Key FactsSchröder’s Putin visit in Moscow draws sharp criticism
Oct 9, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
  • The Kremlin said Putin first learned from media reports that Schröder was present, then invited his old friend home.

  • Katrin Göring-Eckardt and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann called the visit disgraceful; Göring-Eckardt also considered it particularly damaging to Europe.

  • Before the celebration, Schröder visited a Globus branch in Moscow and gave employees a welcoming speech; he had previously joined its supervisory board.

  • That day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported at least 25 deaths and more than 100 injuries after Russian attacks.
  • A disgrace for Germany. A betrayal of Europe. A disservice to peace.
    — Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Green Party politician, on X about Schröder's visit to Putin
"They're helping a fascist into office": Stegner loses his temper in a discussion with a BSW politician
op-online.de/politik/streit-bei-illner-stegner-greift-bsw-wegen-antrag-mit-der-afd-an-zr-94543753.html
JU leader Johannes Winkel, speaking on the talk show "Maischberger," called for differentiation in state social benefits: those who have not yet contributed to ... Show more
Merz government on the verge of collapse? SPD member Stegner warns of a "carnage for the far right"
tz.de/politik/spd-mann-stegner-warnt-vor-schlachtfest-fuer-rechtsradikale-bei-koalitions-bruch-zr-94528013.html
Merz government on the verge of collapse? SPD member Stegner warns of a ...
LEFT-WING STATEMENT: Brutal reckoning: | "We have to distance ourselves from such people" - | Stegner lashes out
Ralf Stegner: "My theses on peace caused a sensation in the SPD": After the election defeats in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD is in the lead ...
freitag.de/autoren/der-freitag/ralf-stegner-meine-thesen-zum-frieden-haben-bei-der-spd-fuer-furore-gesorgt
Ralf Stegner:
"They call me a talking doll!": Brantner refuses to shake hands with AfD politicians on Lanz's show - | and Lanz is amazed
fnp.de/politik/als-gruenen-chefin-ueber-afd-politiker-spricht-horcht-lanz-auf-sie-geben-denen-nicht-die-hand-zr-94494279.html
One-on-one meeting in the Kremlin: "We can be glad about Schröder's connection to Putin"
tagesspiegel.de/politik/vier-augen-gesprach-im-kreml-wir-konnen-uber-schroders-draht-zu-putin-froh-sein-15686282.html
One-on-one meeting in the Kremlin:
Key FactsSchröder Meets Putin: Potential Mediation in Ukraine Conflict
Jun 6, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: welt.de
  • Putin invited former Chancellor Schröder to a confidential meeting in Moscow to discuss possible mediation in the Ukraine war.

  • SPD politician Ralf Stegner considers the encounter more of an opportunity than a risk, noting Schröder's remaining access to Putin despite no longer being active in politics.

  • While Schröder cannot represent Western negotiators, he might serve as a mediator between Russia and the international community.

  • The German government responded cautiously, and the Kremlin described the talk as positive but provided no specifics about the discussion.
  • Schröder was not in the Kremlin to congratulate Putin on this terrible war or to flatter him.
    — Ralf Stegner, SPD foreign policy politician, commenting on Schröder's meeting with Putin in Moscow and saying Schröder was not in the Kremlin to congratulate Putin on this terrible war or flatter him.
"You really have to make an effort": Economic advisor calls for more workload on ARD
hna.de/politik/man-muss-sich-schon-anstrengen-wirtschaftsweise-fordert-in-der-ard-mehr-arbeitsvolumen-zr-94314192.html
Überraschender Rückzug von Höne: Wurde Kubickis Solo-Kandidatur auf Geheimtreffen beschlossen?
n-tv.de/politik/Wurde-Kubickis-Solo-Kandidatur-auf-Geheimtreffen-beschlossen-id30842848.html
Überraschender Rückzug von Höne: Wurde Kubickis Solo-Kandidatur auf ...
Gerhard Schröder as Ukraine mediator: SPD discusses Putin's proposal: Ralf Stegner on Gerhard Schröder as Ukraine mediator: "What speaks against at least ...
nzz.ch/deutschland/politik/ralf-stegner-ueber-gerhard-schroeder-als-ukraine-vermittler-was-spricht-dagegen-ein-gespraech-nicht-zumindest-zu-versuchen-ld.10006601
Gerhard Schröder as Ukraine mediator: SPD discusses Putin's proposal
Federal government skeptical: SPD politician Stegner welcomes Putin's proposal for Schröder as mediator
ksta.de/politik/ukraine-krieg/spd-politiker-stegner-begruesst-putins-vorschlag-zu-schroeder-als-vermittler-1278559
Federal government skeptical: SPD politician Stegner welcomes Putin's ...
Securing the Strait of Hormuz: Stegner considers Bundeswehr deployment conceivable—after the war ends
n-tv.de/politik/Stegner-haelt-Bundeswehr-Einsatz-fuer-denkbar-nach-Kriegsende-id30691118.html
Securing the Strait of Hormuz: Stegner considers Bundeswehr deployment ...
Key FactsGerman Military Role Possible After Hormuz Conflict Ends
Apr 8, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
  • Ralf Stegner considers Bundeswehr participation in securing free shipping through the Hormuz Strait feasible only after the conflict concludes.

