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Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOur potential for growth is still too low, says Germany's CDU LeaderFriedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, speaks to Annette in an exclusive interview from the Ludwig Erhard Summit in Tegernsee, Germany.
Persons: Friedrich Merz, Annette, Ludwig Erhard Summit Organizations: Christian Democratic Union Locations: Germany's, Tegernsee, Germany
Berlin CNN —Germany should overturn its 150-year old ban on abortions and make terminations legal within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a government-appointed panel of experts said on Monday. The procedure is de-criminalized up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, but anyone seeking a termination must attend a compulsory counselling session followed by a mandatory three-day waiting period. After 12 weeks, abortions are only allowed in exceptional circumstances, such as if the pregnancy or birth poses a risk to the mother’s physical or mental health. “(The commission’s) recommendations provide a good basis for the open and fact-based conversation that is now necessary,” German Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus said in a statement on Monday. The proposals from Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s party would legalize abortion up to 12 weeks, a move more in line with some Western European countries.
Persons: Liane Woerner, , Lisa Paus, Karl Lauterbach, , Donald Tusk’s, Andrzej Duda, Roe, Wade Organizations: Berlin CNN —, Reproductive, Social Democratic Party, SPD, Greens, Free Democrats, University of Constance, German Federal Statistical Office, Christian Democratic Union, Central Committee, Bishops ’ Conference, Family, German, Law, Justice Locations: Berlin CNN — Germany, Germany, France
CNN —Germany says it will investigate after a recording leaked of a conversation between several top-ranking German officers on the country’s Ukraine war strategy. A spokesperson of the German Defense Ministry confirmed to CNN the recording was authentic. “According to our assessment, a conversation in the air force sector has been intercepted. The Kerch bridge has been a targeted for Ukraine throughout the conflict. Alexey Pavlishak/ReutersGermany has been resisting sending the weapons to Kyiv, fearing they could be used for attacks on Russian territory.
Persons: CNN —, Margarita Simonyan, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, Alexey Pavlishak, Maria Zakharova, Roberich, Organizations: CNN, German Defense Ministry, Ukraine, Reuters, Russian Foreign, Christian Democratic Union, ZDF, Deutsche Welle Locations: CNN — Germany, Ukraine, Kerch, Crimean, Russia, Rome, Reuters Germany, Moscow, Germany, Russian
It is hard to group Black Germans — sometimes also referred to as Afro-Germans — under one umbrella; there is no one description that encompasses the diversity of Black people here. The same year I was born, a seminal work about Black Germans, “Showing Our Colors: Afro-German Women Speak Out,” was published. I think that these are precisely the times when Black community, Black alliances and Black spaces are so important. In 2020, the Black Student Union at the University of Bremen renamed February “Black Our Story Month,” and has been holding Black History Month events every year since, creating visibility for the complexity of Black experiences. The Black community in Germany celebrated its first Black History Month in 1990.
Persons: Josephine Apraku, I’m, I’ve, ” Josephine Apraku Dahahm Choi It’s, there’s, ” Josephine Apraku, , Christian Mang, Audre Lorde, Lorde, Roma, Sinti, — that’s, Steffi Loos, Schwarzer, George Floyd, Black, Organizations: African Studies, CNN, Berlin CNN, Black, Africa, Free University of Berlin, CDU, Christian Democratic Union, Black Student Union, University of Bremen, ISD, of Black People, White Locations: Berlin, Germany, Black, East Germany, Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, German, Ghana, Europe, Territories, Namibia, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Cameroon, Togo, ” Josephine Apraku Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain, United States, Tiergarten, Black Germans, Deutschland
CNN —Germany’s lower house of parliament voted to legalize cannabis for limited recreational use among adults on Friday, following a controversial debate about the pros and cons of allowing easier access to the drug. In total, 407 German lawmakers voted in favor of the new regulation; 226 lawmakers voted against and four lawmakers abstained from Friday’s vote. The move makes Germany the third country in Europe – after Malta and Luxembourg – to legalize the drug for recreational use, removing cannabis from the official list of banned substances. The German government said that cannabis would remain illegal for minors and highly restricted for young adults, adding that consuming the drug near schools and playgrounds would be illegal. “Nobody should misunderstand this law: cannabis consumption is being legalized, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous,” Germany’s health minister said.
