+++ Federal politics +++: SPD leadership probably supports Aigner's candidacy

Luke Bay

The SPD leadership probably supports Aigner's candidacy

The SPD leadership has backed CSU politician Ilse Aigner as the candidate to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “It is good that there is now clarity regarding the nomination,” said SPD executive circles on Monday. “She is an experienced, down-to-earth politician and has the important ability to bring people together across party and social boundaries.”

On Sunday, the CDU with Chancellor and party leader Friedrich Merz supported the CSU proposal to nominate the Bavarian state parliament president as Steinmeier's successor. The SPD had already signaled support for Aigner. The Union and the SPD have a sufficient majority in the Federal Assembly to elect Aigner as the first woman head of state. The SPD leadership supports a candidacy by the Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner (CSU) for the office of federal president. “The SPD presidium supports the nomination of Ilse Aigner,” said party circles at a meeting of the top committee in Berlin.

Julius Stockheim

Emde rejects the board's demand for withdrawal

The controversial Berlin left-wing politician Vanessa Emde refuses to follow her party executive's request to give up her mandate. “Of course I will continue to exercise my mandate!” she said in a press release. She firmly rejects the state executive's demand for withdrawal. “Democratically obtained mandates are not subject to negotiation,” said Emde.

She announced that she would not enter into a coalition without the consistent implementation of the referendum on the socialization of large housing companies and without Palestine solidarity. In addition, a coalition is not allowed to make any social cuts. "The repression, intimidation and racist police violence must end and freedom of expression, assembly and art must be protected in Berlin. That's why I was elected and that's what I'm committed to," explained Emde.

Julius Stockheim

Dröge calls for taxes on private jets and oil companies

According to Green Party parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge, the federal government should specifically raise taxes to combat climate change. "A growing alliance of states wants to finally allow oil companies and the super-rich to adequately participate in financing the consequences of the climate crisis. But Germany is not yet involved," said Dröge to the German Press Agency in Berlin.

It is an embarrassing signal to the world that Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is skipping the world climate conference starting this Monday in Antalya, Turkey, said Dröge. But the message is even worse that Germany is still putting the brakes on the issue of climate justice. “This is a central question of justice: Anyone who flies around the world in a private jet pays next to nothing for their emissions.

“And this despite the fact that private jets around the world produce more CO2 in two seconds than a person from the poorest half of the population does in a year,” explained Dröge. “And the largest oil companies are currently doubling their profits, while livelihoods are dwindling in many regions of the world.”

Katharina Dröge, chairwoman of the Green Party parliamentary group. Michael Brandt/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Vivian Melchert

The Bundeswehr is larger than it has been since 2013 - Pistorius relies on voluntariness

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius sees the Bundeswehr's personnel planning on the right track. In October, the Bundeswehr had the largest number of personnel since 2013 with more than 190,000 soldiers, he said in a Deutschlandfunk interview recorded on Friday and published on Saturday.

“They are all volunteers, so we seem to be on the right path and we will continue on this path in the next few years.” The SPD politician was confident that the personnel goals can be achieved without compulsory military service. If the curve falls in two or three years, a reaction must be made. “The aim is to attract more young people overall through our advertising campaign, and we are succeeding,” emphasized the minister.

The almost 500,000 questionnaires that have now been sent to 18-year-olds did not serve as an advertising campaign. Rather, the questionnaires will resume the usual recording process. In view of the threat from Russia, the federal government's goal is to increase the active force to 260,000 soldiers by the mid-1930s.

Vivian Melchert

Pistorius wants a decision on fighter jet cooperation by March

After the end of the German-French air combat system FCAS, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expects a fundamental decision on an alternative by the end of March 2027. The SPD politician told the Funke media group that he was very interested in the German aviation industry playing a role in the project. German industry could not manage such a project alone.

"There are two options on the table - participation in the Global Combat Air program by the British, Italians and Japanese. We are in discussions about that. For example, we have to check whether Germany's participation could lead to a longer delay that would be hardly acceptable for everyone involved," said Pistorius. As a second option, Airbus could develop its own project together with other European partners for the early 1940s.

Angelika Ahrens

Pistorius after protests: Need strong armed forces

After young people's protests against compulsory military service, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) emphasized the importance of a strong Bundeswehr. “If it is said at the demonstrations that we don’t want to go to the front and die in the war, then I can only say: We want exactly the same thing,” Pistorius told Funke media. “That’s precisely why we need strong armed forces that can act as a deterrent so that we don’t end up in the situation of having to fight anywhere.”

The law for a new military service came into force in January. The law provides for mandatory mustering of young men and the reintroduction of military registration. However, the principle of voluntary service still applies to military service. Starting this year, all young men and women born in 2008 receive a questionnaire that also asks about their motivation for military service. Men have to, women can answer this.

Patricia Hoffhaus

Merz: Historical responsibility also applies to immigrants

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has called on Muslim immigrants who do not live up to Germany's historical responsibility for the Holocaust to leave the country. “Even those who come to Germany from Islamic countries, this historical responsibility of our country applies exactly the same to them,” he said at a reception for Jewish athletes in Berlin. “And anyone who doesn’t comply will have to leave our country again.”

Merz made the remarks at a reception for participants in the Maccabiah, the Jewish Olympic Games that take place every four years in Israel. A basketball coach told him that athletes couldn't wear their red Maccabi training jackets with the Star of David on the streets in Germany without fearing attacks.

Marie Boms

AfD fails with proposal to withdraw from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Shortly before this year's World Climate Conference in Antalya, Turkey, the AfD failed in the Bundestag with a motion for Germany to withdraw from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). All other groups voted against. The World Climate Conference begins next Monday.

