Zelenskyy rejects Berlin's EU lane on a day that exposes Merz's narrowing room to manoeuvre
Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally rejected Chancellor Friedrich Merz's "associate" EU membership proposal, telling Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen that Ukraine's place "must be complete -- full and equal." Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks set to chair a new North-South Committee on the Global South, while a five-person Bundestag delegation led by Green Till Steffen flew to Taipei on May 24-31 with Steffen telling Beijing not to interfere; separately, the Unimed hospital billing breach was disclosed to have stolen data on at least 72,000 patients.
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Berlin's 'associate' EU offer rebuffed by Zelenskyy as Scholz takes Global South brief and Bundestag delegation flies to Taiwan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally rejected Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal to make Kyiv an "associate" EU member without voting rights, telling Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Ukraine's place "must be complete -- full and equal." Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to chair a new North-South Committee on ties with the Global South, the role agreed in the CDU-SPD coalition deal. A five-person Bundestag delegation led by Green lawmaker Till Steffen flies to Taipei on May 24 -- 31 to meet President Lai Ching-te and Taiwanese parliamentarians, with Steffen telling Beijing not to interfere.
Cyberattack on German hospital billing firm Unimed steals data of tens of thousands of patients
Unidentified attackers breached the systems of German hospital billing company Unimed in mid-April, stealing sensitive data of tens of thousands of private and self-paying patients. The full extent emerged in recent days, with at least 72,000 patients affected at four university hospitals in Baden-Württemberg alone. The BSI warned the stolen data could be used for targeted phishing or extortion.
Released Gaza flotilla activists allege beatings and sexual assault by Israeli forces
Activists detained on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of beatings and sexual assault, including rape, after their release Friday. Organizers documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse, with some activists hospitalized with broken bones and taser injuries. Israel's prison service denied the allegations, while Germany, Canada, and Italy said they were investigating or had received reports of abuse.
German Greens leader Brantner calls for European nuclear deterrence debate
Franziska Brantner, co-leader of Germany's Greens party, has called for a debate on European nuclear deterrence, citing the need for a British-French nuclear umbrella. Brantner, a longtime opponent of nuclear weapons, argued that the US nuclear shield can no longer be relied upon indefinitely. She made the remarks in an interview published on May 23, 2026.
All Events
Every other event tracked in Germany, with a one-line preview.
de35German interior minister Dobrindt aims to finalize return center agreements by year-end
Background: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has been maintaining border controls despite court rulings. Today: Dobrindt announced plans to conclude agreements with EU partners on establishing return centers in third countries by the end of 2026, coordinating with Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and the European Commission. He also seeks to increase deportations, including to Afghanistan and Syria, despite criticism over cooperation with the Taliban for deportations to Afghanistan. Deportations in Q1 2026 fell for the first time in five years, dropping by 1,344 to 4,807 compared to the previous year.
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German interior minister Dobrindt aims to finalize return center agreements by year-end
Background: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has been maintaining border controls despite court rulings. Today: Dobrindt announced plans to conclude agreements with EU partners on establishing return centers in third countries by the end of 2026, coordinating with Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and the European Commission. He also seeks to increase deportations, including to Afghanistan and Syria, despite criticism over cooperation with the Taliban for deportations to Afghanistan. Deportations in Q1 2026 fell for the first time in five years, dropping by 1,344 to 4,807 compared to the previous year.
Background: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has been maintaining border controls despite court rulings. Today: Dobrindt announced plans to conclude agreements with EU partners on establishing return centers in third countries by the end of 2026, coordinating with Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and the European Commission. He also seeks to increase deportations, including to Afghanistan and Syria, despite criticism over cooperation with the Taliban for deportations to Afghanistan. Deportations in Q1 2026 fell for the first time in five years, dropping by 1,344 to 4,807 compared to the previous year.
de34German human rights report warns rapid militarization threatens fundamental rights
Ten German human rights organizations released the 2026 Fundamental Rights Report, warning that the country's rapid militarization—including a €500 billion defense package—and cuts to development aid and refugee programs are eroding fundamental rights. The report also criticizes potential reintroduction of conscription and reduced refugee resettlement. Former Justice Minister Herta Däubler-Gmelin highlighted the impact of wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran on rights.
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German human rights report warns rapid militarization threatens fundamental rights
Ten German human rights organizations released the 2026 Fundamental Rights Report, warning that the country's rapid militarization—including a €500 billion defense package—and cuts to development aid and refugee programs are eroding fundamental rights. The report also criticizes potential reintroduction of conscription and reduced refugee resettlement. Former Justice Minister Herta Däubler-Gmelin highlighted the impact of wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran on rights.
