There are two options when dealing with the AfD: Either you ban it - | or you let it govern.
berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/im-umgang-mit-der-afd-bleiben-zwei-wege-verbieten-oder-regieren-lasseen-li.2325119

Debate about far-right party: Merz puts the brakes on AfD ban: Many politicians are now calling for the AfD to be banned. Chancellor Merz has now spoken out in ...
spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/friedrich-merz-tritt-bei-afd-verbotsverfahren-auf-die-bremse-a-f98c4d0e-6064-4e35-b970-049168f1145e

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"Smells too strong to me": With one answer, Merz averts a possible AfD ban.: This Friday, the Bundestag will debate the domestic policy of the new federal ...
focus.de/politik/meinung/eine-analyse-von-ulrich-reitz-riecht-mir-zu-sehr-mit-einer-antwort-rasiert-merz-das-afd-gutachten_25ae304a-ce0a-4c86-befe-f5522058af26.html

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is "very skeptical" about the AfD ban: When it comes to banning the "Alternative for Germany" party, Friedrich Merz is quick to ...
n-tv.de/politik/Bundeskanzler-Friedrich-Merz-sieht-AfD-Verbotsverfahren-sehr-skeptisch-article25768977.html

Merz: AfD ban proceedings "reeks of the elimination of political rivals": Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is sceptical about banning the AfD ...
pnp.de/nachrichten/politik/merz-afd-verbotsverfahren-riecht-nach-politischer-konkurrentenbeseitigung-18653945

"Dirty work": Dieter Hallervorden shows Friedrich Merz to: Dieter Hallervorden and around 20 other people have filed a criminal complaint against Federal ...
stern.de/politik/deutschland/-drecksarbeit---dieter-hallervorden-zeigt-friedrich-merz-an-35828168.html

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Hallervorden Files Charges Against Chancellor MerzComedian Hallervorden and 20 others sued Chancellor Merz after his 2024 remarks about Israel’s conflict with Iran sparked legal action.
- Dieter Hallervorden, joined by about 20 others, filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- Merz used the term 'dirty work' in a ZDF interview to describe Israel's military actions against Iran.
- The complaint alleges Merz violated Article 26 of the Basic Law, which prohibits acts threatening peaceful international relations.
- Earlier in 2024, Hallervorden attracted controversy with a video criticizing Israel’s policies in Gaza.
If a German head of government believes he can openly and publicly violate Article 26, it could encourage even more people in Germany to advocate for aggressive wars.— Dieter Hallervorden and 20 others filed a complaint against Friedrich Merz, arguing that Merz violated Article 26 of the Basic Law.
Merz at the G7 summit: Israel is doing dirty work for us in Iran: Chancellor Merz has praised Israel's actions against Iran. In an interview with ZDF television ...
de.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/06/17/merz-beim-g7-gipfel-israel-macht-in-iran-drecksarbeit-fur-uns

“Unbearable atmosphere”: Haseloff considers moving away if AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt
tagesspiegel.de/politik/unertragliche-atmosphare-haseloff-erwagt-wegzug-bei-afd-sieg-in-sachsen-anhalt-13859776.html

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Haseloff Considers Leaving if AfD Gains PowerThe 2026 state election is crucial for Saxony-Anhalt, with Haseloff threatening to leave if the AfD joins the government.
- Reiner Haseloff refuses to live under a state government that includes the AfD, calling such a scenario unbearable.
- He highlights that AfD’s rise to power would be a fundamental challenge for both himself and his family.
- The upcoming state election on September 6, 2026, is described by Haseloff as a vital decision for Saxony-Anhalt’s future.
- Currently, a coalition of CDU, SPD, and FDP governs, while the AfD holds the second-largest faction and is classified as far-right.
If the AfD came to power, then for me it would really be a fundamental consideration whether I would leave my homeland after 72 years.— Reiner Haseloff, Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, expresses his concerns about a potential AfD government in an interview with 'Bild' newspaper.
New debate about origin: AfD asks for first names of citizens' allowance recipients
tagesspiegel.de/politik/neue-debatte-um-herkunft-afd-fragt-vornamen-von-burgergeld-empfangern-ab-13892212.html

Opinion“Dirty work”: Friedrich Merz invigorates German politics with his choice of words
nzz.ch/der-andere-blick/drecksarbeit-friedrich-merz-belebt-mit-seiner-wortwahl-die-deutsche-politik-ld.1889599
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Merz Revitalizes German Politics with Bold SpeechSince recently adopting blunt rhetoric, Merz faces criticism while clarifying Germany's stance on Iran and Israel's actions.
- Friedrich Merz referred to Israel’s military strike on Iran as ‘dirty work,’ highlighting the threat posed by Tehran.
- His blunt language sparked criticism across the political spectrum, including from the Greens, AfD, and SPD.
- Unlike his predecessors, Merz openly communicates his views, increasing transparency in foreign policy.
- This frank approach introduces new vulnerabilities but also invigorates political discourse in Germany.
Israel is doing 'the dirty work for all of us.'— Friedrich Merz said this on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Canada, commenting on Israel's military strike against Iran.
"No reason for criticism": Merz defends US and Israel's attacks on Iran: Chancellor Friedrich Merz uses his first major economic speech to make foreign ...
berliner-zeitung.de/wirtschaft-verantwortung/kein-grund-zur-kritik-merz-verteidigt-us-und-israels-angriffe-auf-iran-li.2335799

