Hundreds of thousands of pensioners face “real cuts”: Why Merz's citizens' income plan will also affect them

"Germany will let into its territory whoever it wants. Poland will only let into its territory whoever it accepts."— Donald Tusk criticizes the planned migration policy of the new federal government during the inaugural visit of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"I very much hope for a strong European cohesion."— Friedrich Merz expressed this during his visit to Tirana, where he met with European heads of state and government.

"I have always internally resisted the idea of initiating prohibition proceedings from the center of the Bundestag."— Friedrich Merz expresses skepticism about the AfD prohibition proceedings in 'Zeit'.

"And that means for me, for example, regarding the new basic security, that those who can work and are healthy (...) must also work for this income."— Thorsten Frei (CDU) commented in an interview about basic security and the necessity for able-bodied individuals to work.

"We do not tell people how they should heat or eat."— Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed in the ZDF show 'Maybrit Illner' about the freedom of citizens regarding their lifestyle choices.

Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies. And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process.— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking to a small group of journalists in his office at the presidential administration in Kyiv.

As long as this womanly scheming is up there, I won't vote for the CDU anymore!— Wolfgang Grupp expresses his voting decision and views on women's roles in politics during the ARD show with Sandra Maischberger.

"Under my leadership, the debate about arms deliveries, calibers, weapon systems, and so on will be taken out of the public eye."— Friedrich Merz in an interview with RTL and ntv about his plans for communication regarding arms deliveries to Ukraine.

"Illegal immigration to Germany and into the German social systems must be reduced to zero."— Alice Weidel, during her speech in the Bundestag regarding migration.

"Democracies do not die overnight."— Felix Banaszak, chairman of the Greens, at the state party conference of the Saxon Greens in Neukieritzsch near Leipzig.

The diplomatic efforts we have made so far have unfortunately failed due to Russia's lack of willingness to take the first steps in the right direction.— Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the failed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

"We keep our promises from the election campaign and are serious about the migration turnaround. We decide who comes into our country and end illegal immigration!"— Alexander Hoffmann, CSU group leader, stated this on X.

"Democracy and democratic transitions are not a given."— Saskia Esken, co-chair of the SPD, warns of the dangers to democracy on the occasion of the signing of the coalition agreement with the Union.

The clock is ticking — we still have 12 hours until the end of this day.— Stefan Kornelius, government spokesperson, during a briefing about the ceasefire proposal.

"The AfD is the party of right-wing extremism; it poses a danger to our liberal democracy."— Karin Prien, deputy chair of the CDU, in an interview with ARD.

"A good chess player thinks several moves ahead. What he does not do is predict those moves to his opponent."— Oleksii Makeiev, Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, regarding the secrecy of arms deliveries.

"The polls are bitter and decisive action is needed now."— Thorsten Frei (CDU), designated head of the Chancellery, regarding the current polling situation.

"If you want to make sensible politics in the future, for example because you want to reform the debt brake: That can only be done with us."— Jan van Aken, leader of the Left Party, in the talk show Maischberger, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration with the Left for a reform of the debt brake.