Central German state, Erfurt capital, green heart of Germany
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.
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.
Teenagers and young adults were convicted in Hamburg for planning and carrying out arson, bomb attacks and assaults on asylum shelters and left‑wing facilities. Sentences range from 1.5 to 5 years under juvenile law; some cases involved earlier raids and a “last line of defense for the German nation” group name. The rulings follow investigations into a surge of neo‑Nazi activity and radicalization among youths.
Germany is confronting a wave of hybrid threats including drone incursions, espionage, and cyber activity. Authorities say a drone loaded with explosives at Leipzig-Halle airport did not detonate, prompting a broader push to expand anti-drone capabilities and strengthen oversight. The incident underscores a persistent security challenge linked to foreign powers and the evolving nature of state-backed interference.