Far-right, national-conservative party in Germany
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned after preliminary results showed the centre-left bloc led by Magdalena Andersson winning 176 of 349 seats, against 173 for Kristersson's right‑wing bloc. The Sweden Democrats lost support for the first time since 2010. Andersson is beginning talks with centre-left partners to try to form a government as final counts are completed.
Taleb al-Abdulmohsen has been found guilty of six murders and attempted murder in Magdeburg. The court rules the crime as of particular severity, making release unlikely after 15 years. The rampage occurred on December 20, 2024, targeting a Christmas market and leaving multiple dead and injured.
Germany's government has unveiled a broad package of reforms, including €10 billion in annual tax relief for lower-income earners, pension overhauls, tighter sick-leave rules, and reduced bureaucracy. The plan, financed by raising the top tax rate for high earners, aims to boost growth and competitiveness but faces mixed reactions from unions and business groups as it seeks Bundestag and Bundesrat approval.
Thousands of protesters have mobilised in Erfurt as the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has held its national congress to re‑elect co‑leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. Police have deployed large numbers to clear blockades; most delegates have reached the conference and voting has gone ahead as planned.
Citizen Lab has found that Stelios Kouloglou's iPhone was infected with Pegasus at least three times in 2022–23 while he served on the European Parliament's PEGA committee investigating spyware. Researchers say they have high confidence in the forensic evidence but do not attribute responsibility; the findings have prompted calls in Brussels for stronger limits on spyware.
Jens Spahn has stepped down as parliamentary group leader of Germany’s CDU/CSU after revelations he and his husband used a US surrogate to become parents. The move follows internal party pressure and raises questions about credibility and surrogacy policy in Germany.
At a memorial site for the July 20 plotters, Tobias Korenke has intervened to remove a wreath placed by AfD; security intervened, wreath damaged. AfD’s role and presence at memorials are disputed as Germany marks the anniversary.
Merkel-era pressures persist as Conservative leader Friedrich Merz reshuffles his cabinet amid surging AfD support in eastern Germany. Internal party realignments aim to stabilize governing coalition and blunt far-right momentum ahead of regional elections.
Authorities have identified 21-year-old Abdul Ballout as the suspect who has driven a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Christopher Street Day closing party, then stabbed people; one woman has died and about 29–31 people have been injured. Police have shot and killed Ballout after a manhunt, and investigators have found a video and other material referencing Islamic State on devices linked to him.
One person has died and several others are injured after a vehicle rammed into crowds at Berlin's Christopher Street Day celebrations near the Brandenburg Gate. Authorities identify Abdul Ballout, a 21-year-old German citizen of Lebanese heritage, as the suspect with Islamist links. The case has sparked renewed calls for security measures and scrutiny of radicalisation pathways.
A 21-year-old German national, Abdul Ballout, has driven a van into crowds near Berlin's Pride festival, then stabbed others. One woman has died and numerous people are injured as authorities investigate an Islamic State link. Ballout has been killed in a police confrontation; prosecutors say he sought to join IS and had prior convictions. Investigations focus on how he moved freely after prior sentences.
Migrants have surged into Ceuta, Spain, prompting Spain and Italy to intensify border controls. Italy has temporarily suspended Schengen with Spain and called for stronger external borders; Spain reports most migrants have returned to Morocco. EU interior ministers will convene to address the border emergency.
Afghan Taliban diplomacy in Kabul and Europe is shaping migration policy. Germany has expanded deportations and opened Taliban‑led missions, raising safety concerns for Afghan activists and refugees who fled the regime. The move comes as Western states balance pragmatism with human rights warnings.
Germany is coordinating a response to the Leipzig airport drone attack, with officials linking multiple drones and traces of hexogen to a potential Russia-linked action. Berlin promises further details and sanctions in alignment with EU partners as investigations continue.
The AfD has surged in Saxony-Anhalt, threatening to win an outright majority in the state election. CDU trails and coalition dynamics loom as parties weigh their options in the wake of a results shock that could reshape Germany’s political landscape.
The AfD has secured 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, threatening an absolute majority; CDU support has fallen, and the election signals a potential shift in Germany’s political landscape as Russia ties and migration policies figure prominently in the party’s platform.
The AfD has finished first in Saxony-Anhalt with about 43–44% of the vote, short of an absolute majority. CDU falls sharply, while BSW hints at possible cooperation. The result challenges Germany’s firewall against governing with the far right and raises questions about future coalition dynamics.
Saxony-Anhalt has delivered a landslide for the AfD, with CDU’s share falling to 17% and the far-right party signaling coalition-building. Merz has acknowledged the defeat, pledging to press on with reforms as the party faces a reshaped national landscape.
Volkswagen has agreed to sell its Osnabrück factory to Aurelius Capital and the state of Lower Saxony and has announced an initial partnership with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems to produce air‑defence components from mid‑2027. The deal will secure at least 1,200 jobs and forms part of VW's broader Future Plan 2030 restructuring and 100,000 job reductions.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won almost 44% in Saxony-Anhalt, threatening to form Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II. Minorities fear an uptick in hostility and calls grow to curb the party. Several eastern and western states vote soon, testing coalition dynamics and Germany’s post-war memory culture.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won roughly 44% of the vote in Saxony‑Anhalt, taking 39 of 83 seats and falling three short of an outright majority. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned the result, calling the party's "remigration" plans ethnic cleansing, while international figures including Donald Trump and Elon Musk have praised the AfD's performance.
A final count has given Magdalena Andersson’s centre-left bloc a slim parliamentary majority with 176 seats to the incumbent right’s 173, decided by about 50,359 votes. Ulf Kristersson has submitted his resignation and the speaker has begun consultations to nominate a new prime minister. Andersson has invited left parties to coalition talks.
The far-right AfD has won a sweeping victory in Saxony-Anhalt, triggering fears of a broader European shift. Protests and immigration-related tensions have flared in Dover and Portsmouth as UK scenes reflect growing nationalist sentiment. Leaders warn of destabilising consequences for EU cohesion and NATO unity.
The AfD has topped voting in Saxony-Anhalt and is forming talks to lead the state government, while about 150,000 demonstrators across 20 cities protest calls to ban the party. Berlin hosts a counter-rally as mainstream parties face pressure over the rise of Germany’s far right.
Multiple sources report Russia’s renewed strikes on Ukraine while warnings rise of hybrid attacks aimed at weakening NATO. Polish officials warn border and energy infrastructure could be targeted; leaders plan Ukraine visits and sanctions discussions.
European governments, led by Germany, have moved to cut energy taxes and cap fuel prices ahead of elections as oil markets stay volatile amid Middle East tensions. The steps aim to ease consumer burden while lawmakers debate windfall taxes on oil majors.
Regional ballots in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have shown heavy losses for Friedrich Merz’s CDU and strong gains for the far-right AfD, following the AfD’s landslide in Saxony-Anhalt two weeks earlier. Merz has cancelled travel, called a CDU leadership meeting and cleared his calendar as party figures warn the results will increase pressure on his leadership today, 20 Sep 2026.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin vote results show the CDU under pressure as AfD gains momentum. Merz faces calls to resign as the party struggles with coalition prospects in a changing political landscape ahead of federal elections in 2029.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to press ahead with reforms after two state election losses, including a historic CDU setback in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The AfD leads nationally, while Berlin sees a left-wing surge and CDU underperforms in Saxony-Anhalt's aftermath. Merz pledges backbone and patience.
The CDU has suffered a stinging setback in two regional elections, with Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern shifting away from Chancellor Merz’s leadership. Merz vows to press ahead with reforms as coalition partners question details and support remains precarious ahead of next year’s state elections.