  • He strongly condemns US President Trump's threats against Iran and characterizes the conflict as an illegal war of aggression.

  • Stegner emphasizes Germany’s constitutional ban on involvement in offensive wars while endorsing peaceful resolutions.

  • The agreed ceasefire is welcomed as it opens negotiation opportunities and has already caused a significant drop in oil prices.
  • If the American president is driving the world into such fear and terror that the pope intervenes, and many people speak out, saying: What is that, threatening others with the annihilation of a nation? Then you can clearly see how far we have come in the last few weeks.
    — Ralf Stegner (SPD foreign-policy spokesman) said this on ntv's Frühstart program
“Regime change with bombs doesn't work” - SPD politician Stegner takes a stand on the Iran war.
hna.de/politik/stegner-im-voelkerrechts-streit-spd-politiker-kontert-talkshow-vorwurf-zr-94211516.html
“Regime change with bombs doesn't work” - SPD politician Stegner takes a ...
"That's outrageous": Ralf Stegner defends himself against AfD accusation on "Hart aber fair"
giessener-anzeiger.de/politik/das-ist-frech-ralf-stegner-wehrt-sich-bei-hart-aber-fair-gegen-afd-vorwurf-zr-94194734.html
On “Lanz,” Ralf Stegner (SPD) criticized the current inheritance tax: While individuals have to pay up to 50 percent tax, large companies often pay only a ... Show more
Stegner claims people in the country are doing well - | Lanz loses his temper: On Tuesday evening, moderator Markus Lanz and SPD politician Ralf Stegner clashed ...
focus.de/politik/stegner-behauptet-menschen-im-land-gehe-es-gut-da-verliert-lanz-die-fassung_96c5c478-69ab-43ac-9d85-4c2d62bfdf68.html
Stegner claims people in the country are doing well - | Lanz loses his ...
Key FactsDebate on SPD Inheritance Tax and Iran Uprising
Jan 14, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
  • Ralf Stegner defended the SPD's inheritance tax reform aiming to relieve most citizens while taxing large inheritances more heavily.

  • Opponents criticized the absence of precise tax rates and expressed concern about economic harm to businesses during a downturn.

  • The brutal crackdown on Iran's uprising led to thousands of deaths amid severe economic decline and inflation.

  • Stegner advocated for a coalition of middle powers to counterbalance dominant forces like China, Russia, and the U.S.
  • The next popular explosion will come. It is only a matter of time.
    — Ali Fathollah-Nejad made this statement in the context of the massive repression and economic misery in Iran.
Venezuela: SPD politician Stegner sharply criticizes Trump and Merz: Ralf Stegner works for the SPD parliamentary group in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the ...
abendblatt.de/schleswig-holstein/article410849531/venezuela-spd-politiker-stegner-greift-trump-und-merz-scharf-an.html
Venezuela: SPD politician Stegner sharply criticizes Trump and Merz
Deportations by scheduled flight: What legal options are there, and what is Berlin's position?
berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/csu-fordert-mehr-abschiebungen-spd-lehnt-ab-berlin-plant-keine-linienfluege-li.10012423
Deportations by scheduled flight: What legal options are there ...
Key FactsCSU Pushes for More Deportations Amid Coalition Disputes
Jan 2, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
  • The CSU parliamentary group seeks to increase deportations using commercial flights, asserting that Syria is no longer a safe haven due to the war’s end.

  • Berlin currently does not plan to intensify use of commercial flights for deportations, opting for case-by-case decisions between charter and scheduled flights.

  • SPD MP Ralf Stegner rejects the CSU demands, emphasizing the coalition agreement limits deportations to convicted criminals only.

