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News from Berlin and Germany, 8th October 2025

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


08/10/2025

NEWS FROM BERLIN

All musicians cancel appearances on Böhmermann’s HKW show

All concerts planned as part of the Jan Böhmermann exhibition “Die Möglichkeit der Unvernunft” (The Possibility of Irrationality) at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) have been canceled by the artists. This comes after independent Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer accused rapper Chefket of having antisemitic views based on a shirt the rapper wears in videos on Instagram. The shirt shows the outline of a stylized map of the Middle East, depicting Palestine but not Israel. Böhmermann canceled Chefket’s concert due to public pressure. Weimer is highly controversial in the cultural scene. In 2025 a petition was launched against his appointment as Minister of State for Culture, which gathered over 70,000 signatures—partly out of concern that he would not stand for an open and critical cultural landscape. Source: rbb

Thousands demonstrate in Berlin against armament and war

On October 3, several thousand people demonstrated at Bebelplatz in Berlin against armament and war. They responded to a call from various peace initiatives and organizations, which also called for a similar demonstration in Stuttgart at the same time. The police reported around 7,500 demonstrators, while the organizers spoke of 20,000. In a statement, the organizers said that “arms buildup” in Germany was leading to massive debt, drastic social cuts, and the militarization of society. “This is particularly at the expense of children and young people, the elderly and the sick, as well as working people.” Source: bz

Protest at CDU headquarters

A protest by the “New Generation” group at the CDU headquarters in Berlin on October 6 was stopped by the police. Several demonstrators stuck at least one poster to the building near the Tiergarten, and some also managed to get inside. They also wanted to distribute symbolic banknotes. The police quickly arrived on the scene with a large contingent and temporarily detained some of the demonstrators. The group “Neue Generation” (New Generation) announced that, under the slogan “the climate glue is back,” they wanted to block doors and entrances with superglue and expose “mafia-like power networks.” Source: rbb                 

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Middle East experts call on German government to change its policy on Israel

Given the war in the Gaza Strip and the catastrophic humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population there, a group of Middle East experts has called for a fundamental reorientation of German policy on Israel. They point out that Germany’s historical responsibility should not result in unrestricted support for the Israeli government: the guideline of “reason of state” has “placed support for the Israeli government above Germany’s legal and moral obligations.” The more than 100 signatories to the position paper include former EU Foreign Affairs Representative Josep Borrell and former Israeli Parliament President Avraham Burg. Source: msn

“Or we start to fight back”

In the “Report from Berlin”, Bavarian Minister-President Söder (CSU) advocates quickly creating the conditions for shooting drones down. In recent weeks, numerous drone sightings in Europe have caused unrest. Most recently, operations at Munich Airport were temporarily suspended as a result. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has now announced the creation of a joint drone defense center. A legal basis for the German Armed Forces’ involvement will also be created, a particularly controversial issue. Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) warns: “Drone defense is a core security policy task.” Source: tagesschau

Palantir software for the police: is there any alternative?

In Baden-Württemberg, the police are to be given a software that allows them to quickly search for information from various databases. Last March, the CDU-led Ministry of the Interior chose Palantir’s “Gotham” – initially without the approval of its Green coalition partner. The state is paying around 25 million euros for a five-year contract with Palantir, based on the framework agreement that the state of Bavaria concluded with the company after a Europe-wide tender. The two major police unions in the state agree: the police need a program like this. However, Robert Simmeth, the managing director at the software company SAS, believes that “there are definitely alternatives to this decision.” Source: swr

“Voluntary service alone is not sufficient”

In the talk show Caren Miosga, on October 5, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) formulated a clear expectation regarding the current debate on military service. He believes that, in the long run, the Federal Republic will not be able to avoid a return to universal conscription. Merz fundamentally supported the voluntary model planned by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). “We want to try to achieve this with the SPD on a voluntary basis for now. I am skeptical. If we succeed, so much the better.” He also commented on the issue of drone sightings, speaking out in favor of the rapid development of a drone defense system. Source: bz

Israel allegedly attacked activists with German submarine

According to CBS News, the drone attacks on ships in the international Gaza flotilla in early September originated from an Israeli submarine, which could be one of the six Israeli Dolphin-class submarines built in Germany. At that time, the activists were anchored in the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said. Organized by the Global Sumud Initiative, around 400 people wanted to break through Israel’s blockade and deliver aid supplies. The drones, which allegedly launched from a submarine, dropped incendiary devices on two ships of the flotilla. No one was injured. However, if such acts were indeed carried out by an external actor, this constitutes a clear violation of Tunisian sovereignty. Source: nd

Europe is preparing for war

Why anti-militarist ideals are more relevant than ever


04/10/2025

A crowd of soldiers stand in formation. A German flag flies overhead.

