DGB chair Yasmin Fahimi told the central May Day rally in Nuremberg that German unions would mount 'hard resistance' to government plans to cut pensions, statutory health insurance and social benefits, warning of a 'major social conflict' if pension protection levels are touched. Hundreds of rallies took place across Germany under the banner 'first our jobs, then your profits.'

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Friday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's Iran strategy and defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz against Trump's recent attacks, calling on Trump to ensure the war in Iran ends quickly.

Germany's black-red coalition under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has completed a turbulent first year, marked by internal disputes over migration, welfare reform, and a contentious rent package that nearly failed due to rebel votes within the Union.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the transatlantic alliance remains strong despite recent U.S. threats, and defended Germany's role in coordinating with Washington on Iran, Ukraine, and Russia. He acknowledged room for improvement in Berlin's communication with the U.S. administration.

A survey by the Central Council of Jews in Germany found that 46 out of 102 Jewish communities reported antisemitic incidents in the past 12 months, including insults, threats, hate comments, and vandalism. 68% of communities feel less safe than before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Many Jews avoid wearing religious symbols. The situation has not improved after the Gaza ceasefire, and 62% say the Iran war has worsened conditions. Solidarity from civil society dropped from 62% to 35%. Central Council President Josef Schuster called it a 'new normal' of normalized antisemitism.

German MEP and defense committee chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann emphasized the mutual importance of US troops stationed in Germany, following President Trump's threat to review a possible reduction. She noted that trust in the current White House is lower than under previous administrations. The US currently has about 39,000 troops in Germany, which serves as a key hub for US military operations in Europe and the Middle East. A US law passed in December requires the administration to keep troop levels in Europe above 76,000 for more than 45 days, limiting Trump's ability to unilaterally withdraw.

Germany's temporary fuel tax cut of 16.7 cents per liter took effect on June 1, 2025, but early data from the Federal Cartel Office and ADAC shows that the full reduction was not passed on to consumers. Petrol and diesel prices dropped by approximately 10 cents on average, with midday price spikes still occurring, though slightly lower than previous days. The government and consumer groups warn oil companies against pocketing the relief, and the cartel office is monitoring the situation. The measure, costing the state up to 1.6 billion euros, is intended to last two months.

The German CDU/CSU parliamentary group is debating a potential revival of nuclear energy, including reactivating recently shut-down reactors and investing in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced support for SMRs, while CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn called for a societal debate on reactivating old plants. However, a survey of CDU/CSU MPs showed limited support, and operators EnBW, PreussenElektra, and RWE stated that reactivation is practically irreversible. The SPD remains firmly opposed to any nuclear revival.