  • 2025 court rulings recognize improved safety in Syria, but the CSU’s broader deportation plans face substantial legal and political opposition.
  • This kind of populist politics – completely without C – will not be supported by the SPD in the new year.
    — Ralf Stegner, SPD member of the Bundestag, comments on CSU's demand for increased deportations.
Maybrit Illner: Röttgen and Stegner interrupt researcher several times: CDU politician Norbert Röttgen (CDU) discussed the topic "Trump's plan for Ukraine - ...
morgenpost.de/kultur/tv-streaming/article410567285/maybrit-illner-roettgen-und-stegner-unterbrechen-forscherin-mehrmals.html
Maybrit Illner: Röttgen and Stegner interrupt researcher several times
Yesterday, the CDU/CSU and SPD reached an agreement in the military service dispute: it will remain voluntary for the time being ... Show more
CDU politician on Maischberger: “The Chancellor made a mistake”: On Sandra Maischberger's ARD talk show, Friedrich Merz was sharply criticized—even from within ...
morgenpost.de/kultur/tv-streaming/article410445778/cdu-politiker-bei-maischberger-bundeskanzler-hat-einen-fehler-gemacht.html
CDU politician on Maischberger: “The Chancellor made a mistake”
“maischberger” on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 10:50 p.m. on ARD: Munich (ots) - | The guests: Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU, Member of the Bundestag) Ralf Stegner ...
presseportal.de/pm/6694/6156118
“maischberger” on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 10:50 p.m. on ARD
“Text theft” affair: First SPD politicians question Weimer's suitability as Minister of State for Culture
berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/spd-fordert-konsequenzen-von-kulturstaatsminister-weimer-falscher-mann-auf-dem-falschen-posten-li.10001971
“Text theft” affair: First SPD politicians question Weimer's suitability ...
Strack-Zimmermann and Stegner argue on Maischberger: We're not on Top Gun here: Dealing with Russia in light of recent provocations is causing debate on ...
berliner-zeitung.de/news/strack-zimmermann-und-stegner-streiten-sich-bei-maischberger-sind-hier-nicht-bei-top-gun-li.2359392
Strack-Zimmermann and Stegner argue on Maischberger: We're not on Top Gun ...
Key FactsClashing Views on Handling Putin's Aggression
Sep 25, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: focus.de
  • Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann insists on firm actions to counter Russia's provocations without tolerance.

  • Ralf Stegner advocates restraint, warning that military escalation risks uncontrolled consequences.

  • Both agree that Putin anticipates a NATO reaction he could exploit politically and militarily.

  • Recent incidents reveal NATO's defense vulnerabilities, highlighting the urgent need to enhance capabilities.
  • Stop dreaming.
    — Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) advises Ralf Stegner (SPD) on the ARD talk show 'Maischberger'.
“It could be a matter of life and death”: SPD explains the military service scandal – what happens next
hna.de/politik/wehrpflicht-drama-in-merz-koalition-davon-wussten-manche-kollegen-nichts-zr-93988628.html
“It could be a matter of life and death”: SPD explains the military ...
FDP politician shakes her head at Stegner's Putin statement: “Stop dreaming”: On “Maischberger,” Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and Ralf Stegner argue about what ...
focus.de/kultur/kino-tv/bei-stegners-putin-aussage-schuettelt-fdp-frau-den-kopf-hoeren-sie-auf-zu-traeumen_398eda26-0298-4a22-9fff-01b07a5af418.html
FDP politician shakes her head at Stegner's Putin statement: “Stop ...
Huge data leak in hotel software – private addresses of Berlin politicians accessible
berliner-zeitung.de/panorama/riesiges-datenleck-bei-hotelsoftware-privatadressen-von-berliner-politikern-abrufbar-li.2361257
Huge data leak in hotel software – private addresses of Berlin politicians ...
Pinneberg district: CDU politician Daniel Kölbl is giving away trust: Opinion: Daniel Kölbl, a member of the Bundestag for the Pinneberg district ...
shz.de/lokales/elmshorn-barmstedt/artikel/kreis-pinneberg-cdu-politiker-daniel-koelbl-verschenkt-vertrauen-49364266
Pinneberg district: CDU politician Daniel Kölbl is giving away trust
Peace demonstrations in Berlin and Stuttgart: They are struggling for peace and credibility
taz.de/Friedensdemos-in-Berlin-und-Stuttgart/!6117287/
Peace demonstrations in Berlin and Stuttgart: They are struggling for ...
Pinneberg district: No answers on Abgeordnetenwatch: A ranking on Abgeordnetenwatch shows: MP Ralf Stegner answers all citizens' questions publicly ...
shz.de/lokales/elmshorn-barmstedt/artikel/kreis-pinneberg-stegner-beantwortet-buergerfragen-koelbl-keine-49329617
Pinneberg district: No answers on Abgeordnetenwatch
“Maybrit Illner”: Thursday's topic and guests: On Thursday's ZDF talk show “Maybrit Illner,” the host will welcome Norbert Röttgen (CDU) and Ralf Stegner (SPD) ...
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.maybrit-illner-thema-und-gaeste-am-donnerstag.282d138d-699b-487b-8346-4ca674f62c18.html
“Maybrit Illner”: Thursday's topic and guests
AfD: New poll records alarm the CDU/CSU and SPD: The AfD is reaching new highs in the polls – especially in eastern Germany, where the party is rising rapidly ...
handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/afd-neue-umfragerekorde-schrecken-union-und-spd-auf/100158059.html
AfD: New poll records alarm the CDU/CSU and SPD
"maischberger" on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, at 10:50 p.m. on Das Erste: Munich (ots) - | The guests: Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP ...
presseportal.de/pm/6694/6123486
OpinionThe situation in the evening: How to deal with the AfD ban?: The Social Democrats are at odds over the AfD ban. Egypt is struggling with its role on the brink of ...
spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/news-des-tages-afd-verbot-gazakrieg-fussball-wm-a-916bc4ce-4832-473e-bb2f-3c322b0808b7
The situation in the evening: How to deal with the AfD ban?
"Right-wing mob celebrates triumph": The SPD is seething after Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal
n-tv.de/politik/In-der-SPD-brodelt-es-nach-Brosius-Gersdorfs-Rueckzug-article25952505.html
"We must not make it a taboo": Calls for tax increases are being made in the SPD: From digital to income tax: SPD MPs are calling for the introduction of new ...
n-tv.de/politik/In-der-SPD-werden-Forderungen-nach-Steuererhoehungen-laut-article25941047.html
Key FactsSPD Proposes New Taxes and Higher Rates for Top Earners
Aug 2, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: n-tv.de
  • Calls within the SPD are increasing to introduce new taxes and raise existing income tax rates.

