Topic

Germany

18 stories from Planck Standard. Latest: September 20, 2026.

World
The AfD Won Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Far-Left Die Linke Won Berlin, and Chancellor Merz's CDU Fell to About 5% in a State Where It Once Governed, the Party's Worst Result Anywhere Since 1945

Projections put the AfD at roughly 37% to 38% in the northeastern state and Die Linke at about 25% in the capital, where a Turkish-German lawyer named Elif Eralp declared that 'love and justice have triumphed over hatred.' The AfD's co-leader called Merz's response 'more than feeble' and demanded his resignation.

Sep 20 3 min read
World
Friedrich Merz Canceled His Trip to the U.N. Because 'His Presence Is Required in Berlin'

Ten days after the AfD took 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt, the chancellor's party is polling at 7% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and 78% of Germans say he is the wrong man for the job. Two more state votes come Sunday.

Sep 16 3 min read
World
The AfD Took 44% in Saxony-Anhalt. No Far-Right Party Has Led a German State Since 1945

Ulrich Siegmund's party more than doubled its 2021 result and left Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats at 18.5% after 24 years running the state. Every other party still refuses to govern with it.

Sep 6 3 min read
World
Volkswagen Will Cut 100,000 Jobs by 2030. That Is Roughly One in Seven Workers

The supervisory board signed off unanimously on another 50,000 cuts on top of the 50,000 already agreed. Four German plants sit on the list, and no full-scale German factory has ever been closed.

Sep 4 3 min read
World
The AfD Is Polling at 41% in Saxony-Anhalt Two Days Before the Vote. The CDU Is at 24%

Ulrich Siegmund, 35, could become the first far-right state premier in Germany's postwar history. Every party but one has refused to govern with him, which makes an outright majority his only route.

Sep 4 3 min read
World
Germany Says Russia Flew an Explosive Drone at a Ukrainian Cargo Plane. It Is Closing a Consulate Over It

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the device found at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4 matched known Russian hybrid operations. Putin, speaking in Kyrgyzstan, said the evidence "has been planted."

Sep 2 4 min read
Watch

Top News
Van Plows Into Berlin Pride Crowd Near the Brandenburg Gate, Killing a Woman and Injuring 16

The driver fled on foot after the white van struck a tree in Tiergarten park, and Berlin police say they have identified a suspect known to the city's Islamist scene but have not arrested him.

Jul 26 3 min read
World
AfD Reelects Weidel as 30,000 Protesters Clash With Police in Erfurt

A Thuringian court overturned a ban on the far-right party's congress just hours before it opened, as tens of thousands flooded the city trying to shut it down.

Jul 5 2 min read
Watch

Top News
World Cup Kicks Off This Week as U.S. Falls 2-1 to Germany in Final Tune-Up

The United States dropped its last warm-up before co-hosting soccer's showpiece, where 48 teams open play June 11 across three North American nations.

Jun 8 2 min read
World
Neo-Nazi Candidate Reaches Mayoral Runoff in German Town, Breaking Post-War Taboo

For the first time since World War II, a member of a neo-Nazi party has advanced to a mayoral runoff in Germany, raising concerns about the far-right's growing influence in eastern regions.

Jun 7 3 min read
Tech
Ordinary WiFi Networks Can Now Identify People With Startling Accuracy

German researchers demonstrate new form of surveillance using radio waves, raising privacy concerns about ubiquitous wireless networks.

May 24 3 min read
World
NATO Allies Quietly Plan for an Alliance Where the U.S. No Longer Leads

Trump's decision to launch the Iran war without consulting NATO — followed by his 'naughty and nice' list punishing Spain and the U.K. — is driving Brussels and Berlin toward independent defense planning, including a revived Franco-German nuclear umbrella.

May 8 4 min read
World
German Leaders Clash With Intelligence Chiefs Over Iran Domestic Threat

Intelligence agents privately warn of potential hybrid attacks from Iran-linked groups, but political leaders including Chancellor Merz publicly downplay the risks.

May 7 3 min read
World
Germany Misjudged Trump's Anger Over Iran War Criticism, Faces Troop Withdrawal

Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered no public sign he believed Trump's threats to pull 5,000 US troops were serious after criticizing American military action in Iran.

May 2 3 min read
Top News
U.S. to Withdraw 5,000 Troops From Germany Following Diplomatic Tensions

Pentagon announces major troop reduction after President Trump expresses frustration with German chancellor's Iran war comments.

May 1 2 min read
Politics
Trump Threatens to Withdraw U.S. Troops From Germany After Chancellor's Iran Comments

President lashes out at German leader Friedrich Merz following remarks that Iran has 'humiliated' the United States.

Apr 29 3 min read
Watch

World
Trump Eyes Closing Ramstein Air Base and Rota as NATO Allies Refused to Back Iran Campaign

Senior U.S. officials are discussing relocating forces from Germany and Spain to Poland and Romania after NATO partners declined to grant airspace or basing rights for Iran operations.

Apr 11 3 min read
World
Germany Plans €10 Billion Independent Military Satellite Network, Alarming EU Partners Over Defense Fragmentation

Berlin's SATCOM Stage 4 constellation of 100+ low-orbit satellites would parallel the EU's own IRIS² program, raising fears of costly duplication in European defense architecture.

Mar 24 5 min read