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Chancellor Merz pursues a dual-track foreign policy of strengthening transatlantic ties while securing economic deals with China, as domestic politics are roiled by a court ruling protecting the AfD and society remains polarized over international conflicts.
February 2026
Week of Feb 23, compared to 12-week average
Top sources covering Germany
neutral factual reporting
The economy is advancing in high-tech sectors while facing regulatory and infrastructure challenges. Siemens Energy reported record profits and won a major order for driverless trains, and Telekom launched a massive AI factory with Nvidia. However, the German competition authority fined Amazon, and a key railway renovation between Berlin and Hamburg was delayed indefinitely.
Politics is dominated by Chancellor Merz's foreign engagements and a significant domestic court ruling. Merz called for rebuilding transatlantic trust in Munich and then traveled to Beijing to discuss strengthening ties with China. Domestically, a court stopped German intelligence from labeling the AfD as 'confirmed extremist', a major legal victory for the party.
Security policy is focused on military modernization and force protection amid Middle East instability. The parliamentary committee approved kamikaze drones and parliament passed a law expanding military drone defense powers. Concurrently, Germany withdrew troops from Iraq and arrested port workers for attempted sabotage of warships in Hamburg.
Society is polarized over the conflict in Gaza, with the crisis at the Berlinale film festival serving as the primary flashpoint. The festival faced a leadership crisis over its Gaza debate, prompting an emergency meeting, with filmmakers criticizing its stance and an Indian author pulling out. In parallel, parliament voted to tighten asylum policy.