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil speaks out in favor of banning the AfD: The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the AfD as right-wing ...
stern.de/politik/deutschland/spd-chef-lars-klingbeil-spricht-sich-fuer-afd-verbotsverfahren-aus-35829236.html
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SPD Supports Formal Ban Review of AfD PartyFollowing a security agency's extremism label, SPD leaders push for a ban despite legal and political obstacles ahead.
- SPD leader Lars Klingbeil considers initiating a ban procedure against AfD essential to defend democracy and the constitution.
- The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the AfD as definitively right-wing extremist, but legal challenges have stalled the process.
- Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke highlights the complex political and judicial barriers involved in pursuing a ban.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz expresses skepticism regarding calls for banning the AfD party.
If the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution confirms what we have always known, that it is a reliably right-wing extremist party, then (...) we are obliged as defenders of democracy and the constitution to seriously examine all possibilities.— Lars Klingbeil, SPD leader, at the state party conference of the SPD Brandenburg in Cottbus.
Merz: Israel is doing “dirty work” for us in Iran: The German Chancellor calls the government in Tehran a terrorist regime. At the same time ...
merkur.de/politik/merz-israel-macht-im-iran-drecksarbeit-fuer-uns-zr-93788391.html

Chancellor Friedrich Merz comments on the situation in the Middle East - and appeals to Iran
berliner-zeitung.de/news/kanzler-merz-aeussert-sich-zur-lage-in-nahost-und-appelliert-an-den-iran-li.2335591

Current poll: Union cannot keep its distance from the AfD: In addition, developments in the Middle East are currently the dominant issue for voters ...
stern.de/trendbarometer--union-kann-abstand-zur-afd-nicht-halten-35833566.html
Premiere for Charlotte Merz: Chancellor sends an important signal: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives at the airport in Calgary, Canada ...
morgenpost.de/politik/article409268646/friedrich-merz-charlotte-kanada-g7-gipfel.html


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G7 Summit Faces Deep Divisions and Declining InfluenceThe latest summit ended without consensus as Trump’s erratic stance deepens rifts, leaving major global conflicts unresolved in 2025.
Key FactsJun 18 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: channelnewsasia.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: channelnewsasia.com
- The G7 originated 50 years ago as a coalition of leading industrial democracies to address economic crises like oil shocks and stagflation.
- The recent meeting in Canada revealed stark disagreements, especially between the US under Trump and other members regarding Middle East and Ukraine conflicts.
- Trump distanced himself from traditional G7 policies, rejecting the two-state solution and adopting unconventional approaches toward Russia and China.
- The shared Western values that once united the G7 have eroded, casting doubt on the group’s future relevance and effectiveness.
Running a summit in these circumstances is 'like preparing the red carpet for Godzilla,' one Canadian official told the Financial Times.— A Canadian official made this remark to the Financial Times.
TV criticism with Pistorius of Miosga: "You are giving Putin a platform": On Caren Miosga's show, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius shows how he achieves his ...
faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien-und-film/talkshow/tv-kritik-mit-pistorius-an-miosga-sie-geben-putin-eine-plattform-110552062.html

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Pistorius on Escalation and Germany’s Defense ReadinessDefense Minister Pistorius identifies Iran as the main Middle East threat and highlights reserve troops’ contact issues through 2029.
Key Facts10h · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
- Boris Pistorius considers US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites potentially justified to prevent greater harm.
- He stresses that destroying these sites could improve regional stability amid global peace pressures.
- Pistorius insists Germany must be combat-ready by 2029 due to Russia’s ongoing military buildup.
- The German military faces challenges reaching reservists because of inadequate personnel tracking systems.
This can initially be no good news, as it shows and proves that the world's peace order is currently under pressure everywhere.— Boris Pistorius comments on the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities during the ZDF program Caren Miosga.
International calls for de-escalation in the Middle East: Countries around the world are calling on Israel and Iran to stop attacks and take the diplomatic route ...
tagesschau.de/ausland/asien/israel-iran-angriffe-reaktionen-100.html


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Israel-Iran Conflict Intensifies Amid Global Diplomatic PressureSeven days into the conflict, 25 Israelis have died and Trump plans to decide on US military action within two weeks.
- Israel has launched extensive strikes on Iranian targets, destroying over half of Iran's missile launchers within a week.
- Iran retaliates with missile and drone assaults on Israeli military and civilian sites, including a hospital in Beersheba.
- The US is repositioning forces in the Middle East and weighing military involvement, with President Trump expected to decide soon.
- Russia and China condemn the hostilities and call for diplomacy, while the UN highlights risks to civilians and healthcare facilities.
The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran is putting health facilities and access to health care at risk. The reports on the attacks on health so far are appalling.— World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attacks on health facilities in the conflict between Iran and Israel.
German chancellor says there's 'no reason to criticise' US strikes in Iran: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that there was "no reason to ...
thelocal.de/20250623/german-chancellor-says-theres-no-reason-to-criticise-us-strikes-in-iran

