Friedrich Merz

Germany’s AfD poised to preside over state assembly for first time

AfD’s Ulrich Siegmund (right) hopes to be elected as state premier in December, while Tobias Rausch is expected to become Speaker.

Merz unveils fresh military aid in Kyiv, says Germany won’t be intimidated

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky attend the site of a Russian strike on the building of the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct 4.

Russia strikes hit Kyiv as Germany’s Merz visits

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz walk as they pay tribute at the makeshift memorial to fallen Ukrainian defenders at the Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct 4.

Germany preparing for serious hybrid attacks by Russia, says Merz, reaffirming Ukraine support

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left) was speaking at an event on Oct 1 where the 2026 Westphalian Peace Prize was awarded to the NATO alliance.

German security agencies face dilemma after victories for far right and far left

Senior figures in the ruling coalition say the far-right Alternative for Germany and the far-left Left Party could both pose risks.

The West does not have a leadership problem

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is not alone in facing a demanding electorate, says the writer.

German state election losses risk snarling Merz’s reform agenda

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has himself recognised that the government needed to acknowledge that many voters did not feel it was being “fair” in its reform plans.

Friedrich Merz clings on after German election ‘disaster’

German Chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader, Friedrich Merz arrives for a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party board meeting, after the state elections, in Berlin, Germany, on Sept 21.

Five takeaways from Germany’s regional elections

The AfD gained significantly in both states and became the strongest party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 21, 2026

A woman casts her ballot on the last day of voting on Sept 20 at a polling station in Podolsk, Moscow, Russia.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.