Események

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has banned a group known as the "Kingdom of Germany," associated with the far-right Reich Citizens movement, with police carrying out raids at properties of key members across seven German states

The US have approved a transfer of 125 HIMARS missiles and 100 Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The missiles have been part of German inventories, but needed approval from Washington. They are already on their way to Ukraine. Source: NYT

German Foreign Ministry: Ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan is "an important first step towards ending the spiral of escalation."

Foreign Minister of Ukraine: Following the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Kyiv, all five leaders @ZelenskyyUa @EmmanuelMacron @bundeskanzler @donaldtusk @Keir_Starmer had a fruitful call with @POTUS focused on peace efforts. Ukraine and all allies are ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting already on Monday. If Russia agrees and effective monitoring is ensured, a durable ceasefire and confidence-building measures can pave the way to peace negotiations.

President Macron, PM Starmer, PM Tusk and Chancellor Merz have arrived in Kyiv

Germany's Merz: I think the attitude of the US government has changed positively towards European allies since my election

Merz and Trump spoke on the phone for the first time. German readout says both "agreed": - "close cooperation with the aim of ending the war in Ukraine." - "Russia must agree to a truce" - "want to end the trade disagreements swiftly." - "close cooperation" and visits soon

Germany’s domestic spy agency has paused the “extremist” label for the AfD party after a legal challenge by the AfD, Cologne court says

Macron: We will establish a Franco-German Defense and Security Council

Germany's new chancellor calls on the Trump administration to "stay out of interference" in his country's domestic politics.

Merz just appointed Chancellor by Steinmeier

Merz elected German Chancellor in second round of voting

German airline Lufthansa suspends flights to and from Tel Aviv until May 6

Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution: AfD is proven to be right-wing extremist

Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting, calls for renewed national confidence and unity as he promotes his centre-right party's programme ahead of the launch of his government

Ukrainian delegation, including of head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha‎ met with their counterparts from UK, France and Germany at the meeting on security in Paris

The Radio Electronic Warfare Coalition to support Ukraine was created at Ramstein. Coalition of 10 countries will be headed by Germany

Germany's Incoming Chancellor Merz: We should have 0% tariffs on all transatlantic trade, then the problem is solved

OSW: The inauguration of the new chancellor is planned for May 7, so that Friedrich Merz can participate in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II as head of government

Germany's Merz: New government should stand in the week after April 28

Friedrich Merz just presented core elements of coalition agreement. Tax cuts, tough on migration, rejections at the border, rollback of citizenship after 3 years back to 5 years but fast track migration to Germany for highly skilled workers

Action against "fake news": The wording from the exploratory paper remains unchanged. "The deliberate dissemination of false factual claims is not covered by freedom of expression," the coalition agreement states.

The National Security Council and the National Situation Center (for direct crisis management) will be established, BOTH in the Chancellery,- the coalition agreement, page 126:

The CDU/CSU-SPD coalition has apparently agreed on a change to citizenship law. The earliest naturalization possible is after five years, instead of the three years introduced by the "Ampel" coalition (assuming good integration).

AFP quoting the German Foreign Minister: Netanyahu's visit to Hungary is a bad day for international law

German Economy Minister: Trump will succumb to pressure if Europe unites on tariffs

President Zelenskyy met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv

LAUNCH and FAILURE of the first ISAR Aerospace Spectrum from Andoya at 1030 UT Mar 30, with loss of control at T+30s

Merz: Germany must be ready to assume leadership responsibility in the European Union again. Jointly representing Europe's interests is more than the sum of its parts. We could do much more in this regard. (FM)

The German upper house of parliament passes a constitutional amendment clearing the way for a multibillion-euro financial package for defence, infrastructure and climate protection measures