Michaelis describes Trump’s vision as one focused on the “maximum concentration of power with the president at the expense of Congress and the [U.S.] states.” According to the document, key democratic institutions, including the legislature, law enforcement and the media, risk an erosion of their independence and could be “misused as a political arm.” The … Read more
BERLIN — Germany wants to fight back against a surge in suspicious drone activity over critical infrastructure and military sites in the country by allowing its military to shoot down the unmanned aircraft. The federal Cabinet approved a draft law on Wednesday that will allow Germany’s armed forces, or Bundeswehr, to fire at drones over sensitive … Read more
Delegates are also poised to give final approval to the AfD’s campaign manifesto. The draft version of the text advocates tougher immigration policies and Germany’s exit from the euro. The AfD is currently polling in second place, with around 20 percent of voters projected to back the policy. Weidel this week received the endorsement of … Read more
Even though Georgescu’s win — on 23 percent — sparked the panic that ultimately led to the annulment of the vote, he still appears very much in contention for the rerun. Much will now depend on whether he is disqualified by the Constitutional Court because of accusations of undeclared funding. His continued, and possibly even … Read more
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the longtime face of the far right in France notorious for his hate speech and Holocaust denial convictions, has died, his family told French newswire AFP. He was 96 years old. Le Pen had an extraordinary life and career — as a soldier, a far-right parliamentarian, a small publisher of military music and erotic … Read more
Musk’s endorsements of Trump have prompted a major backlash in Germany, with mainstream political leaders arguing they amount to election interference. Given Musk’s ties to United States President-elect Donald Trump, one opponent suggested that interference may be coming from the incoming American administration. The German government must clarify “whether the repeated disrespect, defamation and interference … Read more
And, no doubt, he’s now hoping history repeats itself. Hence, Merz is trying to curb his instincts and not snap at critics, not make any unguarded remarks. But the risk of him getting into trouble while pressing the flesh with voters is not insignificant. This is critical because while Merz dreams of an outright majority, … Read more
The endorsement sparked a firestorm in Germany, with the government and politicians across the spectrum accusing Musk of attempting to influence the outcome of the February election. “Musk is strengthening those who are weakening Europe,” Germany’s vice chancellor and economy minister, Robert Habeck, also said in his New Year’s address. Musk has launched a series … Read more
At the other end of Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Ukrainians chalked up some successes in 2024, becoming a dominant force in the Black Sea despite the country’s tiny navy, and mounting a counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk region in August. But they are ending this year on the back foot, having lost many of … Read more
Salome Zourabichvili’s term in office ends on Sunday — but Georgia’s pro-Western president says she’s not going anywhere. Zourabichvili on Saturday joined thousands of people across the country forming human chains to protest against the installation of a new president — far-right firebrand and former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili — set to take place Sunday. Speaking … Read more