The council has “become a political instrument for a one-sided climate policy,” said the climate policy spokesman for the AfD parliamentary group, Karsten Hilse. In the Bundestag he spoke of “nonsense” with a view to the conference in Antalya and climate protection measures.

In a debate in October, Hilse had already spoken of a “claim that has long been exposed as fraud” when it was said that “man-made CO2 emissions are primarily responsible for current climate change”. His parliamentary group colleague Ingo Hahn spoke of “climate religion” and “climate disciples” with a view to the UN conference in Antalya.

Luke Bay

Aiwanger's successor should not be settled immediately

The Free Voters in Bavaria first want to devote themselves to mourning their party leader Hubert Aiwanger, who suddenly died - only then should they consider how to reposition themselves. At the moment the situation is such that “we are in a kind of state of shock,” said parliamentary group leader Florian Streibl to Bayerischer Rundfunk. The committees would now have to carry out mourning work.

You first have to become aware of what the situation is right now. “It hasn’t really sunk in for many of us yet.” He himself couldn't believe Aiwanger's death, it was completely "surreal": "I still think he'll call at any moment." The next step is to consider what happens next.

Anna Lena Stahl

Bundestag passes first part of driving license reform

With the votes of the black-red coalition, the Bundestag has passed the first part of a driving license reform in Germany. Driving schools should be relieved of bureaucracy. “Lay training” should also be made possible for learner drivers, for example from parents, in order to gain additional driving experience. The Federal Council still has to approve changes to the law.

This also applies to a regulation from the Federal Ministry of Transport - the second part of the reform package. This regulation deals with new regulations on special trips as well as theoretical and practical exams. The next meeting of the Federal Council is on November 20th.

The CDU transport politician Henning Rehbaum said in the Bundestag that obtaining a driving license would become more modern, it could become faster and cheaper - without compromising on safety. “Lay training” has proven successful in other countries such as Austria.

Bastian Prockner

CDU presidium member campaigns for Aigner as Federal President

Handelsblatt reporter Daniel Delhaes reports:

CDU executive board member Ina Scharrenbach is campaigning for CSU politician Ilse Aigner as a joint CDU and CSU candidate for the office of Federal President. “If Ms. Aigner did it, it would be a win for our country,” Scharrenbach told the Handelsblatt. Aigner is down-to-earth and a calming pole from the hectic pace of political Berlin. “It can have a balancing and integrating effect,” said Scharrenbach.

It is “welcoming” that there is broad support across party lines in these times. Recently, leading politicians from the SPD, the Greens and also CDU politicians spoke out in favor of Aigner. The CSU has been campaigning for the Upper Bavarian and President of the Bavarian State Parliament since April.

The CDU presidium will meet for dinner on Sunday at the invitation of party leader Friedrich Merz and discuss a candidate. The party committees could then decide on the proposal on Monday. Merz recently declared that a woman should become Federal President. He didn't want to commit to Aigner.

Marie Boms

Özdemir for Ilse Aigner as Federal President

Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Cem Özdemir (The Greens) has spoken out in favor of Ilse Aigner as Federal President. “Especially when the divisions in the country are becoming deeper, we need a personality who can build bridges and bring people together,” said the politician. “Aigner is down-to-earth, has a feel for people’s concerns and speaks their language.”

Angelika Ahrens

Woidke: “Aigner is the perfect candidate”

Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) also supports the Bavarian state parliament President Ilse Aigner (CSU) as a candidate for the office of Federal President. “Ilse Aigner has everything that makes a good Federal President,” Woidke told the news magazine “Politico.” “If Ilse Aigner is suggested, I would be very happy.”

From his point of view, Aigner is “the perfect candidate,” Woidke is quoted as saying. "She knows German politics inside out. She is approachable. She likes people, can listen and people listen to her."

Angelika Ahrens

SPD increases pressure on rich people with fuel price cap

The SPD is increasing the pressure on Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) to make improvements to the planned fuel price cap. “We expect Federal Economics Minister Reiche to present a concrete proposal for a fuel price cap next week that will apply when people go on their Christmas holidays,” said parliamentary group deputy Armand Zorn to the German Press Agency.

"We will not accept a law that stipulates that people have to endure historic price increases for three weeks in January before the cap even takes effect. And it cannot be the case that this should then expire again at the end of March." It is time to limit the margins of the petroleum industry. “The crisis is now and we have to act now,” said Zorn, referring to price jumps as a result of the Iran conflict.

Angelika Ahrens

Frei calls Aigner “very excellent personnel”

Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei expects that the proposal from the CDU and CSU for the office of Federal President will meet with broad cross-party support. “She has proven over many decades in Bavarian and German politics that Ilse Aigner is a very outstanding person,” said the CDU politician “Bild”, without specifically saying who the Union wants to put forward as a common candidate.

A decision on this is expected early next week. On Monday, the CDU presidium and board will deal with the successor to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The CSU has already spoken out in favor of the Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner, and all East German CDU prime ministers are now openly supporting the CSU politician.

Alisa Svoboda

Merz praises the SPD for cooperation in the coalition

Despite differences, Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised cooperation in the coalition with the SPD. The CDU leader said at the SPD economic forum in Berlin that the coalition was working together much better than some people thought. The coalition has achieved more than many people outside perceive or want to perceive. In view of the strengthening of the political fringes, Merz emphasized that the democratic center must show that it can solve problems.

The coalition is facing groundbreaking weeks. On the one hand, it concerns the 2027 federal budget, controversial projects such as the sugar tax and the pension reform. In the SPD, but also in the CDU, there are reservations about plans to abolish the tax-free pension