Political polarization

"If it escalates, I will throw out the entire faction. I have this instrument at my disposal as president."— Bundestagspräsidentin Julia Klöckner, in the podcast 'Meine schwerste Entscheidung' by Funke Medien

"She polarizes, thinks only of herself. The CDU is thus becoming a millstone between the far right and the left."— Marc Reinhardt, deputy leader of the CDU parliamentary group in the Schwerin state parliament, told Tagesspiegel that Schwesig's polarization is turning the CDU into a millstone between the far right and the left.

not because all are Nazis, not because all voters are Nazis

— Armin Laschet, CDU politician, said on the ARD talk show with Caren Miosga, explaining why the CDU would not form a coalition with the AfD.

I do not intend to work with the AfD here. But it's all about these issues. I am convinced that the AfD does not have the solutions for the future of Saxony-Anhalt.

— MDR Wahl Arena, Sven Schulze (CDU), Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, responding to questions about cooperation with the AfD

Autumn 2026 has something of 1989! If the BSW enters the state parliaments in Schwerin and Magdeburg, there will be a real chance for a democratic renewal. Our aim is to unseat Manuela Schwesig and the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt.

— Nordkurier interview with Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW; statement on the 1989 parallel and on the aim to unseat Schwesig and the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt.

bomb all of the camps holding narco-terrorists.

— Abelardo de la Espriella, right-wing presidential candidate, in a recent television interview; the pledge to bomb the camps holding narco-terrorists.

All those harmed must be given an honest hearing, they must receive acceptance and protection, and real paths to healing must be made available to them.

— Pope Leo XIV., in Madrid addressing abuse survivors (Vatican press office)

I have no idea what Marie-Agnes wants.

— Kubicki on the ARD program Bericht aus Berlin after the FDP leadership election

The D.C. elite of the left destroyed his father because the elder Biden was never part of that club, he was never part of the Epstein class.

— Hunter Biden, describing his claim about elite politics in an interview with Candace Owens.

I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated. The people's freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy. I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family.

— Larry Bushart, in a statement announcing the settlement on Wednesday

That is a decision about who conducts talks, whether talks should be held that President Zelensky can discuss with the European government partners. That would then be Chancellor Merz, and I will not make any remarks from the sidelines.

— Manuela Schwesig; ARD Talk with Caren Miosga, discussing Putin's proposal to appoint Schröder as mediator – remark about not commenting

The FDP has now, as of yesterday, effectively disappeared from the political stage in Germany. It will not play any role any longer.

— Merz said in Berlin after consultations of CDU leadership following the Baden-Württemberg state election.

My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I'm here today at Super Bowl LX, it's because I never ever stopped believing in myself, and you should also believe in yourself. You're worth more than you think.

— Bad Bunny during his performance at Super Bowl LX, introducing himself to the audience.