Fortress Europe is gearing up

In March, a bizarre video of Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management went viral. In it, she shares the contents of her bag—filled with items needed to survive a crisis such as a lighter, a swiss army knife and canned food. The tone of the clip is whimsical, more like a Tik-Tok unboxing video than a warning about a future conflict.

In a similar, albeit slightly less cringey way, Sweden has distributed a brochure to help its citizens prepare for war and other emergencies. Finland and Norway have also issued crisis preparedness guides for their populations.

But it’s not just booklets and fun little comedy skits.

On July 18, 2025, the French Ministry of Health sent a letter to regional health agencies instructing hospitals to prepare for a potential major conflict by March 2026. In parallel, France will revamp the program of its “Defence and Citizenship Day” to include laser-tag exercises and training for military operations using virtual reality. 

Poland has introduced mandatory firearms training for schoolchildren as young as 14, while Lithuania and Estonia are adding new programs that aim to teach children how to build and operate drones.

This is in line with the European Union’s initiative to establish a “drone wall” at its eastern borders.

An initiative proposed by Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, aims to mobilize up to €800 billion to strengthen Europe’s defence infrastructure. Interestingly, this initiative was called ReArm Europe before being rebranded as the less martial-sounding Readiness 2030.

Germany wants to be the strongest

In Germany as well, preparations are en marche. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to make the Bundeswehr the “strongest conventional army in Europe.” In 2024, Germany’s military expenditure rose by 28 per cent to €77.6 billion, making it the world’s fourth-largest military spender. Military spending is planned to reach at least €152 billion by 2029.

Germany’s government has drafted a new military service law that should be implemented in 2026. Conscription will initially be voluntary. Crucially, however, it could become mandatory if needed: if too few people volunteer in a time of crisis, compulsory service could be reactivated—with simple parliamentary approval.

In recent months, high-ranking Bundeswehr officers have been visiting mayors and district administrators across Germany. Municipalities are being asked to prepare for the possibility of war by identifying key infrastructure such as bridges or emergency wells and planning for sabotage and attacks. Preparations also include restoring civil-protection facilities and bunkers as well as establishing evacuation plans. Some municipalities have already created secret committees to approve emergency administrative measures—though members of these committees report that they often lack the expertise required for the decisions they may be called upon to make.

Recently, a large-scale military exercise called “Red Storm Bravo” was held in Hamburg. The scenario simulated a Russian attack on the Baltic states, with NATO troops being transported via Hamburg’s port and infrastructure. The Bundeswehr also used mock demonstrators to train for the suppression of civilian protests against militarization.

All this takes place against the background of the so-called “Operation Deutschland” (OPLAN DEU). This Bundeswehr plan envisions Germany as a logistical hub for NATO operations in Europe and along its borders. In practice, this means facilitating the transport of NATO soldiers and military resources to Europe’s eastern borders, as well as the repatriation of troops and the wounded. Saxony and Thuringia, especially, will play a large role in this new war-ready Germany. 

Climate activists are already warning that these war preparations could be exploited as an argument to push through unnecessary infrastructure projects, such as the A20, a highly controversial new highway in northern Germany.

The mood is setting in

As Victor Klemperer’s writings have shown, the Nazis didn’t just use violence and coercion to affirm their grip on power; they also reshaped everyday language to control thought. 

“Words can be like tiny doses of arsenic: they are swallowed unnoticed, appear to have no effect, and then after a little time the toxic reaction sets in after all.”

Victor Klemperer, Language of the Third Reich

In Germany a new word seems to be on every lips: “Kriegstüchtigkeit”—which can be roughly translated to “war-readiness.” 

As always, this is more than just a word – its repeated use by politicians and the media is a form of propagandist poison. War is not just a single event to prepare for, it is an ongoing situation that requires the cooperation of a whole society. For war to happen, people must be ready to fight, while others must cheer for the soldiers—or at the very least look away. It requires a profound change in culture. This is especially true in Germany, where the post WW2 mindset has been characterized by a deep mistrust of militarism. 