Election in Saxony-Anhalt: The fear that the AfD will bring down the “last stable centrist government in the East”
welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus256278450/wahl-in-sachsen-anhalt-die-angst-dass-die-afd-die-letzte-stabile-regierung-der-mitte-im-osten-zu-fall-bringt.html

Queer parade in Eberswalde: CSD meets AfD: A week ago, suspected right-wing extremists attacked a festival of diversity in Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg ...
spiegel.de/panorama/gesellschaft/eberswalde-csd-trifft-afd-hunderte-feiern-queeres-leben-a-8eb170c0-c428-4359-88cb-f8e41e9886a5

Shortly before the party conference: Jusos urge SPD to ban AfD: In the SPD, pressure is growing on the party leadership to push ahead with an AfD ban ...
spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/afd-verbotsverfahren-jusos-draengen-spd-zu-klarem-signal-a-4b274588-3708-41e7-a3a7-e1e8185b80f2
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Jusos Push SPD for Immediate AfD Ban ProceedingsOne week before the SPD conference, calls intensify to launch a ban process against AfD amid strong evidence cited.
- The Jusos demand that the SPD federal conference decides to promptly initiate a ban procedure against the AfD.
- Juso leader Philipp Türmer considers the evidence against AfD overwhelming and calls for a clear party signal.
- Several prominent SPD figures back the ban, while the CDU/CSU mostly oppose the move.
- Despite opposition from the Union, the SPD aims to lead efforts at both federal and state levels.
The SPD federal party conference in a week must decide to immediately initiate a ban procedure against the AfD.— Juso leader Philipp Türmer calls for a clear signal from the SPD leadership.
AfD politician Maximilian Krah owes Jan Böhmermann money - claims the satirist: According to his own statement, AfD politician Maximilian Krah owes the presenter ...
berliner-zeitung.de/news/afd-politiker-maximilian-krah-schuldet-jan-boehmermann-geld-behauptet-der-satiriker-li.2335574

Vladimir Putin reportedly ready for talks with Chancellor Merz: Relations between Moscow and Berlin are at a low point. However, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is ...
stern.de/politik/ausland/wladimir-putin-angeblich-bereit-zu-gespraech-mit-kanzler-merz-35821492.html
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Putin Claims Sovereignty Over Entire UkrainePutin threatens to capture Sumy, with Russian forces just 18 km from the city’s border amid ongoing conflict.
- Putin considers Russians and Ukrainians one people, asserting Russia's claim to the entire Ukrainian territory.
- Russian forces are establishing a buffer zone in the northeast, extending ten to twelve kilometers deep.
- Although not an immediate objective, Putin did not rule out seizing the regional capital Sumy.
- Ukraine’s leadership condemned Putin’s remarks, viewing them as obstacles to peace efforts.
Wherever the foot of a Russian soldier stands, that place belongs to us.— Wladimir Putin stated this during his speech at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
Iran urged to negotiate - Merz, Macron and Starmer speak out: Under Donald Trump, the USA has attacked Iran's nuclear facilities. Now other heads of state are ...
stimme.de/politik/welt/iran-usa-israel-angriff-friedrich-merz-keir-starmer-emmanuel-macron-verhandlungen-art-5064590

State parliament: AfD wants statements made by members of parliament to be exempt from punishment
volksstimme.de/panorama/afd-will-aussagen-von-abgeordneten-straffrei-stellen-4070982

Friedrich Merz and ministers refuse to disclose shareholdings: Their decisions cause shares to rise or fall - but where their own money is located usually ...
abgeordnetenwatch.de/recherchen/interessenkonflikte/friedrich-merz-und-ministerinnen-verweigern-angaben-zu-aktienbesitz


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Opaque Stock Holdings Among German Cabinet MembersOnly two ministers disclose shareholdings; Chancellor Merz remains silent on his €5.7 million shares in a train maker from 2019.
Key FactsJun 20 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abgeordnetenwatch.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abgeordnetenwatch.de
- Germany lacks mandatory transparency requirements for stock ownership among the Chancellor and ministers, unlike France or the United States.
- In 2019, Friedrich Merz held shares worth €5.7 million but does not reveal if he still owns them and is not obliged to do so.
- Most ministries decline to provide details on holdings, with only Building Minister Verena Hubertz and Economy Minister Katherina Reiche making disclosures.
- The Council of Europe demanded stricter disclosure rules in 2020, but no legislative changes have occurred and ministers remain silent on the issue.
As Finance Minister, I sometimes make decisions that are relevant to the capital market or have information about individual listed companies.— Christian Lindner, former Finance Minister, spoke about the conflicts of interest that can arise from political decisions.
Economic policy: Chancellor Merz's nine-point plan for the economy: On “German Industry Day”, Merz and Finance Minister Klingbeil want to present the economy ...
handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/wirtschaftspolitik-kanzler-merz-neun-punkte-plan-fuer-die-wirtschaft/100136219.html


