- 4d ago
Spahn proposes stripping Thuringia AfD leader Höcke of voting rights instead of party ban
CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn suggested a targeted legal procedure to revoke the active and passive voting rights of Thuringia's AfD chief Björn Höcke, calling it a more practical step than a full party ban.
- 5d ago
Arbitration imposes social plan for Zalando Erfurt site, no transfer company
After months of deadlock, an arbitration board has imposed a social plan for the 2,100 employees of Zalando's Erfurt logistics center, clearing the way for the site's closure at the end of September.
- Jul 5
AfD leader Weidel criticises party's family model, says she lives differently in same-sex partnership
Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right AfD, has distanced herself from her party's Saxony-Anhalt election programme, which calls the traditional mother-father-child unit the best basis for child development. Weidel lives with a woman and raises two children with her.
- Jul 4
AfD re-elects Weidel and Chrupalla at Erfurt congress, targets first state win as 20,000 protest
Germany's far-right AfD re-elected co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla at its annual congress in Erfurt on Saturday, as the party polls near 30% and aims to win its first state government in Saxony-Anhalt in September. Around 20,000 anti-fascist demonstrators blocked roads and disrupted transport in an attempt to stop the gathering.
- Jul 4
Thousands protest AfD congress in Erfurt but fail to block it as party re-elects Weidel and Chrupalla
Between 15,000 and 31,000 demonstrators gathered in Erfurt on Saturday to oppose the far-right Alternative for Germany party congress, but delegates arrived early under police escort and the event went ahead as planned.
- Jul 4
Thousands protest in Erfurt as far-right AfD holds congress on Nazi anniversary
Thousands of demonstrators blocked roads and highways in Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) began its annual congress, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of a Nazi party rally nearby.
- Jul 3
AfD re-elects Weidel and Chrupalla as leadership tilts further right, while 31,000 protest in Erfurt
Alice Weidel strengthened her grip on the party as the AfD congress in Erfurt re-elected both co-leaders, shifted the federal board rightward, and drew more than 31,000 protesters onto the streets.
- Jun 30
Thuringia’s parliament president pushes factions to settle new electoral district boundaries
Thuringia’s state parliament president Thadäus König has urged political factions to agree on new electoral district boundaries, warning that the current maps risk unequal voter weight due to population decline. The redrawing is required before the next state election, but König expects only modest adjustments.
- Jun 29
German decoration chain Depot to close 66 stores in latest insolvency, leaving roughly 80 sites
The German home decoration chain Depot will close 66 of its remaining stores, shedding about 330 jobs, as the parent company undergoes its second insolvency proceeding since 2024, amid a record-high share of retailers fearing for survival.
- Jun 28
Lena Schätte wins 50th Ingeborg Bachmann Prize for story of two obese girls
The 32-year-old German author and psychiatric nurse took the €30,000 main prize and the audience award at the jubilee edition of the prestigious German-language literary competition in Klagenfurt, Austria.
- Jun 25
Thuringia interior minister warns against blockades ahead of AfD party conference in Erfurt
Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier has urged peaceful protest and warned that blockades aimed at stopping the AfD's federal party conference in Erfurt on 4–5 July are not protected by assembly law.
- Jun 20
Schwerdtner re-elected, Pantisano joins at top of Germany's Left party after controversial remarks
Delegates confirmed Ines Schwerdtner with 85.7 percent and chose Luigi Pantisano as her new co-chair at the party congress in Potsdam. Pantisano's 53.3 percent result reflects unease over his comparison of the CDU to fascists.
- Jun 19
Erfurt's Krämerbrückenfest opens with first sun sails in 30°C heat
Erfurt's largest old-town festival returns this weekend with temperatures reaching 30°C. The city sets up sun sails for the first time and launches a drinking-fountain map as visitors flock to free concerts and a medieval market.
- Jun 14
Eastern Germany hit by showers and thunderstorms before midweek summer warmth arrives
The Deutscher Wetterdienst warns of repeated showers, isolated thunderstorms and storm-force gusts across Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this weekend, with a dramatic temperature rise expected from Tuesday.
- Jun 14
Höcke signals ambition to steer federal AfD through confidant Möller's deputy bid ahead of Erfurt congress
Thuringia's far-right AfD leader Björn Höcke says his close ally Stefan Möller would act as his conduit in the party's federal board if elected deputy at the July congress in Erfurt.
- Jun 11
FAZ pulls Thuringian premier's guest article after AI probe finds quotes unverifiable; Voigt camp says AI use is 2026 reality
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has taken down a guest article by Thuringia's minister president Mario Voigt after an investigation by portal FragDenStaat found likely AI-generated content and unverifiable expert quotes. Voigt's office says using AI is routine in 2026.
- Jun 9
Erfurt tops German happiness ranking as city size and social fabric shape life satisfaction
The Thuringian capital scores 7.74 out of 10 in the 2026 SKL Glücksatlas, while Rostock, Frankfurt and Wiesbaden bring up the rear in a survey of 40 major cities.
- May 26
Thuringia real estate report 2026: Jena tops prices while eastern districts offer plots from €37/m²
The 2026 real estate market report for Thuringia reveals extreme price gaps, with university city Jena commanding up to €547,000 for a single-family home while buyers in the Kyffhäuserkreis pay as little as €140,000.