Persons: , Karl Lauterbach, ” Lauterbach, , Tino Sorge, GMA Klaus Reinhardt Organizations: CNN, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, German Medical Associations, GMA Locations: Germany, Europe –, Malta, Luxembourg, Netherlands
Adding to a complex picture, Germany has the largest Palestinian diaspora in Europe, estimated at 300,000. J'rg Carstensen/picture-alliance/dpa/APThere are thought to be around 450 Hamas members in Germany and, like the rest of the European Union, Germany considers Hamas a terrorist organization. There were also reports of people celebrating the Hamas attacks on the streets of Berlin. Spreading propagandaOn November 2, Germany took the step of banning Hamas and all activities linked to the group. Police stand outside a building that houses a synagogue following a pre-dawn attack on October 18 in Berlin, Germany.
Persons: Friedrich Merz, , Molotov, Jakon Schindler, Schindler, , Uli Deck, Der Spiegel, Matthew Levitt, Maja Hitij, Yossi Mekelberg, , Germany we’re, Lamya Kaddor, Nadine Schmidt, Sophie Tanno Organizations: CNN, Nazi, Christian Democratic Union, ZDF, Palestine, European Union, Federal Office, Protection, Counter Extremism, Hamas, Police, Brandenburg’s, Act, George Washington University, Israel, Washington Institute for Near East, U.S ., EU, Atlantic Council, IDF, Israel Defensce Forces, Chatham House, West Bank, Reuters, Rights Watch Locations: Israel, Gaza, Germany, Berlin, Europe, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, German, Potsdam, Karlsruhe, Israel American, U.S, Austria, Hamas, East, Africa, Chatham, Palestine, London
More than 1 million people attended protests across Germany over the weekend, showing their opposition to a right-wing political party that most recently discussed the deportation of large numbers of foreign-born residents. The demonstrations against the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party, have now continued into a second week nationwide. What Is the Alternative for Germany Party? The anti-immigrant, far-right party, founded in 2013 and now led by the German politician Alice Weidel, has been gaining polling ground. What Does Recent German Polling Show?
Persons: , Martin Sellner, Olaf Scholz, Alice Weidel Organizations: People, Bundestag, Reuters, Deutsche Welle, Christian Democratic Union, Germany Party, News Locations: Germany, Munich, Berlin, Europe, France, Potsdam –, Austrian, German, Nazi, Germany's, Thuringia, Saxony, Brandenburg, U.S
Now, many are warning that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is capitalizing on the chaos for its own political gain. Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesA tractor displays a banner with the logo of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party that reads: "Germany needs new elections!" “Supporting democratic protests like this against traffic light madness will continue to be a concern of our hearts,” one post reads. The traffic light will soon be standing all alone.”The “traffic light” is a reference to Scholz’s coalition government – an allusion to the colors of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens it is comprised of. Far-right coup fantasiesGerman ministers and a domestic intelligence chief have warned how right-wing extremists could try to exploit the farmers’ protests.
Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Sean Gallup, Martin, ” Steven, Björn Höcke, Scholz, Johannes Kiess, ” Kiess, Jens Schlueter, Kiess, Robert Habeck, ” “, ” Habeck, Kay Nietfeld, Stephan Kramer, , ” Kramer, , Nadine Schmidt, Claudia Otto, Sophie Tanno Organizations: Germany CNN — Farmers, Farmers, Getty, Social Democratic Party, SPD, Free Democratic Party, Greens, Germany’s Office, Homeland, Deutsche, University of Leipzig, CNN, , Ukraine, Tractors, CDU, CSU, Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Locations: Berlin, Germany, Frankfurt, AFP, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Cologne, Bremen, Nuremberg, Munich, Rügen, Pomerania, Thuringia, Berlin ., Dresden, Saxony, Deutsche Bahn, Cottbus, Torgau, London
Speaking to parliament, Scholz went into Germany's recent history of the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices to extend a suspension of self-imposed borrowing limits to tackle a crisis that has knocked his coalition. A constitutional court ruling nearly two weeks ago blocked the government's plans to reallocate unused pandemic funds towards green initiatives and industry support, raising fears Germany's economy could be further weakened. Scholz's assurances that his government would solve the budget crisis with care were met with jeers and laughter from the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), whose lawsuit against the government had sparked the earlier court ruling. He underscored support for Ukraine, after the recent budget turmoil raised questions over how much military aid Berlin was willing to commit. "It is also clear that we must not let up in our support for Ukraine and in overcoming the energy crisis.
Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Scholz, Germany's, Berlin, Scholz's, " Merz, Andreas Rinke, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Climate, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, Bundestag, Christian Democrats, Ukraine, Finance, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Ukraine, Germany, East Germany
It's set to be a hot topic at the COP28 summit in Dubai, which begins this week. There are reports that there will be a concerted effort to get behind a big increase in nuclear capacity from now to 2050. "As more nations understand the role nuclear can play in achieving energy security and decarbonisation targets, global support for nuclear energy is growing," he added. "The phase-out of nuclear power makes our country safer; ultimately, the risks of nuclear power are uncontrollable," Steffi Lemke, Germany's federal minister for the environment and nuclear safety, said in April. France, a major player in nuclear power, is also planning to increase its number of reactors.
Persons: Janos Kummer, Atoms4NetZero, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Friedrich Merz, CNBC's Annette Weisbach, Merz —, Chancellor Olaf Scholz —, Steffi Lemke Organizations: Getty, International Atomic Energy Agency, CNBC, World Nuclear Association, IAEA, Christian Democratic Union, Greenpeace, Germany —, Locations: Slovakia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, COP28, Germany, Sweden, France
A constitutional court ruling on Nov. 15 against a budget manoeuvre to get around Germany's "debt brake" threw the financial plans of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition into disarray. "As I have long been saying, we must fear that the debt brake becomes ever more a brake on the future," said Berlin mayor Kai Wegner on social media platform X. "The debt brake was implemented when Europe had a debt sustainability issue and Germany wanted to lead by example," he said. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match," he said. The Greens' campaign programme ahead of the last election included debt brake reform to allow for greater investments.
Persons: Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Reiner Haseloff, Haseloff, Kai Wegner, Friedrich Merz, Carsten Brzeski, Roderich Kiesewetter, Stefan Marschall, Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Matthias Williams, Holger Hansen, Nick Macfie Organizations: Climate, Finance, BERLIN, U.S, Intel, Reuters, AAA, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, Christian Social Union, CSU, Berlin, Free Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens, ING, SPD, University of Duesseldorf, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Europe's, Ukraine, Saxony, Anhalt, United States, Bavarian, Federal, Germany, Europe, France, Italy, Spain, China
The economy and finance ministry declined immediate comment. "So the ruling could have a negative impact on economic growth," the source added. Last month, the economy ministry predicted 1.3% growth for next year. Although the Greens want additional spending, the Free Democrats (FDP), which heads the finance ministry, reject additional debt and higher taxes. "There is a clear political decision in favour of Intel and nothing has changed yet," said an economy ministry spokesperson on Friday.
Persons: Liesa, Olaf Scholz's, Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Joerg Kraemer, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Christian Haase, Commerzbank's Kraemer, Maria Martinez, Andreas Rinke, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Clarence Fernandez, Gerry Doyle, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thursday, Greens, Free Democrats, Transformation, Intel, U.S, Christian Democratic Union, ESF, Economic, Stabilization, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe's
REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Germany's budget committee paused final deliberations on the 2024 draft budget early on Friday morning, according to the chief budget officers of the coalition government, after a constitutional court ruling threw negotiations into disarray. The contents of the ministries' budgets were finalised during the committee meeting, the budget officers said. On Wednesday, the constitutional court decision prompted the government to postpone the formal vote of the budget committee until next Thursday. Despite the court ruling, the 2024 budget is expected to be passed as planned at the end of the Bundestag's budget week on Dec. 1, according to members of the budget committee. The chief budget officers of the coalition government accused the opposition of refusing to cooperate in budget deliberations.