AfD party foundation wants taxpayers' money - but maintains contacts with the far right
correctiv.org/aktuelles/neue-rechte/2025/06/19/afd-parteistiftung-pflegt-kontakt-zur-extremen-rechten/

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Controversy Surrounds Steinbach’s Foundation Funding BidDesiderius-Erasmus-Foundation seeks millions in state funds amid scrutiny over ties to right-wing extremists and constitutional concerns.
- Erika Steinbach’s Desiderius-Erasmus-Foundation aims to secure state funding worth tens of millions of euros.
- The Federal Ministry of the Interior is reviewing the foundation’s commitment to democratic principles and its political alignment.
- Photographs linking Steinbach to known right-wing extremists, including Gernot Mörig, may jeopardize funding approval.
- Several board members are cited in a constitutional protection report for extremist and racist statements.
When proven Nazi cadres meet with the chairwoman of the Desiderius Erasmus Foundation, it is not private.— Helge Lindh, SPD member of the Bundestag, in an interview with 'Correctiv'.
OpinionThe AfD exposes itself to the Islamic Stone Age mullahs of all people: Exposing: The Islam-critical AfD fails to turn against the mullah regime in Iran ...
focus.de/politik/meinung/ausgerechnet-bei-den-islamischen-steinzeit-mullahs-entlarvt-sich-die-afd_0cc96e95-1fcf-4a8f-968d-3e976280d70e.html

Everyone warned about this: an investor cancels his plans in this AfD stronghold: The AfD is seen as a location risk for Germany. Nevertheless, it received many ...
fr.de/wirtschaft/davor-haben-alle-gewarnt-in-dieser-afd-hochburg-storniert-ein-investor-seine-plaene-zr-93784854.html


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Investor Halts Project Amid Rising AfD InfluenceIn April 2025, a €10 million nursing school plan was canceled due to 37% AfD support in the proposed location Albstadt.
- The AfD gained 20.8% of votes in the February federal election and is seen as a threat to economic stability.
- Investor Kaspar Pfister abandoned plans for a nursing school after discovering 37% AfD voter share in the targeted district.
- A 2023 IW survey revealed nearly half of businesses in AfD strongholds struggle to recruit foreign skilled workers.
- IfW research shows populist governments reduce GDP by 10% after 15 years in power, impacting economic growth.
If in a town of 6000 inhabitants 37 percent are AfD voters, I can't just set up a nursing school for foreign professionals there.— Kaspar Pfister, entrepreneur, on his decision to halt plans for a nursing school in Albstadt.
Anette Riehl fears tourists will stay away because of the AfD: Is the AfD driving holidaymakers away from eastern Germany? One guesthouse operator is convinced: ...
faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/debatten/anette-riehl-fuerchtet-ausbleibende-touristen-wegen-der-afd-110548272.html
Union leads AfD in Forsa poll - biggest gap in months: Many people are currently focusing on the Middle East conflict. The CDU/CSU in particular is benefiting ...
stern.de/politik/deutschland/union-enteilt-afd-bei-forsa-umfrage---groesster-abstand-seit-monaten-35817104.html
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Union Widens Lead Over AfD in Latest PollThe RTL/n-tv trend barometer shows the largest gap between Union and AfD in several months as of June 2025.
- The latest Forsa survey indicates a clear lead for the Union over the AfD.
- The margin between the two parties is the widest in recent months.
- Current political sentiment is strongly shaped by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
- This data stems from the RTL/n-tv trend barometer published in June 2025.
“Can't possibly go on vacation where 40 percent vote for Nazis”: This is how the Tagesspiegel community reacts to complaints from Brandenburg restaurateurs
tagesspiegel.de/berlin/ich-kann-unmoglich-urlaub-machen-wo-40-prozent-nazis-wahlen-so-reagiert-die-tagesspiegel-community-auf-beschwerden-brandenburger-gastwirte-13886266.html

From Chrupalla to Maaßen to the "Bundesführer": Right-wing newspaper celebrates summer festival in Berlin-Wilmersdorf
tagesspiegel.de/berlin/von-chrupalla-bis-zum-bundesfuhrer-rechte-zeitung-feiert-sommerfest-in-berlin-wilmersdorf-13874638.html


Hanover: Hundreds protest against AfD “child protection congress” in the state parliament
haz.de/lokales/hannover/hannover-hunderte-protestieren-gegen-afd-kinderschutzkongress-im-landtag-OA7LWKEPGRAB5FAFOGN5TVI2OY.html

Fake news in the established media: How SA thugs marched into the “Press Club”: As public broadcasters, ARD and ZDF have a special duty of care. However ...
berliner-zeitung.de/kultur-vergnuegen/tv-medien/fake-news-im-etablierten-medienbetrieb-wie-sa-schlaegertrupps-im-presseclub-einmarschierten-li.2335740

Government: Merz wanted to save staff - but creates dozens of new jobs: The federal government is propagating lean government and wants to cut jobs. Now, however ...
handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/regierung-merz-wollte-personal-sparen-doch-schafft-dutzende-neue-stellen/100136128.html


