspected extremist group. Separately, parliament voted to lift the immunity of AfD lawmaker Maximilian Krah.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz was confirmed as leader of the CDU at a party conference and is seeking a second term. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) held internal discussions on its future course, with co-chair Bärbel Bas warning against cuts to the social welfare system. The SPD also began creating a new foundational policy program amid public debate over its leadership. Domestically, the Munich Security Conference concluded, and a local election campaign unfolded in Frankfurt.
International
The Munich Security Conference highlighted European anxiety over transatlantic relations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European officials expressed concern about a divide with the United States, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of a new geopolitical era. French President Emmanuel Macron argued Europe must become a strong, independent power, a vision Merz opposed by rejecting Macron's call for a European 'debt union'. Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni formed a new political partnership, signaling a shift in European power dynamics.
Merz undertook diplomatic travel to Beijing, meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where both expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation, and Merz urged China to use its influence regarding Ukraine. He also visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, aiming for strategic partnerships. During these engagements, Merz stated Europe needs to lose its 'nostalgia' for the U.S. and become more self-sufficient. He also opposed normalizing relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a position Russian officials sharply criticized.
Domestic and International Topics
42 topics | 1102 sources
USGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The meeting was part of Merz's broader trip to the United States, which occurred around the same time as the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany. At the Munich conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a major speech calling for Europe to align more closely with the United States to save Western civilization, a message European leaders received with caution. In his own address, Merz spoke of a growing divide between Europe and the U.S. and called for repairing and reviving transatlantic trust. He also disagreed publicly with French President Emmanuel Macron on several European policy issues, including debt and potential talks with Russia. Other notable figures at the conference included U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who warned Europe about Trump and accused him of ushering in an 'age of authoritarianism.' Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also attended, meeting with various world leaders and calling for major countries to practice multilateralism.
person:merzperson:rubioperson:trumporg:spdorg:natoorg:untopic:diplomacyplace:munich
Feb 27
CNGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to China for his first official visit. He met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and toured technology companies in Beijing and Hangzhou. Merz was accompanied by a large delegation of German business leaders. During the talks, both leaders emphasized a desire to strengthen economic ties and cooperation, with Xi calling for relations to be raised to a "new level." Merz, however, also raised concerns about trade imbalances and called for "fair competition." He reportedly asked China to use its influence to help end the war in Ukraine. The visit concluded with Merz stating challenges remained but that there was "great potential" in the relationship. Chinese officials described the trip as yielding positive results and injecting fresh momentum into ties.
person:merzperson:xiperson:trumporg:euorg:mofcomorg:mercedes-benztopic:aircrafttopic:cooperation
Feb 28
DEA German court ruled that the domestic intelligence service, the Verfassungsschutz, cannot temporarily classify the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a 'securely right-wing extremist' organization. The AfD celebrated the decision as a victory in an expedited legal proceeding. Numerous headlines also report on allegations of nepotism within the AfD, with party members accused of hiring relatives for taxpayer-funded jobs. In a separate legal matter, the German parliament lifted the immunity of AfD politician Maximilian Krah, allowing for potential prosecution. Polls show the AfD gaining significant support in some states ahead of future elections, while protests against the party continue. The party's federal board is reportedly discussing how to handle the nepotism allegations.
person:trumpperson:halembaperson:voigtorg:afdorg:ardtopic:nepotismtopic:banplace:berlin
Feb 26 — Feb 27
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is dealing with a major internal scandal involving allegations of nepotism and party infighting. The party is also facing multiple separate controversies and setbacks, including a failed legal bid by its parliamentary group to be allocated a specific meeting hall. These developments represent a significant internal crisis for the far-right party.
person:chrupallaperson:hockeperson:doroworg:afdtopic:nepotismplace:saxony-anhaltplace:thuringiaplace:thuringen
Feb 24 — Feb 27
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is seeking a second term after being confirmed as leader of the CDU at a party conference. He has been outlining his foreign policy vision and stated that his party will not cooperate with either the far-right AfD or the left-wing Die Linke, as he faces internal challenges within his party.
person:merzorg:cdutopic:rules-based orderplace:stuttgartplace:munichplace:europe
Feb 22 — Feb 28
EUAt an EU summit in Belgium, Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the bloc's bureaucracy amid tensions over solidarity among member states. Separately, German officials including the foreign minister criticized France for insufficient defense spending, highlighting disagreements within Europe on security priorities.
person:merzperson:von der leyenperson:macronorg:euplace:berlinplace:europeplace:belgium
Feb 12 — Feb 16
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is holding internal discussions about its future course and leadership. Party co-chair Bärbel Bas has warned against cuts to the social welfare system, calling such proposals a 'wrecking ball' for social policy. The party is also beginning a process to create a new foundational policy program. Meanwhile, there is public debate about whether Lars Klingbeil or Bärbel Bas should lead the party forward, and the SPD's parliamentary group has proposed nationalizing the German railway's security service.
person:basperson:klingbeilperson:steinmeierorg:spdorg:afdorg:cdutopic:welfare stateplace:brandenburg
Feb 27
Newly released court documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have named several German political figures and institutions. The documents mention former Chancellor Angela Merkel, current Chancellor Olaf Scholz's former secretary, and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Deutsche Bank is also implicated in the files, with reports detailing its financial dealings with Epstein. German opposition politicians are calling for a government investigation into the connections revealed by the documents.
person:epsteinperson:merkelperson:trumporg:afdorg:deutsche bankorg:ndr
Feb 23 — Feb 28
IRChancellor Friedrich Merz, condemned Iran's leadership and its recent attacks on Israel. He also expressed hope for a change in Iran's government. Merz's comments on Russia and President Vladimir Putin drew sharp criticism from Russian officials. While Merz has ruled out normalizing relations with Putin, a poll shows most Germans want dialogue with Russia. The German government says it is open to talks with Russia but opposes direct negotiations due to Putin's demands.
person:merzperson:putinperson:araghchitopic:diplomacyplace:germany
Feb 28
Berlin is dealing with severe winter weather, including icy rain that halted all departures at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. A court in Berlin has also stopped the private use of road salt, which has sparked controversy as the city struggles with icy conditions.
place:berlin
Feb 24 — Feb 26