Germany

The German economy is in a deep industrial restructuring, led by Volkswagen's announcement to cut up to 100,000 jobs and close four plants. The automotive sector faces additional shocks with Volkswagen ending its self-driving alliance with Bosch and selling its engine business amid Chinese competition. Meanwhile, Rheinmetall's IPO and Bosch's CEO change signal broader corporate shifts.

• 29Volkswagen plans to cut up to 100,000 jobs and close four German plants
• 15Lufthansa plane nose gear collapses at Frankfurt Airport, several injured
• 10Volkswagen ends self-driving alliance with Bosch
• 9Tank maker KNDS announces IPO in Frankfurt and Paris
• 7Rail line between Hamburg and Hannover closed, Hamburg-Berlin route reopens

Chancellor Merz is driving a reform agenda, pushing for pension reform by year-end and rejecting the Left Party, while also advocating for faster EU expansion and a UN Security Council seat. Germany's loss of the UN Security Council seat marks a diplomatic setback, and the AfD's Weidel is positioning herself for the chancellery by vowing to restore German-Russian ties.

• 19US Supreme Court sides with Bayer in Roundup cancer lawsuits
• 18Merz calls for reform willingness in government statement
• 18Germany loses UN Security Council seat for first time
• 14Chancellor Merz plans pension reform by year-end, rejects Left Party
• 14Chancellor Merz travels to Western Balkans summit

Security concerns are dominated by domestic violence, with two shootings at youth facilities killing eleven people, and a life sentence for the Christmas market attacker. Defense policy faces upheaval as Germany and France abandon the joint fighter jet project, and Pistorius reportedly plans to end the frigate project F126, while German soldiers in Lithuania may not all be volunteers.

• 23Six killed in shooting at youth facility in northern Germany
• 21Germany and France abandon joint fighter jet project
• 9Hamburg Airport Terminal Evacuated After Security Incident
• 6Christmas market attacker jailed for life for murdering six in Germany
• 6Pistorius reportedly plans to end frigate project F126

Society is strained by a record heatwave that has set new temperature highs across Germany, causing infrastructure damage, while poverty has risen to a new high. Political polarization intensifies with protests against Merz and migration, and an AfD politician faces accusations of a Hitler salute.

• 15Record heat hits Germany and Denmark as European heatwave moves east
• 5AfD politician accused of showing Hitler salute
• 5Thousands protest in Berlin against migration and Chancellor Merz
• 5Germany news: Poverty rises to new high, charity group says
• 4Earthquake in Venezuela, first flight carrying relief and aid departs from Germany