Persons: Liesa, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Joerg Kraemer, Friedrich Merz, Commerzbank's Kraemer, Maria Martinez, Holger Hansen, Clarence Fernandez, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Greens, Free Democrats, European Commission, dpa, Bundestag's Energy, CDU, CSU, Christian Democratic Union, ESF, Economic, Stabilization, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Ukraine
[1/3] FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks on as he meets NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin, Germany, November 9, 2023. Wednesday's decision by the constitutional court could also set a precedent for fiscal responses to future crises. "FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES""The court ruling has far-reaching consequences for fiscal policy in Germany," said Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo economic institute. This was done with the Second Supplementary Budget Act 2021, which retroactively amended the Budget Act for 2021. The constitutional court ruled that this act was incompatible with Germany's Basic Law and so was void.
Persons: Olaf Scholz, Jens Stoltenberg, Liesa, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Christian Lindner, Lindner, Scholz, Robert Habeck, Clemens Fuest, Ralph Solveen, Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Maria Martinez, Christian Kraemer, Ursula Knapp, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, Madeline Chambers, Susan Fenton, William Maclean, Catherine Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Finance, Union, Social Democrats, Free Democrats, Christian Democratic Union, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Ukraine
'German economy is still lagging behind,' CDU leader says
  + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com   time to read: 1 min
Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email'German economy is still lagging behind,' CDU leader saysFriedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union party, discusses the state of Germany's economic and political landscape.
Persons: Friedrich Merz Organizations: Christian Democratic Union
Joe Kaeser delivers a speech during the Siemens Annual Shareholders' Meeting on February 3, 2021 in Munich, Germany. Pool | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesThe results of two state elections in Germany sent "a clear message" to Berlin that the government needs "to get their act together," Joe Kaeser, chairman of the Supervisory Board at Siemens Energy, told CNBC. The execution I think is something which has potential for improvement," Kaeser, the former CEO of Siemens, said in an interview with CNBC's Annette Weisbach Tuesday. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gained votes in the two key regions. The AfD's candidate in Hesse, Robert Lambrou, had anticipated that voters would swing toward his party, saying that people were "heavily disappointed by the policy of the government."
Persons: Joe Kaeser, CNBC's Annette Weisbach, Angela Merkel's, Robert Lambrou, Kristalina Georgieva Organizations: Siemens, Getty, Board, Siemens Energy, CNBC, Conservative, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, Christian Social Union, Social Democrats, Greens, Free Democrats, IMF Locations: Munich, Germany, Berlin, Hesse, Bavaria, Germany's
Strained France-Germany ties slow EU decision making
  + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +6 min
From joint defence programmes to nuclear energy or relations with China, Paris and Berlin are at odds over a growing number of issues. In an August speech Macron made his frustration public, calling Germany's position on nuclear energy "a historic mistake". Germany decided to phase out nuclear energy after Japan's Fukushima disaster in 2011, closing its last reactors in April. It is unclear if France and Germany can hash out a deal in Hamburg ahead of a crucial EU energy meeting on Oct. 17, but analysts are doubtful. Although the concept was criticised for having failed with Russia, German officials believe trade ties with a country like China could prevent conflict.
Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Sarah Meyssonnier, Macron, Detlef Seif, Marc, Antoine Eyl, Wolfgang Munchau, hasn't, Wandel, Handel, Noah Barkin, Sarah Marsh, Kate Abnett, Michel Rose, Rachel Armstrong, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Weimar, REUTERS, German Christian Democratic Union, BASF, Reuters, EDF, Franco, GMF, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Hamburg, Berlin, China, German, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, EU, Franco, Italian, Russia, Brussels, Beijing
"Macron and Scholz are simply very different personalities," Anton Hofreiter, chair of the German parliament's Committee on European Union Affairs and member of the Greens. "Ultimately the point of bilateral relations is to overcome differences- that is the core of the EU," a French cabinet member said, on condition of anonymity. The informal team-building exercise is in keeping with the German tradition of holding cabinet "Klausur" or retreats. The stakes are high, said Detlef Seif, a leading German Christian Democratic Union lawmaker on EU affairs. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Additional Reporting by Michel Rose in Paris; Editing by Ros Russell)
Persons: Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke BERLIN, Jacob Ross, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Olaf Scholz, Macron, Scholz, Anton Hofreiter, Detlef Seif, Andreas Rinke, Michel Rose, Ros Russell Organizations: German, Foreign Relations, European Union Affairs, Greens, German Christian Democratic Union, EU, Reuters Locations: France, Hamburg, Europe, Ukraine, China, Brussels, Russian, Berlin, United States, Germany, German, Paris
Both states are led by the country's main opposition Union bloc, made up of the Christian Democratic Union and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union. In Hesse, they give the CDU a double-digit lead in a three-way contest for the governor's office among the conservative party, Scholz's center-left Social Democrats and the environmentalist Greens. Scholz’s government also faces intense pressure to reduce the number of migrants arriving, a major issue in the run-up to the elections. Green challenger Tarek Al-Wazir, currently the deputy governor to conservative incumbent Boris Rhein, also faces an uphill struggle. Soeder is widely considered a potential candidate to challenge Scholz in 2025, although he has denied such ambitions.
Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Scholz, won’t, , Karl, Rudolf Korte, Nancy Faeser, Tarek Al, Wazir, Boris Rhein, Markus Soeder, Soeder, Hubert Aiwanger, Aiwanger — Organizations: BERLIN, Sunday, Union, Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union, CSU, CDU, Social Democrats, environmentalist Greens, Germany, Greens, Free, Welt, Sonntag, ” Voters, Free Democrats, Free Voters Locations: Bavaria, Hesse, Frankfurt, Scholz's
Both states are led by the country's main opposition Union bloc, made up of the Christian Democratic Union and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union. In Hesse, they give the CDU a double-digit lead in a three-way contest for the governor's office among the conservative party, Scholz's center-left Social Democrats and the environmentalist Greens. Scholz's government also faces intense pressure to reduce the number of migrants arriving, a major issue in the run-up to the elections. Green challenger Tarek Al-Wazir, currently the deputy governor to conservative incumbent Boris Rhein, also faces an uphill struggle. In Bavaria, governor Markus Soeder is calling for voters to back "continuity and stability."
Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Scholz, , Karl, Rudolf Korte, Nancy Faeser, Tarek Al, Wazir, Boris Rhein, Markus Soeder, Soeder, Hubert Aiwanger, Aiwanger — Organizations: Sunday, Union, Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union, CSU, CDU, Social Democrats, environmentalist Greens, Germany, Greens, Free, Welt, Sonntag, Voters, Free Democrats, Free Voters Locations: Bavaria, Hesse, Frankfurt, Scholz's
CNN —The German states of Bavaria and Hesse vote in regional elections on Sunday, in what is widely being seen as a test-case for Germany’s shifting political landscape. In Hesse – home to Frankfurt, Germany’s financial hub – dissatisfaction with Germany’s federal government threatens to deliver a blow to Scholz’s coalition. German flags are carried at an AfD election campaign event. Bavarian Premier Söder chose not to dismiss Aiwanger following the allegations, amid calls from across Germany’s political spectrum for the economy minister’s resignation. Hesse, which was formerly a stronghold for the SPD, is currently governed by the CDU in coalition with the Greens.
Persons: Hesse –, Martin Schutt, shockwaves, of Bavaria, Markus Söder, Angela Merkel, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Charlotte Knoblauch, Katrin, Ebner Steiner, AfD’s, ” Steiner, , Hubert Aiwanger, Aiwanger, ” Hubert Aiwanger, Sven Hoppe, Söder, Thomas Kreuzer, Chancellor Scholz’s, Nancy Faeser, Kreuzer, , ” Kreuzer, Faese, Faeser, Der Organizations: CNN, Social Democratic Party, SPD, Free Democratic Party, Greens, Scholz’s SPD, Bavaria, Christian Social Union, CSU, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, Free Voters, Getty, INSA, New, Central Council of, Germany’s Süddeutesche Zeitung, Zeitung, FW, Bavarian, Greens . Center, , Der Spiegel, Interior Ministry Locations: Bavaria, Hesse, Germany, , Frankfurt, Germany’s, AFP, Saxony, Bavarian, Munich, , Germany’s Süddeutesche
Photo: Arne Dedert/dpa (Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)Germany's conservative opposition was slated to win two state elections while the far-right gained ground on Sunday, exit polls showed, halfway into the government of social democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two states were led by the main opposition Union alliance that reunites the Christian Social Union party and the Christian Democratic Union. In Hesse, theBoris Rhein's CDU had led as part of a coalition with the Greens — and was set to win 35.5% of votes, exit polls showed. Here, too, AfD strengthened its presence, from 13.1% of votes previously to 16% on Sunday. The ruling Social Democratic Party is expected to gain 16% in Hesse and 8.5% in Bavaria.