Ten German human rights organizations released the 2026 Fundamental Rights Report, warning that the country's rapid militarization—including a €500 billion defense package—and cuts to development aid and refugee programs are eroding fundamental rights. The report also criticizes potential reintroduction of conscription and reduced refugee resettlement. Former Justice Minister Herta Däubler-Gmelin highlighted the impact of wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran on rights.
de33German SPD politicians reject former minister Albig's call to end firewall against AfD
Former Schleswig-Holstein minister-president Torsten Albig urged the SPD to drop its 'firewall' against the far-right AfD and consider minority governments tolerated by the party. Senior SPD politicians, including Jochen Ott and Julian Barlen, strongly rejected the idea, accusing Albig of promoting 'poisonous ideas' and noting his current role as a lobbyist for Philip Morris. They cited the AfD's far-right ideology and historical persecution of social democrats. AfD parliamentary manager Bernd Baumann welcomed Albig's remarks. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) dismissed speculation about preparing for AfD state government participation, emphasizing the need to prevent such scenarios.
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German SPD politicians reject former minister Albig's call to end firewall against AfD
Former Schleswig-Holstein minister-president Torsten Albig urged the SPD to drop its 'firewall' against the far-right AfD and consider minority governments tolerated by the party. Senior SPD politicians, including Jochen Ott and Julian Barlen, strongly rejected the idea, accusing Albig of promoting 'poisonous ideas' and noting his current role as a lobbyist for Philip Morris. They cited the AfD's far-right ideology and historical persecution of social democrats. AfD parliamentary manager Bernd Baumann welcomed Albig's remarks. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) dismissed speculation about preparing for AfD state government participation, emphasizing the need to prevent such scenarios.
Former Schleswig-Holstein minister-president Torsten Albig urged the SPD to drop its 'firewall' against the far-right AfD and consider minority governments tolerated by the party. Senior SPD politicians, including Jochen Ott and Julian Barlen, strongly rejected the idea, accusing Albig of promoting 'poisonous ideas' and noting his current role as a lobbyist for Philip Morris. They cited the AfD's far-right ideology and historical persecution of social democrats. AfD parliamentary manager Bernd Baumann welcomed Albig's remarks. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) dismissed speculation about preparing for AfD state government participation, emphasizing the need to prevent such scenarios.
de30Thuringia minister-president Voigt accuses AfD of hostility toward religion over church funding threats
Thuringia minister-president Mario Voigt (CDU) condemned the AfD's threats to cut state funding to churches if they come to power in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Voigt called the AfD's plans an attack on churches and Christian-Western values, accusing the party of cultural hostility and hostility toward religion. The AfD leads polls in both states ahead of elections in Saxony-Anhalt in September and Thuringia in 2029.
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Thuringia minister-president Voigt accuses AfD of hostility toward religion over church funding threats
Thuringia minister-president Mario Voigt (CDU) condemned the AfD's threats to cut state funding to churches if they come to power in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Voigt called the AfD's plans an attack on churches and Christian-Western values, accusing the party of cultural hostility and hostility toward religion. The AfD leads polls in both states ahead of elections in Saxony-Anhalt in September and Thuringia in 2029.
Thuringia minister-president Mario Voigt (CDU) condemned the AfD's threats to cut state funding to churches if they come to power in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Voigt called the AfD's plans an attack on churches and Christian-Western values, accusing the party of cultural hostility and hostility toward religion. The AfD leads polls in both states ahead of elections in Saxony-Anhalt in September and Thuringia in 2029.
de28Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to lead new North-South Commission
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to lead a new North-South Commission established by the German government to strengthen ties with developing and emerging economies. The commission aims to diversify and intensify bilateral relations with the Global South, addressing development, security, and foreign policy interests. It is expected to convene in the second quarter of 2026.
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Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to lead new North-South Commission
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to lead a new North-South Commission established by the German government to strengthen ties with developing and emerging economies. The commission aims to diversify and intensify bilateral relations with the Global South, addressing development, security, and foreign policy interests. It is expected to convene in the second quarter of 2026.
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to lead a new North-South Commission established by the German government to strengthen ties with developing and emerging economies. The commission aims to diversify and intensify bilateral relations with the Global South, addressing development, security, and foreign policy interests. It is expected to convene in the second quarter of 2026.
de20Record number of people obtain German citizenship in 2025
A record 309,852 people received German passports in 2025, a 6% increase from 2024, driven by Germany's 2024 citizenship law reform allowing dual citizenship and reducing residency requirements. A further surge is expected in 2027 as Ukrainian refugees become eligible.
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Record number of people obtain German citizenship in 2025
A record 309,852 people received German passports in 2025, a 6% increase from 2024, driven by Germany's 2024 citizenship law reform allowing dual citizenship and reducing residency requirements. A further surge is expected in 2027 as Ukrainian refugees become eligible.
A record 309,852 people received German passports in 2025, a 6% increase from 2024, driven by Germany's 2024 citizenship law reform allowing dual citizenship and reducing residency requirements. A further surge is expected in 2027 as Ukrainian refugees become eligible.