Extremism in the AfD: How the AfD wonders about itself: Confidence of victory, self-doubt and fear of a ban: If you ask around the AfD these days ...
zeit.de/2025/25/extremismus-afd-matthias-helferich-verfassungsschutz-alice-weidel
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AfD Faces Success Amid Internal Extremism StrugglesIn 2025, the AfD nears major election wins but grapples with radical elements and disputes over controversial MP Matthias Helferich.
- The AfD is poised for strong results in the 2026 state elections while facing growing internal divisions and radicalization.
- Controversial MP Matthias Helferich remains a disputed figure amid an ongoing party expulsion process and faction disagreements.
- Leaked emails from Helferich’s past fuel uncertainty and raise concerns about far-right tendencies within the party.
- Party leader Alice Weidel’s ambiguous stance on the allegations intensifies internal conflicts and challenges public perception.
I found mass immigration really threatening. But of course, the protest against my family background also played a role.— Matthias Helferich discussing his political motivation and the impact of his upbringing.
Poll: CDU/CSU extends lead over AfD - Merz's popularity ratings rise: Six weeks after taking office, approval of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is growing ...
welt.de/politik/deutschland/article256266478/umfrage-union-baut-vorsprung-vor-afd-aus-beliebtheitswerte-von-merz-steigen.html
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Union Gains Ground as Merz Popularity RisesSix weeks into office, Merz's approval hits 43% while Union polling climbs to 28%, matching February’s election results.
- The Union increased its polling by one point to 28%, regaining its February election level according to the latest Forsa survey.
- The AfD dropped one point to 23%, with SPD and Greens maintaining stable support.
- Merz's approval rating rose to 43%, especially among Union and SPD supporters, although skepticism remains strong in eastern Germany.
- 27% of respondents trust CDU/CSU most to handle national issues, while AfD’s perceived competence fell to 10%.
43 percent of respondents express satisfaction with his work – this is three points more than in the previous week, five more than at the end of May.— This statement comes from a survey measuring public satisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's performance.
OpinionDuty of neutrality: Who is not neutral here, please?: Julia Klöckner's Bundestag administration does not allow civil servants to take part in the CSD as a group ...
zeit.de/kultur/2025-06/neutralitaetspflicht-csd-beamte-julia-kloeckner-bundestag


Israel is ‘doing dirty work for all of us’ in Iran, German chancellor says: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday expressed strong support for Israel in ...
english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/06/17/israel-is-doing-dirty-work-for-all-of-us-in-iran-german-chancellor-says
War against Iran: Chancellor Merz pledges help to Israel: Iran also attacks civilian targets in Israel, killing ten people. Chancellor Merz has now announced ...
spiegel.de/politik/israel-gegen-iran-kanzler-friedrich-merz-sagt-israel-hilfe-zu-a-f61c373a-bdd9-4a46-bdff-a3a697ce64c0


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Merz Pledges Strong Support to Israel Amid ConflictChancellor Merz promises swift fire-fighting aid and warns of potential attacks on Jewish sites in Germany.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls on Iran to immediately halt attacks against civilian targets in Israel.
- Germany is preparing for possible threats to Israeli and Jewish sites within its borders.
- Merz stresses that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons, as this endangers regional stability.
- Germany will provide Israel with fire-fighting equipment in response to the ongoing conflict.
Tehran must immediately cease the bombardment of civilian targets in Israel.— Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated this on Sunday in Berlin before his departure to the G7 summit in Canada.
Center for Political Beauty: Evidence for AfD ban now available: The debate about banning the right-wing extremist party, parts of which have been secured ...
berliner-zeitung.de/news/zentrum-fuer-politische-schoenheit-beweise-fuer-afd-verbot-jetzt-einsehbar-li.2333906


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New Evidence Fuels Debate on Banning AfDAn art collective compiled 3,663 proofs against AfD after the domestic intelligence agency labeled it extremist.
Key FactsJun 16 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
- The Center for Political Beauty published 3,663 pieces of evidence against AfD on its website.
- Evidence is categorized into exclusion, hostility to democracy, individual freedoms, separation of powers, and Holocaust.
- The domestic intelligence service classified the entire AfD as definitively extremist in early May.
- This classification is currently paused pending a court ruling, with only some state branches officially labeled extremist.
The suspicion that the party is pursuing efforts directed against the free democratic basic order has been confirmed and solidified in significant parts.— This statement comes from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, describing the classification of the AfD as securely right-wing extremist.
"Overcontrol": Government slaps down AfD for "unreasonable" mass request: The AfD wants to find out numerous details in identical questions to the ministries ...
focus.de/politik/deutschland/ueberkontrolle-regierung-watscht-afd-fuer-unzumutbare-massenanfrage-ab_1b196027-ccee-42d0-9a06-32309e958dc1.html

Sahra Wagenknecht on Chancellor's “dirty work” statement: “Friedrich Merz shows his true colors”
berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/geopolitik/sahra-wagenknecht-friedrich-merz-zeigt-sein-wahres-gesicht-li.2334796