Here’s another word that German politicians and media like to throw around: “Zeitenwende.” This “change of time”—from anti-miltiarism to militarism—is something the state cannot do alone. It first needs to convince its citizens that preparation for war is necessary; that anything else would be foolish. 

Even if only 20% of Germans say they would be ready to fight for their country, the idea that war is coming has already been normalized. Forty-one percent fear the outbreak of a third world war. Not everyone may be on board yet, but the subject is firmly on people’s minds—and repeated use of keywords like “Kriegstüchtigkeit” is often enough to make a partisan idea feel like a hard reality to be addressed.

Anti-militarism: now more than ever

In a time of perceived permacrisis, with a war-hardened Russia at our doorsteps, the rearmament of Europe might seem like a necessary step. But is it really the only option?

Anti-militarism has always had something of a bad reputation. It is seen as a naïve position to which leftists retreat out of tradition, not facing the realities of the world. Yet it is exactly when states threaten war, that anti-militarism is most relevant.  

Of course, it’s easier to advocate for anti-militarism sitting at a desk in Berlin than out of Kiev, Riga, or Warsaw. But arguing that we need more weapons to protect ourselves against war is like arguing that the population of the US needs more guns to defend itself against school shooters. Capitalism and nation states have failed to build the world of peace and diplomacy we were promised. We should not believe that they will fix the mess they created by arming themselves once again. 

Anti-militarism is not a single ideology, but a complex gradient of ideas. Anti-militarism doesn’t mean pacifism (which is itself a complex set of ideas). It doesn’t mean lying down and playing dead. It doesn’t necessarily mean non-violence at all costs, a position that has been criticised as a privilege of the white middle class. Some anti-militarists do support specific forms of violence—such as violent protest against state infrastructure or revolution against oppression.  

Now more than ever, it’s important to remind ourselves that anti-militarism is a valid, effective and powerful position. Here’s a few key points that might help us remember why:

1 – War doesn’t work

Wars almost never end with a decisive victory—they drag along, destroying whole countries and the lives of countless people, leaving a trail of destruction and trauma that reverberates for generations, often without achieving their declared objectives. 

A 2011 study surveyed 323 cases of violent and non-violent resistances and found that nonviolent resistance succeeds twice more often than violent resistance.

Additionally, the assumption that once war breaks out, diplomacy is no longer effective, is wrong. Analysis of wars in recent decades shows that only two out of ten interstate wars end in victory and defeat. Three out of ten peter out or simmer along without a clear outcome. 

Meanwhile, 1 out of every 2 wars is ended through negotiations.

2 – War corrupts societies

Preparing for war always requires a deep transformation of society. It is not just the production of weapons, but also the production of a war mindset—the othering of an imagined enemy—and the acceleration of hierarchical state-building. States at war are more likely to infringe on human rights by implementing authoritarian policies justified by a state of emergency.

Every cent spent for war is a cent not spent on public health, education, or culture. Instead, it inflates the power of the military-industrial complex. As noted by Alexandre Christoyannopoulos, a researcher on pacifism and nonviolence:  “war economies become entrenched, generating their own self-reinforcing dynamics through well-oiled lobbying operations, revolving doors between the defence industry and policy-makers, funded collaborations with research institutes and universities, an appetite for cultural productions (such as films and series) shaped and censored by the defence establishment, and so on.” 

According to Özlem Demirel, a representative of Die Linke at the European Parliament : “Under the guise of budgetary efficiency, we are currently witnessing an escalation of militarism. Each new joint structure serves as a pretext for additional investment, creating a spiral of expenditure that benefits only the military-industrial consortia. The supposed promised savings will turn out to be enormous costs for European taxpayers in the form of social cuts.”

3 – War leads to more war

More investment in military capabilities, even with the goal of “deterrence” poses serious risks. Chief among them are the dangers of a perpetual arms race and of escalation or miscalculation. This is especially worrying in the context of a potential war between nuclear powers, where a single miscalculation could lead to a world-ending conflict.

Moreover, the weapons built in Europe will not stay in Europe. Germany is the world’s fifth-largest arms exporter. German weapons, produced by the same companies that armed the Nazis, are found in many conflict zones around the globe, from Palestine to Yemen. 

More weapons will always make the world a more dangerous place. 

