
A commentary on the Russian parliamentary election and the growing alienation between the population and Vladimir Putin.
AI-generated summary
Vladimir Putin interpreted long lines in front of polling stations as evidence of support and against attempts at sabotage.
An election office in Podolsk, near Moscow, where ballot papers will be counted on September 20th.
Analysis of the Russian parliamentary election suggests manipulation. The regime goes to great lengths to simulate popular support.
Vladimir Putin interprets the queues that formed in front of polling stations in Moscow during last week's parliamentary elections in his own terms. They testified that Russians were not intimidated by enemy attempts to disrupt the election, he said: "Such a record number of people who came and voted speaks of the fact that the people of Russia support our efforts to strengthen the country."
After electoral defeats, the CDA called for the CDU to be reformed into a people's party. The party leadership needs to better involve voters and rethink criticism of their willingness to perform.
After state election defeats, the CDA doubts that the CDU is still a people's party. In a paper she calls for reforms and criticizes party leader Merz for a lack of involvement and controversial statements.
NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) criticizes the federal government's pace of reform and calls for progress in pension reform. A lack of draft legislation would have done harm. He rejects speculation about a move to Berlin.

The Berlin Left is taking legal action against an Instagram video by Federal Economics Minister Reiche. At the same time, parties are discussing the formation of governments, the AfD, nursing care reform and are calling for stricter migration measures.

The consumer advice centers are calling for a uniform and simple fare model for local public transport throughout Germany. Instead of the current patchwork, the price will in future be based on the travel time used.

According to a YouGov survey, 50 percent of eligible voters in Germany expect increasing political attempts to influence the Federal Constitutional Court. Nevertheless, the court enjoys a high level of trust compared to the federal government and the Bundestag.