Labour market in Germany: State recently paid around seven billion euros to “top-ups”
spiegel.de/wirtschaft/deutschland-staat-zahlte-zuletzt-rund-sieben-milliarden-euro-an-aufstocker-a-abb43721-281c-446e-a66d-0bad72bc0775

Michael Lüders: “There are strong indications that the US will go to war”: Israel attacks Iran - and the US could follow suit. Middle East expert Michael Lüders ...
freitag.de/autoren/dorian-baganz/michael-lueders-es-gibt-starke-hinweise-dass-die-usa-in-den-krieg-einsteigen

Federal politics news: SPD wants to initiate proceedings to ban the AfD: The party conference this weekend is expected to decide to establish a federal-state ...
sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundesregierung-liveblog-news-afd-verbotsverfahren-li.3270219
Bad Freienwalde: "Who wants to convict whom now and for what?": In Bad Freienwalde, a queer town festival was attacked by suspected right-wing extremists ...
zeit.de/gesellschaft/2025-06/bad-freienwalde-stadtfest-angriff-rechtsextremismus-brandenburg

Will electricity blad cost less money? What the Merz government is planning: The Merz government has announced an electricity price offensive to relieve the ...
infranken.de/ratgeber/karriere-geld/strom-billiger-weniger-kosten-plan-bundesregierung-merz-bis-juli-details-art-6226365
Adolf Hitler and the Germans or: Fear eats democracy: Does Adolf Hitler back then lead to an AfD ban today? Or is the open society freezing in front of its ...
stern.de/politik/deutschland/adolf-hitler-und-die-deutschen-oder--angst-essen-demokratie-auf-35805340.html
Dirty work quote: uproar over Merz statement: Friedrich Merz causes a stir from time to time with interview statements. This time it is one of the Chancellor's ...
rheinpfalz.de/politik_artikel,-wirbel-um-merz-aussage-_arid,5785159.html

AfD trend slowed: Merz scores points in new poll: The AfD is losing ground, while Merz increases his lead. This should not only bring relief to the chancellor's ...
fr.de/politik/afd-trend-gebremst-merz-punktet-in-neuer-umfrage-zr-93775423.html


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Merz Gains Support as AfD Declines in June PollA June 2025 survey reveals Merz’s approval at 36%, Union leads with 27%, AfD drops to 23%, and SPD holds 16% support.
- Friedrich Merz’s satisfaction rating increased by 13 points to 36 percent according to a recent Insa poll.
- Approval for the black-red coalition rose to 37 percent, indicating growing public support.
- The Union leads the party rankings at 27 percent while the AfD falls to 23 percent, seemingly deciding the close race.
- Other parties like SPD and Left lost one point each, whereas the Greens gained slightly.
More than a third of voters are satisfied with Friedrich Merz as Chancellor.— This is shown by a survey conducted by the polling institute Insa for Bild am Sonntag.
Debt offensive: Friedrich Merz ignores citizens' fear of inflation: Germany is now flooding the market with federal bonds - but ordinary citizens will end up ...
berliner-zeitung.de/wirtschaft-verantwortung/schuldenoffensive-friedrich-merz-ignoriert-die-angst-der-buerger-vor-inflation-li.2334894


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Merz’s Debt Strategy Risks Municipal and Consumer StabilityNearly one trillion euros in debt will be funded by bonds, while local governments warn of severe financial shortfalls ahead.
Key FactsJun 19 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: berliner-zeitung.de
- Friedrich Merz proposes a massive investment package financed primarily through the issuance of government bonds.
- Municipalities demand full compensation for revenue losses caused by tax cuts to avoid budget deficits.
- Financial experts caution that high debt levels combined with geopolitical tensions may trigger an inflation shock soon.
- Rising interest rates and inflation increase costs for public budgets and private borrowers, impacting society at large.
The principle 'Who orders, pays' must be applied consistently.— André Berghegger, Managing Director of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, in the Rheinische Post.
Federal President vilified: Man from Saale-Holzland district sentenced: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was vilified.
otz.de/lokales/saale-holzland-kreis/article409275436/bundespraesident-verunglimpft-mann-aus-saale-holzland-kreis-verurteilt.html


OpinionComment: It's the economy, Friedrich Merz: The Federal Chancellor has arrived on the international stage. At home, the economy is waiting for the starting signal ...
handelsblatt.com/meinung/kommentare/kommentar-its-the-economy-friedrich-merz/100135973.html