4 – War is avoidable

It is wrong to assume that individuals cannot influence foreign or peace policy. Peace policy can be shaped by public opinion, pressure groups, and social movements. This is especially true in Germany where the culture of anti-militarism has been strong since WW2. 

An anti-militarism movement here doesn’t have to deconstruct an entrenched militarist mindset; it merely has to oppose the establishment of one and reaffirm to Germans why militarism is the wrong path.

Of course, there’s an argument to be made that what German society has long believed about itself is little more than smoke and mirrors. After all, this is the country that loudly vowed “never again” after the Holocaust, yet remains a staunch ally of Israel’s genocidal government. Still, compared to a country like France, Germany’s military since WWII has been weaker, less involved in military operations abroad, doesn’t possess nuclear weapons and, most importantly, is less embedded in the German national identity. Here, more than in France, there remains a greater potential for resistance: the chance to say no before it is too late.

What to do?

If you want a good place to start, you can join this protest.

You can also support the Rheinmetall Entwaffnen initiative. For more upcoming protests, this online map lists places of arms production in Germany as well as planned protests against militarisation.

News from Berlin and Germany, 1st October 2025

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


01/10/2025

NEWS FROM BERLIN

100,000 on the streets for “All eyes on Gaza

“All eyes on Gaza,” co-organized by ‘medico international’, had more than 100,000 people, according to the ‘Die Linke’. Tsafrir Cohen, from medico, that even if actors such as the SPD, CDU, or Greens were still missing, the time when a “loud silence” was considered protest is over. The demonstration began at 4 p.m. Through the crowds, one could hear German, Arabic, English, Spanish. It was a multicultural event. There also were many testimonies such as from the German-Palestinian engineer Iman Abu Qomsan, who talked about her more than 80 relatives killed in Gaza. Source: taz

Union battles Lieferando

On 26 September, around 150 people, among workers and supporters, protested in front of Lieferando headquarters in Kreuzberg against the food delivery service plans to outsource more and more delivery couriers who were previously permanently employed to subcontractors (known as “fleet partners”). Labor laws are being systematically violated, according to the self-organized workers’ collective Lieferando Workers Collective. When asked by ‘taz’, Lieferando denied tolerating illegal business practices. “All fleet partners on our marketplace are instructed to use only employed drivers for Lieferando orders,” said a company spokesperson. However, given the conditions in the delivery industry, calls for effective regulation are growing louder. Source: taz

Arrest following cyberattack on airports – further problems at BER

A suspect has been arrested in England in connection with disruptions at Berlin, Brussels, and London Heathrow airports following a cyberattack. The man is suspected of computer misuse, as the British National Crime Agency announced. He was later released on bail. “Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is still in its early stages and ongoing,” said Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s cybercrime unit. In Berlin, as an airport spokesperson told ‘rbb’, it will take several more days before the check-in, boarding, and baggage handling systems are up and running again. Source: rbb

AfD must vacate federal headquarters

The Berlin Regional Court has ruled that the AfD must vacate earlier its federal headquarters in Wittenau. Thelandlord terminated the contract with the party after it held an election party in the courtyard of the building following the federal elections in February. When the party refused to move out, the landlord filed an eviction suit. The court has now ruled that the AfD must vacate the premises on different dates (the party had 3 leases with different expiration dates), by December 31, 2026. The regional court ruled that the AfD had violated the terms of the lease by holding the election party. Source: berliner Zeitung

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Trade unionist at DHL suspended for anti-militarism

“My name is Christopher, I’ve just come off the night shift.” With these words, Christopher T. addressed participants in a “March to Airport” protest against militarization at Halle-Leipzig Airport and against arms deliveries to Israel on August 23. Because he took part, T is now in trouble with his company, the logistics group DHL. He has been barred from entering the premises and has had his wages cut by around a quarter once he is no longer receiving the night shift allowance. T intends to take legal action against his dismissal. He did not attack DHL, only objected to this work serving the war effort. Source: nd-aktuell

Police investigate in Bremen arson at mosque

There have been several fires in the backyard of an ATIB (Union of Turkish-Islamic Cultural Associations in Europe) mosque in Bremen over recent days. The police confirmed three small fires. Last week, a wooden chair wasfound burning, followed shortly thereafter by a trash can. Finally, on 17 September, a garbage can also went up in flames. Since the mosque belongs to the ATIB, the state security service has also been involved in the investigation. It is not yet clear whether there was a racist motive. No one was injured in the fires. The police are asking the public for information. Source: islamiq