  • Bremen’s mayor recommends implementing a digital tax already adopted by several European countries.

  • Former SPD vice-chair Ralf Stegner argues that tax increases should not be taboo amid rising defense spending.

  • Stegner cites Helmut Kohl’s administration as a model, during which the top tax rate reached 56 percent.
  • We must not taboo tax increases.
    — Ralf Stegner, SPD member of the Bundestag, in an interview with 'Tagesspiegel'.
After Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal – turmoil in the SPD: “The political scalp hangs on Björn Höcke's belt”
fr.de/politik/rueckzug-von-brosius-gersdorf-beben-der-politische-skalp-haengt-am-guertel-von-bjoern-hoecke-93873178.html
After Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal – turmoil in the SPD: “The political ...
Putin-Zelensky-Trump meeting: Stegner believes summit in Germany is possible: SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner is suggesting Germany as a possible venue ...
tagesspiegel.de/politik/putin-selenskyj-trump-treffen-stegner-halt-gipfel-in-deutschland-fur-moglich-14196584.html
Putin-Zelensky-Trump meeting: Stegner believes summit in Germany is ...
SPD politicians call for tax increases - digital and income tax: The call from the ranks of the comrades is getting louder: SPD politicians have warned against ...
rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/spd-politiker-fordern-steuererhoehungen-digital-und-einkommensteuer_aid-132260509
SPD politicians call for tax increases - digital and income tax
Ex-Prime Minister Platzeck defends visits to Moscow: SPD politician Matthias Platzeck has traveled to Moscow nine times since the Russian invasion of Ukraine ...
berliner-zeitung.de/news/ex-ministerpraesident-platzeck-verteidigt-moskau-besuche-spd-li.2340890
Ex-Prime Minister Platzeck defends visits to Moscow
Key FactsMatthias Platzeck's Frequent Moscow Trips Since 2022
Jul 19, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: tagesspiegel.de
  • Matthias Platzeck traveled to Moscow at least nine times since the Ukraine conflict began, most recently in March 2025.

  • Multiple independent sources and travel records have verified these trips.

  • He also engaged in confidential talks in Baku with Russian officials, including Gazprom's supervisory board chairman Viktor Zubkov.

  • Once seen as a Kremlin sympathizer, Platzeck expressed regret after the invasion and previously led the German-Russian Forum.
  • I was mistaken
    — Matthias Platzeck admits his misjudgment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ralf Stegner: “I told the Russians: stop smearing the AfD”: Ralf Stegner co-authored the peace manifesto and traveled to Baku for talks with Russian ...
freitag.de/autoren/lfb/ralf-stegner-ueber-das-friedens-manifest-und-die-spd-ich-bin-kein-pazifist
Ralf Stegner: “I told the Russians: stop smearing the AfD”