Michael Kretschmer
German politician
Photo: Pawel Sosnowski / Sächsische Staatskanzlei, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- Oct 2
Steinmeier intervenes in German coalition standoff over healthcare, pensions, and taxes
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held crisis calls with Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt following disputes over social reforms and tax policy.
- Sep 5
Volkswagen approves restructuring plan to cut 100,000 jobs and phase out vehicle output at four German plants
The German automaker will eliminate approximately 100,000 positions globally and end car assembly across four domestic factories by 2034, reallocating vehicle lines to Central European plants.
- Aug 28
AfD pursues power in Saxony-Anhalt as election results shake CDU leadership
Following the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is exploring governing options despite lacking a three-seat majority, while CDU leadership faces growing internal friction.
- Jul 31
Seven German states rebel against coalition plan to abolish 'Rente mit 63' pension
Germany's black-red coalition faces mounting resistance from eight states over its plan to abolish the deduction-free pension after 45 contribution years, with SPD and CDU politicians alike demanding exemptions, transition rules and hardship provisions.
- Jul 26
Söder announces 2028 re-election bid, defends Merz's reshuffle, and warns against AfD cooperation
Bavarian premier Markus Söder used the ZDF Sommerinterview to confirm his 2028 candidacy, defend Chancellor Merz's cabinet reshuffle, and draw a sharp line against cooperation with the AfD, while also addressing the Berlin CSD attack.
- Jul 24
Merz reshuffles German cabinet after Spahn resignation, signals further changes before state votes
Chancellor Friedrich Merz replaced his chancellery chief and health minister on Friday, with the transport minister also expected to depart, as he seeks to revive his unpopular government before September regional elections.
- Jul 22
Kretschmer: 'Whoever still talks about firewalls has not recognized the signs of the times'
Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer says the CDU must talk to every party, including the Left, as state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern approach in September.
- Jul 8
Schulze rules out seeking AfD or Left Party votes as former CDU leaders warn against toleration ahead of Saxony-Anhalt election
Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President Sven Schulze says he will not ask the AfD or Die Linke for support after the September state election, while two former CDU state leaders warn that a minority government tolerated by the Left would sink the party.
- May 28
Yad Vashem to Open First-Ever International Education Center in Munich, with Satellite in Leipzig
Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial has chosen Munich as the site for its first educational center outside Israel, with a smaller branch in Leipzig, in a move to combat rising global antisemitism.