AfD – the “loser of the run-off elections”

For the CDU and SPD, the run-offelections for top municipal posts in North Rhine-Westphalia were mixed. Nevertheless, both parties were relieved – especially about the poor performance of the AfD. Despite the loss of Dortmund, known as the “heartland” of the SPD, the party has won back Cologne, the largest city in the state. Political scientist Oliver Lembcke (Ruhr University Bochum) also considers the satisfaction of the CDU and SPD to be justified. After the success of the AfD two weeks ago in the first round of voting with a result of 14.5%, the party is now “the loser of the runoff elections,” Lembcke emphasized. Source: tagesschau

News from Berlin and Germany, 24th September 2025

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


24/09/2025

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Price of Berlin social ticket to rise to €27.50 from January

Berlin’s Social Affairs Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) plans to increase the price of the social ticket. From January 2026, it will cost 27.50 euros. The administration justified the move with the tight budget situation, although they mention they would have liked to have kept the current price. Within the coalition, even higher prices for the social ticket had been under discussion. Die Linke’s faction in the House of Representatives described the price increase as a social policy scandal: “neither Christian nor social.” The current coalition in Berlin is thus promoting social division in Berlin. Source: rbb

Nazi messages and slogans in the Charlottenburg youth fire department

Junior members of the Berlin Fire Department in Charlottenburg have come under scrutiny after an internal investigation revealed extremist material circulating among them. The findings include Nazi messages and slogans, images of Adolf Hitler, dehumanising remarks, and repeated use of the N-word. The Berlin Youth Fire Department is among Berlin’s largest youth organisations, with more than 1,000 members aged between 8 and 19. Authorities were alerted after a parent raised concerns, and a spokesperson for the organisation affirmed: “The allegations and the secured materials are currently being thoroughly reviewed by the Extremism Officer and the Human Resources department.” Source: the berliner

Problems at BER not yet solved

The situation at BER Airport has calmed down after a cyberattack, but the IT problems have not yet been resolved. The airport’s check-in systems continue to be affected on 23 September. However, as a spokesperson told rbb, things are much calmer than the day before. On Monday there were many delays and long queues due to a wave of passengers returning from the Berlin Marathon. The spokesperson could not say how long the problems would continue. All available personnel, including the airport fire brigade, were working to sort the suitcases. Source: rbb

NEWS FROM GERMANY

How Europe maneuvers its youth for the military

After the drone incidents in Poland and Romania, the alert level in Europe has risen. This is also bringing about changes for the young population: while the new military service is being discussed in Germany, other European countries are focusing earlier and more broadly on military training for young people. In Poland, for instance, military training is now part of the curriculum. The Czech Republic army has organised voluntary military exercises for young people during the summer vacations for the first time in 2025. The offer was aimed at secondary school students of legal age. Source: bluewin

Is Deutsche Bahn cheating on punctuality?

In an internal communication dated 16 September, which the magazine Der Spiegel had access to, the following was stated about the severely delayed ICE 616 from Munich to Hamburg, which ended prematurely in Cologne: “train cancelled from Cologne to improve statistics.” A similar reason was given for a train cancellation on 11 September. The Deutsche Bahn strongly rejected the accusations of manipulating figures. The internal wording used by an employee was “incorrect”. Whether the allegations about punctuality statistics are true or not, they highlight the conflict between the common good and economic efficiency. Source: zdf

Will a new DB boss help it to emerge from its ongoing crisis?

Delays which often last several hours. Cancelled trains. Add that to that dirty stations, broken signal boxes and ongoing construction sites. Deutsche Bahn (DB) has been in deep crisis for years. Now everything is set to improve—with a new boss and a realistic timetable. Patrick Schnieder (CDU), Transport Minister in the cabinet of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), introduced the new CEO Evelyn Palla in Berlin on 22 September. Minister Schnieder promised that the new railway management will stick to its plan to completely renovate around 40 important lines by 2036.  This was already planned by the previous management. Source: dw

The hesitation from Germany

Even after other Western countries (such as the United Kingdom and Canada) have recognised Palestine as a state, Germany refuses to take such a step. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) affirmed that for Germany the recognition of a Palestinian state is more likely to come at the end of the process towards a two-state solution. The recognition of Palestine as a state is also not part of the list of demands of various organisations calling for a rally in Berlin on 27 September under the slogan “All eyes on Gaza—Stop the genocide!” Source: taz