2025 Federal Election: Seniors helped Merz to the Chancellery: A deep rift runs through the country: While seniors clearly voted for the CDU/CSU ...
nzz.ch/international/der-stille-sieg-der-aelteren-wer-friedrich-merz-zum-kanzler-gemacht-hat-ld.1890183
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Older Voters Shape Germany’s 2025 Federal ElectionVoters over 60 increased by 2 million since 2021, strongly boosting CDU/CSU support and election turnout above 80%.
- The CDU/CSU achieved their strongest support among seniors, reaching 33.4% in the over-70 age group.
- The senior electorate expanded by over two million since the previous election, contrasting with a decline in younger voters.
- Voter turnout was significantly higher among older citizens, peaking at 85.5%, compared to less than 70% for young adults.
- Younger voters favored parties on the political extremes, exacerbating the ideological divide across generations.
Germany: Authorities unsuccessfully take guns away from AfD members: The decisive factor is “reliability”. Such an intervention can hardly be based on suspicion ...
nzz.ch/international/deutschland-behoerden-nehmen-afd-mitgliedern-erfolglos-die-waffen-weg-ld.1886680
Maybrit Illner: Armin Laschet defends Friedrich Merz against criticism of “dirty work” statement
berliner-zeitung.de/news/israel-iran-krieg-laschet-verteidigt-merz-gegen-kritik-an-drecksarbeit-aeusserung-li.2335070

Office for former chancellor: lavishly staffed Scholz office - “You don't need your own court for life”
welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus256281990/ausstattung-fuer-altkanzler-ueppig-besetztes-scholz-buero-sie-brauchen-keinen-eigenen-hofstaat-auf-lebenszeit.html

The AfD and its trigger points: From "remigration" to Russia: Thanks to Maximilian Krah, the AfD has the next debate on the term "remigration" ...
stern.de/politik/deutschland/die-afd-und-ihre-triggerpunkte--von--remigration--bis-russland-35817874.html
Trump now speaks of "regime change" in Iran after all - | Israel launches new attacks
focus.de/politik/iran-feuert-fattah-3-raketen-auf-israel-khamenei-die-schlacht-beginnt_6d12c0d3-08c8-4f74-800a-b90f3946213f.html


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Middle East Conflict Intensifies with Strikes on IranUS and Israeli airstrikes severely damage Iran's nuclear sites; Russia offers vague support while Iran threatens critical shipping routes.
- Israel and the United States launched significant air attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, causing major destruction.
- Russian President Putin condemned the strikes as unprovoked aggression and promised assistance without specifying details.
- In retaliation, Iran threatens to close the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping lane.
- The conflict escalates with Iranian missile attacks on Israel and political unrest including calls for regime change.
Mister Trump, the player, you may start this war, but we will end it.— A spokesperson for the Iranian Army Central Command, responding to the US attacks.
Thuringian CDU parliamentary group proposes AfD members for important state parliament committees
otz.de/politik/article409285368/thueringer-cdu-fraktion-schlaegt-afd-abgeordneten-fuer-wichtige-landtagsausschuesse-vor.html


"We are not sitting with war criminals": Why Chancellor Friedrich Merz should not make politics against, but with Russia
weltwoche.de/daily/wir-sitzen-nicht-mit-kriegsverbrechern-zusammen-warum-kanzler-friedrich-merz-nicht-gegen-sondern-mit-russland-politik-machen-sollte/

Poll shows: Merz increasingly popular, CDU/CSU gains ground - and returns to election level
weltwoche.de/daily/umfrage-zeigt-merz-immer-beliebter-union-legt-zu-und-erreicht-wieder-das-wahl-niveau/

Linke seeks base: fight for the neighborhood: More and more left-wing groups are doing neighborhood work. In Bremen, the Left Party is committed to countering ...
taz.de/Linke-sucht-Basis/!6091889/


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Ramelow Questions Left Party's Direction Amid CrisisBodo Ramelow highlights party divisions intensified by pandemic and war, reflecting on leadership challenges until 2024.
- Bodo Ramelow expresses frustration over internal party splits exacerbated by COVID-19, Putin’s war, and rising prices.
- He finds the developments within the Thuringian Left, including new leadership and office separation, particularly troubling.
- Ramelow criticizes the lack of respect for officials and the attacks on the red-red-green state government during his term as minister-president.
- He insists the party must focus on improving lives broadly and avoid becoming isolated, frivolous, or elitist.
Am I in the process of leaving the party – or is my party just leaving me?— Bodo Ramelow expresses his frustration about the developments in his party on his website.
OpinionWait, are they Muslims? Dirty work for Merz: Israel blasts the AfD: The Middle East divides the far-right federal party: some are uncomfortable with the war ...
n-tv.de/politik/politik_wieduwilts_woche/Drecksarbeit-fuer-Merz-Israel-sprengt-die-AfD-article25849353.html

Forsa CEO Güllner: "It's entirely possible to return the AfD to its right-wing radical core"
welt.de/politik/deutschland/article256273048/forsa-chef-guellner-durchaus-moeglich-die-afd-auf-rechtsradikalen-kern-zurueckzufuehren.html
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AfD's Future: Potential Decline Amid Political ChallengesAfter scoring 20.8% in the last election, the AfD's growth might be curbed by policies focusing on citizens and economy.
- Forsa head Manfred Güllner believes the AfD's rise can be halted by reemphasizing its far-right core.
- Effective government attention to citizens' needs and protecting Germany’s economic position is crucial for this shift.
- The grand coalition of CDU and SPD currently enjoys wide voter approval, allowing CDU to gain if it maintains clear boundaries.
- Most citizens view AfD as unsuitable for government, with polls showing it lags significantly in addressing national issues.
It is certainly possible to bring the AfD back to its far-right core.— Manfred Güllner, head of the Forsa opinion research institute, in an interview with 'Zeit'.
Welcome back: Merz lifts Germany back onto the world political stage: After the dithering Olaf Scholz comes the hands-on Friedrich Merz. The new chancellor has ...
schwaebische.de/politik/welcome-back-merz-hebt-deutschland-wieder-auf-die-politische-weltbuehne-3678177

