German politics

Commentary across Europe is focused on the weakening of Germany's traditional political centre, with mainstream parties losing ground and questions mounting about who will shape the country's next government. Observers are debating what a fractured political landscape means for German policy, European Union stability and the future of coalition politics in Europe's largest economy.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have held a rare direct meeting at a time of sharply heightened tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Direct high-level contacts between the two governments have become unusual since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making the talks notable. The meeting suggests both sides see some value in keeping diplomatic channels open, even as political relations remain deeply strained.

German outlet Der Spiegel has released the second part of its 'Inside Russia' documentary series, presenting what it describes as exclusive insights into Vladimir Putin's isolated dictatorship. The film explores daily life, political repression and the atmosphere inside Russia, and is drawing large international attention amid ongoing interest in how ordinary Russians experience the war in Ukraine and tightening Kremlin control.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has convened talks with European Union counterparts aimed at tightening the EU's migration pact. The discussions focus on strengthening border controls and speeding up asylum procedures across the bloc. Dobrindt, who leads Germany's interior ministry, has pushed for a firmer line on irregular migration, and the meeting signals Berlin is seeking to rally EU partners behind stricter enforcement of the common European asylum and migration framework.

Germany's interior minister has called for expedited deportation procedures to handle mass border crossings into the country. The proposal signals a tougher stance on migration as authorities struggle to process increasing arrivals. The statement is likely to fuel ongoing debate within the German government and across the EU over border controls, asylum rules, and the balance between humanitarian obligations and enforcement.

Germany's CDU has been pushed out of power in state elections, with the AfD and Die Linke emerging as the winners in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin respectively. Attention now turns to coalition negotiations, as no party has a straightforward path to government and analysts are debating who will govern the two states and how the results reshape national politics ahead of the federal race.

German politics is growing increasingly polarized, with voters and parties drifting further apart across issues like immigration, the economy and the war in Ukraine. Observers point to the rise of the Alternative for Germany, tensions within the governing coalition and public frustration with the establishment as key drivers of the deepening divide.

Cities across Europe are searching for new ways to increase the supply of affordable housing as rents and property prices strain household budgets. The topic, reported by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, reflects a wider debate among urban policymakers about construction, regulation and public investment. Housing affordability has become a pressing political issue in many major European cities.

Germany will bid to host the Olympic Games, with Munich named as the candidate city. Details on which edition of the Games and the formal timeline of the bid have not yet been confirmed, but the announcement puts Munich forward as Germany's candidate for a future Olympics. Attention is expected to focus on financing, infrastructure and public support as the bid develops.

Pope Leo will travel to Metz, France, where he plans to invoke Robert Schuman's vision of European unity, according to RFI. Schuman, a French statesman and one of the EU's founding fathers, championed Franco-German reconciliation after the Second World War. The speech is being watched as a signal of the Vatican's position on European integration at a time of political fragmentation.

The European People's Party is sharpening its position on migration. At a large gathering of the party in southern France, Friedrich Merz and the CDU are pushing for stricter measures on migration, following the party's defeats in recent German state elections. An amendment proposal calling for tougher policies has been put forward for delegates to approve.

Commentary in international media is asking whether the foundations of German democracy are weakening. The question reflects growing concern over political instability, the rise of extremist parties and pressure on Germany's established political institutions. Observers are debating whether the country's postwar democratic order can withstand its current political and social strains.

Thousands of students across Germany went on strike on Friday, 25 January, protesting against the reintroduction of military conscription and against education cuts, according to a report by Ana Vracar in Savage Minds. The action frames opposition to militarisation as inseparable from defence of public education funding, and organisers say youth reject being turned into a reserve army as European security debates intensify.

Germany's Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has decided which German city it will nominate as the country's candidate for a future Olympic Games. The decision has been made internally, but the confederation has not yet named its choice, with an official statement expected at a later date. The announcement will clarify which city will carry Germany's hopes of hosting the Olympics.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is traveling to The Hague for a visit to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, combined with discussions on the EU's budget strategy. The trip underlines Germany's positioning on international justice institutions at a time when they face political pressure, while Berlin weighs its stance on the European Union's next long-term budget.

Journalist and political scientist Gilda Sahebi has published a cover story arguing that migration is repeatedly used as a projection surface for wider social fears. She links current polarization around immigration to global struggles over the distribution of resources and opportunity, framing the debate as about inequality rather than migration itself.

Former German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, speaking in an interview with Caren Miosga, has accused Israel of committing war crimes. The statement by the prominent Green politician is drawing strong reactions in Germany, where debate over Israel's military actions and the government's response remains highly sensitive and politically charged.

The refugee rights organisation Pro Asyl is marking its 40th anniversary. Amid an increasingly heated German debate over migration and asylum, the group is highlighting the stories of people who arrived in 2015 and have since settled, work, study and become part of society. It argues these success stories are told far too rarely in the current political climate.

Germany's Left Party held a press conference addressing Martin Potter and Uwe Poschardt, broadcast live by the WELT news channel. The topic has drawn significant public attention in Germany, with discussion centering on what the party said about the two figures and the political implications of its remarks.

The Berlin branch of the Left party has filed a criminal complaint against Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's interior minister, over an antisemitism-related accusation. The dispute, reported by Die Zeit, centers on what the party says was an antisemitic remark or conduct. Dobrindt has not been charged, and the legal basis and outcome of the complaint remain to be seen.

Tagesspiegel commentator Malte Lehming recalls prominent cases of antisemitism and hostility toward Israel in German politics, citing figures from the CDU such as Theodor Oberländer and Hans Globke, the CSU's Hermann Fellner, the Greens' Hans-Christian Ströbele and the FDP's Jürgen Möllemann. The piece argues such incidents span the political spectrum rather than belonging to a single party, prompting debate about how German parties confront this history.

German social media users are commenting that the Bild tabloid has helped end Jens Spahn's political career, with the phrase 'breaking his neck' used figuratively. The discussion touches on Spahn and the Union parties, expressing surprise that Bild, often an ally of conservative politicians, would turn on him. Details of what prompted the tabloid's stance remain sparse in the posts themselves.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is drawing reactions across Germany's political spectrum. According to Der Spiegel, the SPD and the Greens have praised Wadephul over the talks. CDU foreign policy politician Roderich Kiesewetter is among the figures being searched in connection with the discussion about the diplomatic move.