News from Berlin and Germany, 17th September 2025

Weekly news round-up from Berlin and Germany


17/09/2025

NEWS FROM BERLIN

Spranger concerned about rise in knife violence

Berlin’s Senator for the Interior, Iris Spranger (SPD), is concerned about the increase in knife violence in the city. Recently, a 20-year-old man died from stab wounds following a violent altercation between two groups on 12 September at the Humboldt Forum. On the same day, a man in Reinickendorf was attacked with a knife, losing one eye. “The rise in violent crimes involving knives is worrying,” the politician told the German Press Agency on 15 September. According to her, such rise shows how important the measures she has initiated to combat knife violence are such as a knife ban on buses and trains in effect since July. Source: rbb

Homelessness in Berlin expected to increase by 60% by 2029

The Berlin Senate estimates that there were just under 26,000 homeless people in Berlin in 2022, the year when the city started officially recording and estimating the number of people who are in homeless shelters, hostels or emergency accommodation. The statistics do not include the so-called “hidden homelessness”, such as people living on the street. In 2025, that figure has increased to 53,600, so far, and it is expected to grow to 85,600 by 2029. The last two federal coalitions promised that they would attempt to end homelessness. Source: iamexpat

Against war and double standards

Several thousand people took part in a rally on 13 September at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin under the slogans “Stop the genocide in Gaza!” and “Peace instead of an arms race!” The organizers spoke of 22,000 participants, while the police claimed to have counted 12,000. Among those who called for the peace rally were BSW co-chair Sahra Wagenknecht, actor Dieter Hallervorden, and musicians Peter Maffay and Massiv. The audience was quite diverse. In addition to many participants from the traditional peace movement, this time there were numerous predominantly younger people with a migrant background. The chant “Free Palestine” could be heard repeatedly. Source: jungewelt

NEWS FROM GERMANY

Christoph Heusgen: “Germany could be convicted of aiding and abetting genocide in Gaza”

The former UN ambassador and Merkel advisor Christoph Heusgen is calling for a change of Germany’s policy on Israel. He says in an interview the time has come to recognize Palestine as a state. He points out that “if our neighbour France, with whom we want to be on the same page in foreign policy, as well as our close partner Great Britain and, most recently, Belgium, express their intention to recognize Palestine, then Germany should also address this issue”. He also believes such decision would have an impact on Israel, considering that “Israel’s security is a matter of German national interest – and that should remain so”. Source: berliner Zeitung

More right-wing violence than previously thought

Right-wing violence in Germany has already officially reached an alarming high. Nevertheless, the known extent, with an increase of 17% to officially 1,500 violent crimes in 2024, only reflects part of the actual attacks. This is shown by a analysis by the Association of Counseling Centers for Victims of Right-wing, Racist, and Anti-Semitic Violence. According to the report, German authorities do not record right-wing violence completely. The counseling centers are therefore calling for regular case comparisons between investigative authorities and victim counseling centers. “The real extent of right-wing violence is far greater than has been recorded to date”, they say. Source: taz

AfD triple share of vote in NRW

The results of the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia suggest a stability that may yet prove deceptive. There was even a comforting feeling on election night. What a result! Almost a brief respite from nationwide polls: the CDU above 30%, the SPD above 20%, the AfD below 20%, the Greens comfortably in double digits… The West remains stable. Or does it? Not quite. The AfD tripled its share of the vote from the 2020 local elections. A growing number of people, even in the West, are turning away from the established parties and voting for the AfD. Source: n-tv

Heidi Reichinnek defends controversial post about Kirk

On Caren Miosga’s talk show, the faction leader Heidi Reichinnek (“die Linke”) justified her advisor’s controversial post, who had written “Oh no” next to a photo of the US activist Charlie Kirk on“X” – essentially saying, “Oh no, I don’t care.” Her colleague wanted to draw attention to a school massacre that had taken place at the same time and received little public attention. “It was cynical, but unfortunately fitting,” said Reichinnek. The post was deleted, and legal action is being taken against right-wing media reports on the matter. She remained adamant that it was possible to criticize Kirk and his ideology without expressing joy at his death. Source: berliner Zeitung