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EXPLAINED: 6 - The Real Truth

New chancellor, old constraints: Germany’s Friedrich Merz will have a hard time freeing the country from its self-imposed shackles

Friedrich Merz received a rude shock on the morning of May 6, 2025, as he prepared to lose the “in-waiting” qualifier from his title as German chancellor.

The Conversation

Fact check: What are the German coalition’s plans to clamp down on disinformation?

Misleading claims that the "black-red" coalition government led by Friedrich Merz is set to introduce "censorship laws" under a "Ministry of Truth" are circulating online. Euroverify fact-checks.

Euronews

Polish far-right MEPs uncomfortable in Sovereign Nations group

The three Polish members of Europe of Sovereign Nations are unhappy with the group’s stance on Russia. But they will not leave it (for now).

Euronews

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German Censorship Highlights Europe's Eroding Free Speech Protections

America stands alone in valuing and protecting free speech.

Reason

Nigel Farage is a hit on TikTok – but are young voters listening or laughing?

Reform gets almost 14 times the engagement per post as the main UK parties on the platform

The Guardian - UK

Trump Admin Pressures Germany Agency to Delay Labeling Far-Right German Party as 'Extremist'

Germany's spy agency has paused labeling the far-right AfD party as "extremist," after rare diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration.

Latin Times

German secret services await ruling on AfD ‘extremist organisation’ label

Germany's domestic intelligence agency was on Friday waiting for judges to decide if they could go ahead with their plan to classify the far-right Alternative for Germany party as an extremist movement.

Radio France Internationale

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Plan for windfarm in German ‘fairytale forest’ stokes green energy culture war

Far right accused of misinformation over turbines at Reinhardswald, which has left local people divided

The Guardian - UK

Germany's Merz Tells Trump US Remains 'Indispensable' Friend

Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the Ukraine war and trade rows with US President Donald Trump on Thursday and said the United States remained Berlin's "indispensable" partner, using their first phone call to attempt to heal frayed ties.

International Business Times

Germany's intelligence agency suspends AfD party's 'extremist' classification

The far-right party filed a lawsuit against the extremism designation and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution says it will suspend the categorisation pending litigation.

Euronews

Germany Slams Russian 'Lies' On Ukraine In WWII Commemoration

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday criticised Russia's "historical lies" over the Ukraine war, as he marked the Nazi defeat that ended World War II in Europe 80 years ago.

International Business Times

Antisemitic incidents surge across Europe and the world, ADL's J7 Task Force report shows

Cases of antisemitism have risen dramatically in Germany and elsewhere, as Europe marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Euronews

Germany's New Govt Orders Border Police To Reject Most Asylum Seekers

Germany's new government said Wednesday it would reject most asylum seekers at its borders as conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to limit irregular immigration and curb the rise of the far-right.

International Business Times

Friedrich Merz arrives as a humbled new German chancellor – but that may not be the worst way to start

Defeat in the first round of a confirmation vote was humiliating. It could be the lesson Merz needed to change his leadership style, says Jörg Lau of Die Zeit

The Guardian - UK

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The Guardian - UK

The Guardian view on Germany’s political uncertainty: Merz must recover from this rocky start

Editorial: The initial failure of coalition members to back the new chancellor in sufficient numbers was a bad beginning at a treacherous moment for the nation

The Conversation

Friedrich Merz confirmed as Germany’s chancellor – but betrayal by MPs in a secret ballot means he starts from a position of weakness

Friedrich Merz has been confirmed as Germany’s new chancellor after a close shave left his future in doubt.

The Independent UK

Far-right call for Germany to deport Syrian refugees after fall of Assad regime

The far-right Alternative for Germany party maintains that asylum should only be a temporary solution – and wants Syrians to return home, as Germany forced Bosnians to do in the 1990s

The Guardian - UK

What held up Friedrich Merz’s confirmation as chancellor and what’s next for Germany?

The CDU/CSU leader suffered an embarrassing surprise defeat in a first vote that was expected to be a formality

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The Independent UK

Why Friedrich Merz’s voting debacle could upset his ambitious plans for the EU

The voting fiasco has shaken the beginning of a leadership that was supposed to signal a new era of stability

Euronews

Bundestag elects CDU's Friedrich Merz as new German chancellor in repeat vote

The CDU party leader was confirmed as Germany's chancellor on Tuesday in a second vote after a tumultuous first round saw him fall six votes short.

The Guardian - UK

German parliament elects Merz as chancellor in second round of voting

New leader secures 325 votes after humiliating loss in first round inflicted by 18 unnamed coalition rebels

Euronews

German lawmakers to vote on whether to approve Merz as chancellor

Merz must secure 316 votes in the 630-seat strong lower chamber of German parliament in order to become chancellor.

International Business Times

Germany's Merz To Launch New Govt In Times Of Trump Turbulence

Germany's conservative leader Friedrich Merz is set to be sworn in as chancellor on Tuesday with a mission to revive the ailing economy and boost the diplomatic standing of the EU's most populous country.

Salon

Pariah nation: Trumpism rejected at cost

The West was moving to the right — and then Donald Trump got elected again

Al Jazeera

AfD sues over ‘extremist’ classification; Germany rejects US criticism

‘We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped,’ Germany’s foreign ministry says.

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