EU repeats plea for diplomacy after US bombs Iran: The EU maintains its mantra that diplomacy should take precedence over military action.
euractiv.com/section/defence/news/eu-repeats-plea-for-diplomacy-after-us-bombs-iran/

Boris Pistorius at Caren Miosga - | What the Defense Minister says about the US strike against Iran
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.boris-pistorius-bei-caren-miosga-es-gibt-behaebigkeit-in-der-bundeswehr.58dd7a5f-b62c-45c0-b32a-0641e82ed409.html


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Pistorius Pushes for Strong Army and United EuropeBy 2029, Pistorius aims to expand Germany’s military to 260,000 troops amid NATO’s 5% GDP defense spending target.
- Defense Minister Pistorius plans to make Germany combat-ready within four years by significantly strengthening the Bundeswehr by 2029.
- NATO members agreed to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP, prompting unprecedented investments from Germany.
- Pistorius views Iran as the region’s major threat and sees the destruction of its nuclear facilities as beneficial for Middle East stability.
- Ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, Pistorius highlights the need for European unity and steadfast commitment to collective defense.
We are doing everything to be able to defend ourselves.— Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defense, discusses Germany's readiness for defense in the context of the upcoming NATO summit.
New poll quake for SPD: Merz government without majority: Friedrich Merz continues to widen his lead over the AfD. However, the SPD's slump is putting the ...
merkur.de/politik/neues-umfragebeben-fuer-spd-merz-regierung-ohne-mehrheit-93795829.html

Iran must ‘never have nuclear weapons’: Merz: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday that Iran must “never have nuclear weapons,” his government spokesman ...
english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/06/15/iran-must-never-have-nuclear-weapons-merz-
“Dear tourists, please give us a chance” : Brandenburg guesthouse laments lack of guests after AfD election success
tagesspiegel.de/potsdam/brandenburg/liebe-touristen-bitte-gebt-uns-eine-chance-pension-beklagt-ausbleiben-von-gasten-nach-afd-wahlerfolgen-13836154.html


Would they fight? How young men think about Germany's defense: Friedrich Merz wants to make the Bundeswehr the strongest army in Europe, Scholz proclaimed the ...
stern.de/politik/deutschland-im-ernstfall-verteidigen---was-jungen-maenner-denken-35787760.html
German farewell culture: Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi's new book "Rausländer": In her book "Rausländer", Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi describes what Germany 2025 feels like for ...
sueddeutsche.de/politik/deutschland-rassismus-ausgrenzung-migration-waslat-hasrat-nazimi-rauslaender-rezension-li.3248769

Escalation in the Middle East - but where is the AfD?: The leadership of the Alternative for Germany wants to remain as neutral as possible in the Middle East ...
fr.de/politik/eskalation-im-nahen-osten-aber-wo-ist-eigentlich-die-afd-zr-93795513.html

Negotiations on the "Compact" ban: Talk of a system overthrow? Supposedly just PR
spiegel.de/panorama/compact-magazin-so-lief-die-verhandlung-vor-dem-bundesverwaltungsgericht-in-leipzig-a-413f2f84-8bc3-471d-8178-b269d23936d7


Biodiversity: Beavers belong in the rivers and not on your plate: A study shows that without beavers, our biodiversity would be in a much worse state ...
taz.de/Artenvielfalt/!6092695/
Dispute over "remigration": Why AfD member Krah is now facing hostility from within his own camp
spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/maximilian-krah-warum-der-afd-mann-jetzt-aus-dem-eigenen-lager-angefeindet-wird-a-d1d8c74d-30fc-454c-9321-fd01bf6839c5

Merz criticizes EU trade talks with US as ‘far too complicated’: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls to hurry up transatlantic trade talks ahead of EU summit.
politico.eu/article/merz-criticizes-eu-trade-talks-with-us-as-far-too-complicated/

OpinionNew study: This is how former Nazis and the worst anti-Semites got back into positions of power in the FRG
berliner-zeitung.de/kultur-vergnuegen/debatte/historiker-so-kamen-in-der-brd-schlimmste-antisemiten-wieder-in-machtpositionen-li.2333795

New foreign policy: Why the AfD's friends of Russia are now turning to the USA: The AfD is realigning its foreign policy: away from Putin's Russia and towards ...
spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/afd-aussenpolitik-warum-sich-die-russlandfreunde-jetzt-den-usa-zuwenden-a-cee7f762-ab15-4695-bdd8-23f783aa5f09

Special funds: Concrete and bridges alone do not strengthen democracy: With the investment package, Black-Red also wants to weaken the AfD. This can succeed if ...
zeit.de/politik/2025-06/sondervermoegen-finanzpolitik-demokratie-infrastruktur-rechtsextremismus
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