Persons: Arne Dedert, Olaf Scholz, , theBoris Rhein's, Friedrich Merz, Hesse, Robert Lambrou Organizations: Getty, Union, Christian Social Union, Christian Democratic Union, ARD, CSU —, Free, Greens, Google, Social Democratic Party, CNBC Locations: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, Bavaria, Munich
[1/4] Hesse State Premier Boris Rhein of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party gestures after the first exit polls for the Hesse state elections were published, in Wiesbaden, Germany, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Germany's opposition conservatives were on track to win state elections in Hesse and Bavaria on Sunday, according to exit polls by state broadcaster ARD, highlighting discontent with the Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left federal government. In Hesse, the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) looked set to take 35.5% of the vote compared to 16% for Scholz's Social Democrats, dealing a personal blow to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser who ran as the SPD's lead candidate in the state. The SPD, which is traditionally weak in Bavaria, trailed with 8.5% of the vote. Meanwhile the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made gains, rising to 16% in Hesse and 15% in Bavaria compared to 13.1% and 11.6% respectively in 2018.
Persons: Hesse State Premier Boris Rhein, Kai Pfaffenbach, Olaf Scholz's, Nancy Faeser, CDU's, Sarah Marsh, Thomas Escritt Organizations: Hesse State Premier, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, REUTERS, Rights, ARD, Christian Democrats, Scholz's Social Democrats, Christian Social Union, CSU, Free Voters, SPD, Greens, Free Democrats, Thomson Locations: Hesse, Wiesbaden, Germany, Bavaria
[1/2] Police detain suspects as they patrol along the German-Polish border to prevent illegal migration near Klinge, Germany, September 20, 2023. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser urged Germany's 16 states on Wednesday to provide asylum seekers with material benefits rather than cash, to reduce the country's pull factor. Migration analysts say much of the tougher stance is electioneering ahead of elections in Hesse and Bavaria on Sunday and in three eastern German states next year. Vorlaender noted that even if tougher controls worked, Germany risked creating a bigger problem for transit countries by bottling in migrants there. Germany's tougher stance on migration isn't so much a policy reversal as an evolution, said Susan Fratzke at the Migration Policy Institute.
Persons: Lisi Niesner, Nancy Faeser, Germany's, Olaf Scholz, Angela Merkel, Scholz, Russia's, Hannes Schammann, SHAM, Merkel, Friedrich Merz, , ” Merz, Merz, Alberto ‑ Horst Neidhardt, Hans Vorlaender, Vorlaender, Ludovit, Susan Fratzke, Schammann, Sarah Marsh, Riham, Jan Lopatka, Alan Charlish, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Police, REUTERS, Authorities, EU, EU's Agency for Asylum, University of Hildesheim, Christian Democratic Union, European, Faeser, Migration Policy Institute, Berlin, Thomson Locations: Klinge, Germany, Berlin, BERLIN, Hesse, Bavaria, Europe, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Ankara, Prague, Warsaw
The AFD party leadership (front row) holds a banner reading OUR LAND FIRST! during a protest against the rising cost of living in a demonstration organized by the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party on October 8, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. The Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), formerly led by chancellor of 16 years, Angela Merkel, currently polls the highest. "First of all you need a political will to stop it and we don't see this will among the other parties. "There is a backlash clearly … The population is now moving to the right," Sinn said, referring to the popularity of the AfD.
Persons: Omer Messinger, Angela Merkel, Robert Lambrou, Lambrou, CNBC's Annette Weisbach, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Manfred Knof, Hans, Werner Sinn, Sinn Organizations: Getty, Social Democrats, Greens, Free Democrats, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, CNBC, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Handelsblatt Locations: Germany, Berlin, Hesse, Frankfurt, Bavaria, Munich, Sonneberg, Thuringia, Europe
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