The AfD faction in the Thuringian state parliament is trying to dissolve parliament and bring about new elections. This requires a two-thirds majority, which is unlikely given the current distribution of seats. If the vote fails, Björn Höcke will announce a referendum.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee, Marc Henrichmann, comments on the suspicion of espionage against the former BND employee Hanning and warns of a loss of trust in partner secret services. He emphasizes the need for complete information, transparent reforms and strengthening control while simultaneously expanding the BND's operational powers.
Felix Banaszak, federal chairman of the Green Party, criticizes the election of Tobias Rausch from the AfD as the first state parliament president since 1945 as a sign of the normalization of right-wing extremism. He points out that some CDU MPs voted against their parliamentary group leader's recommendation to abstain and sees this as a bad sign for the upcoming election of the Prime Minister.
Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) announces that she will present the draft law for a new social service in the next few weeks. It emphasizes the creation of a legal entitlement and financial attractiveness of the service, regardless of the parental home. Prien was returning from a visit to Kiev, during which she visited a kindergarten that had already been targeted by Russian drones.
After the election of the first AfD state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt, SPD MPs gathered for a protest march through Berlin to Bebelplatz. They carried Basic Law books and at the end sang the national anthem to demonstrate against right-wing extremism.
The black-red coalition has submitted a joint application for the new line between Hanover and Hamburg. The Transport Committee will deliberate on Wednesday and the Bundestag will decide on Thursday evening. Despite progress, it could be decades before the first trains run on the new route.
Thuringia's SPD Interior Minister Georg Maier is calling for an AfD ban to be examined and cites the party's increasing proximity to Russia as a possible motive. He is confident that the evidence will be successful and expects a Federal Council decision this year.
After the election of AfD politician Tobias Rausch as state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt, the SPD parliamentary group demonstrated in Berlin. The election of Hans-Thomas Tillschneider as Vice President is also causing a stir and debates across party lines.
After the election victory of the Berlin Left Party, around 80 people from politics and civil society warned in an open letter against a coalition with the party. They fear that the safety of Jews in Berlin would no longer be guaranteed. The signatories include Wolfgang Thierse, Joschka Fischer, Peter Altmaier as well as representatives of the Jewish community and the Ibn Rushd Goethe Mosque.
Germany and France are working on a joint position paper to resolve the blockage in weakening the ban on combustion engines and the industrial accelerator law. Macron would give up his resistance to CO₂ limits, Merz would give up his rejection of strict “Made in EU” rules. The deal could enable a majority in the Council of Ministers and unblock the European Parliament before the super election year of 2027 begins.
After the election of AfD politician Tobias Rausch as President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, the SPD parliamentary group in Berlin protested from the Bundestag across the Brandenburg Gate to Bebelplatz. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke of breaking the taboo of parliamentary democracy and sang the national anthem. SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch warned of an alarm level for democracy. According to media reports, several CDU MPs may have voted for Rausch in exchange for the election of a CDU politician as state parliament vice-president.
After the election to the Berlin House of Representatives, over 80 signatories from politics and civil society warned against a coalition with the left in a “Berlin Appeal for Responsibility”. They demand a government majority that represents broad social interests and is committed to the rule of law and democracy. Among the first signatories are Wolfgang Thierse, Joschka Fischer and Peter Altmaier. The appeal emphasizes the protection of Jewish life and the differentiation from extremism. The Left, the Greens and the SPD are planning a third preliminary discussion to form a coalition.
The first AfD state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt received four more votes than the combined seats of the AfD and BSW in the Magdeburg state parliament. According to SPIEGEL information, Christian Democrats are looking for the culprits for the additional votes.
Tobias Rauch of the AfD was elected President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt with 48 votes, including votes from CDU MPs and BSW members. The election signals a possible end to the AfD's political isolation and is being celebrated as a success by the party leadership.
Tobias Rausch from the AfD is elected President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt with 48 yes votes, even though the AfD and BSW only have 44 seats. The Left and the Greens accuse the CDU of secretly voting for the right-wing extremist candidate, while the CDU rejects this as speculation. The election is criticized as questionable for democracy.
After the election to the Berlin House of Representatives, over 80 signatories from politics and civil society warned against a coalition with the left in a 'Berlin Appeal for Responsibility'. They demand a government majority that represents broad sections of society and is committed to the rule of law and democracy. Among the first signatories are Wolfgang Thierse, Joschka Fischer and Peter Altmaier. The signatories express concerns about the protection of Jewish life and security in Berlin under a left-wing leadership. At the same time, the Left, the Greens and the SPD are planning a third preliminary discussion on forming a government.
The SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil has described the election of Tobias Rausch, a candidate from the AfD, which is classified as right-wing extremist, as the first state parliament president of Saxony-Anhalt as a breach of taboo. Rausch received 48 of 82 votes in a secret vote, four more than the combined votes of the AfD and BSW.
Donald Trump is originally planning 35 appearances in battleground states before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, but will speak first in the deep red states of Oklahoma and Alabama, where Republican support is not needed.
The new state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt has been constituted. For the first time in the history of the Federal Republic, an AfD politician, Tobias Rausch, was elected President of Parliament. The election took place with votes beyond the AfD parliamentary group.
Tobias Rausch (AfD) was elected President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, presumably through votes from the CDU. At the same time, the Federal Prosecutor General is investigating former BND President August Hanning for treason and acting as an agent.
The election of AfD politician Tobias Rausch as President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt is causing outrage. The Left and the Greens criticize the support from BSW and presumably CDU MPs as a breach of the dam and a threat to democracy.
The federal government has presented the 'Infraplan 2026' to modernize the rail infrastructure in Germany by 2030. The concept serves as a control plan for network projects, while unions and associations demand secured financing.
US President Donald Trump said at a campaign rally in Nebraska that an Iranian attack on Los Angeles and San Diego would be a "very small price to pay," prompting sharp criticism from Democrats including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Hakeem Jeffries, who called his comments dangerous and confused. The White House dismissed the criticism as media hysteria and emphasized that Trump had spoken about the threat posed by Iran.
