Latest news with #Frank-WalterSteinmeier
Qatar Tribune
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
German president backs compulsory military service amid defence push
BerlincTypeface:> German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken out in favour of introducing a new form of compulsory military service to boost the country's armed forces. Germany suspended conscription in 2011 but it remains enshrined in Germany's de facto constitution, the Basic Law, and can be reintroduced with a simple majority in parliament. A debate on conscription is now necessary, Steinmeier told the ZDF public broadcaster in an interview set to air on Sunday evening. 'I am in favour of compulsory military service,' the president reiterated. He justified his position with Europe's changing security situation, Russia's war in Ukraine and the US administration's attitude towards trans-Atlantic relations. (DPA)
DW
08-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Germany updates: Pistorius outlines plans for military draft – DW – 07/08/2025
A bill by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius foresees some military conscription in cases of need, German media reported. Follow DW for more. A bill to be put forward by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius would allow the Cabinet, with parliamentary agreement, to call up conscripts if a situation arises that requires a rapid boost to the country's armed forces, media have reported. The bill is being seen as a compromise between some conservatives' calls for the return of compulsory military service, which was suspended in Germany in 2011, and the opposition of many leftist lawmakers to such a move. The German government is planning to have a new military service scheme in place by 2026 in response to the changed security situation in Europe largely due to Russia's territorial aggression. Meanwhile, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is in Latvia for talks focusing on the security situation in the Baltic region, which would seem particularly under threat from Moscow's imperialist ambitions. A young German holidaymaker has died after falling from a hotel balcony on the Spanish island of Mallorca, officials confirmed Tuesday. The man, believed to be around 20, died of his injuries at Son Espases hospital in Palma, local media Cronica Balear reported. Police said witnesses reported the tourist may have been trying to jump into the hotel pool from the balcony, but the investigation is ongoing. His identity and hometown have not been officially released. Spanish media said he was partying with a large group of German tourists in Playa de Palma and returned to the hotel drunk with a friend in the early hours of Saturday. The friend said he heard a crash before others rushed to help. The man went into cardiac arrest but was resuscitated by emergency crews and later died in the hospital. So-called "balconing" — risky jumps from hotel balconies into pools or other rooms — has long been a problem on Mallorca, especially in the Magaluf area. Awareness campaigns have cut accidents there, but serious incidents still happen in Playa de Palma, where fatal falls were also reported last year. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video According to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the controls are temporary and aimed at stopping human trafficking and irregular migration. Germany has ramped up immigration controls along its borders, including with Poland, under the new conservative government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. For many EU observers in Brussels, the tit-for-tat measures reflect a deeper shift away from European solidarity and toward national self-interest. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Bundestag is debating the government's budget plans, which see record expenditure and record debt. The aim is to get the country back on its feet through massive Lufthansa Group has said it will gradually resume flights by its airlines to Tel Aviv in Israel starting on August 1. The aviation group canceled flights to Israel in early May after Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a missile at Israel that landed near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport. A company spokesman has confirmed the planned resumption of flights, already reported by Israeli media, while stating that the group would still closely monitor the security situation in the Middle East. The Lufthansa Group includes the airlines Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, ITA Airways, Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo. SWISS has decided to suspend flights to Tel Aviv until at least October 25, while Lufthansa's low-cost subsidiary Eurowings has also canceled Tel Aviv flights until the same date. While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing. German Green politician Robert Habeck has announced his intention of moving to Denmark to work, while saying he was also hoping to take up visiting professorships at universities outside Europe. Habeck, 55, who held the position of economy minister and vice chancellor in the previous three-way coalition government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, can speak Danish after spending some time studying in the Scandinavian country. He has said he would like to work at the Danish Institute for International Studies in Copenhagen. It is not clear whether he will retain his seat in the German parliament as the member for the northern constituency of Flensburg-Schleswig. Habeck was the Green Party's candidate for the chancellorship at February elections but withdrew from the party's leadership echelon after it received just 11.6% of the vote. From October, he is planning to host a series of discussions at the Berliner Ensemble theater under the title "Habeck live." A German court ruled on Tuesday that an Afghan family previously promised visas to enter Germany under a program for those at risk under the Taliban regime must be allowed to travel to the country. Berlin's administrative court said the family had been given a "legally binding" commitment that overrides the conservative-led government's decision earlier this year to stop the scheme. The ruling can be appealed by the Foreign Ministry. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Germany established various admission procedures for Afghan nationals considered as being in danger from the Islamist group, which is known to repress civil liberties — most notably, women's rights. According to the Foreign Ministry, as of June 20 about 2,400 Afghan nationals are waiting in Pakistan to receive a visa for Germany, including democracy advocates, judges, female journalists and artists. The admission schemes were canceled as the German government under conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz takes an increasingly hard line on migration in general. More on the court ruling view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Germany has accused the Chinese military of targeting a German aircraft with a laser as the aircraft took part in a EU security operation and summoned China's ambassador over the incident. "Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable," the Foreign Ministry wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. No further information was immediately available. The aircraft was involved in the EU's ASPIDES mission, which aims to help protect freedom of navigation and maritime security, especially for commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf region. Read the full story of the German aircraft laser targeting here. Prices for air passengers traveling from airports in Germany within Europe are continuing to rise, even those for budget airlines, according to an analysis by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The average cost now of a one-way tickets without luggage is between just under €67 ($78) and about €130, DLR said, as compared with average prices of between €66 and €110 a year ago. Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings is the most expensive provider, charging an average of €130 for a one-way flight, up from €110 last year. The analysis showed that advance planning is of advantage, with bookings made three months ahead costing in the range of €46 to €90, while those at short notice cost between €119 to €169. The factors driving the price increases are a continuing shortage of flights, high taxes and fees, according to the analysis. Altogether 59% of people living in Germany would like to see a ban on private fireworks similar to the one set to be introduced in the neighboring Netherlands, a survey released on Tuesday showed. The survey by the polling institute Forsa and commissioned by the magazine showed that women are more in favor of such a ban than men (67% to 51%) and that a small majority (51%) of young men from the 18-29 age group oppose one. Supporters of the far-left Left Party were the most likely to back a ban, with 86% in favor, while 60% of people who vote for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party were against it. The Netherlands will ban private individuals from setting off fireworks as of New Year 2026/2027. The prohibition came partly in response to increasing violence in the country associated with New Year's fireworks, including attacks on police officers, firefighters and emergency workers. A number of people are also injured or even killed each year while setting off fireworks. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is wrapping up a three-day trip to the Baltic region with talks in the Latvian capital, Riga. He is set to meet Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Prime Minister Evika Silina for discussions that are expected to center on the security situation in the region against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During his stay in Riga, Steinmeier is also due to visit the Braunschweig, a German corvette currently stationed in the city as it participates in the US-led Baltic Operations exercise. Latvia, a former Soviet republic, shares the fear of other Baltic states that it could become the target of Russia's expansionist policies under President Vladimir Putin. The country is a member of both the EU and NATO. On Sunday, Steinmeier was in Lithuania as the country celebrated its national day. Among other things, he visited the headquarters of the Armored Brigade 45 (Panzerbrigade 45) in the capital, Vilnius, which was activated in April of this year as the first German brigade-sized unit to be based abroad permanently since World War II. A draft bill devised by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius would allow the Cabinet and parliament to call up conscripts in certain security situations, media have reported. Such conscription could occur "when the defense situation requires it" and there are not enough volunteers, the news magazine said, citing the 50-page text of the bill. The bill also aims to make voluntary service more attractive, with volunteers receiving more than €2,000 ($2,350) a month as official short-service soldiers, said, an 80% increase over current pay rates. According to the magazine, Pistorius hopes this will encourage volunteers to stay on after the basic training has ended, as well as lead to a doubling of the number of reservists to 200,000. The bill does not stipulate how long basic training is to last, but rumor has it that a period of six months is under consideration, the said. Under new NATO guidelines, the German Bundeswehr would need altogether 460,000 troops in the case of a conflict. Currently, Germany has more than 182,000 active soldiers and more than 49,000 active reservists. Pistorius would like to see at least 60,000 more active soldiers and altogether 200,000 reservists. Many in Pistorius' Social Democratic Party (SPD), particularly its youth wing, oppose the reintroduction of compulsory military service that is advocated by a number of conservative politicians, and the bill is being seen as a compromise between the two viewpoints. Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011. While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing. from the DW newsroom in Bonn. Some of Tuesday's news from Germany relates to the security situation amid Russia's growing territorial aggression, with a new military service scheme on the way and the president in Latvia to talk defense matters. But this DW blog will also bring you up-to-date news, analysis and explainers on other stories large and small from Europe's biggest economy. We wish you enjoyable reading!
Qatar Tribune
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
German president pledges support to maintain Lithuania's freedom
VilniuscTypeface:> German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier pledged his country's support in maintaining Lithuanian freedom during a visit to Vilnius to attend national day celebrations on Sunday. 'With the stationing of a German brigade in Lithuania, we are making a lasting promise: Your security is our security,' Steinmeier said at the celebrations. He later plans to visit the headquarters of the German armoured brigade in Lithuania, which is preparing for the unit's deployment to the country. 'This brigade represents mutual responsibility and loyalty to the alliance, as we know that whoever defends Lithuania defends Europe and defends Europe's values. And that is what you do, dear Lithuanians, every day,' Steinmeier said. From 2027, around 5,000 soldiers of the German armoured brigade are to be permanently stationed in Lithuania to protect the Baltic country against threats from Russia and strengthen NATO's eastern flank. (DPA)
Euronews
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Steinmeier in Vilnius: Your security is our security
During a visit to Vilnius on Sunday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier pledged his country's support in maintaining Lithuania's freedom. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier who's visisted came as Lithuania celebrated Statehood day reiterated that "your security is our security". "Lithuania and Germany stand together for the freedom of Ukraine, for the principle of self-determination, for European unity - as partners in the EU and NATO," said Steinmeier. President Gitanas Nausėda welcomed his German counterpart on Sunday and took to social media platform X to express his gratitude for the visit. "The President's visit is a strong sign of the enduring friendship between Lithuania and Germany, based on shared values and strategic partnership," said Nausėda. The two countries have recently strengthened their military ties as Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz looks to deliver on his campaign promises of bolstering continental security in the wake of Russian threats stemming from its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. From 2027, approximately 5,000 German soldiers from an armoured brigade will be permanently stationed in Lithuania to protect NATO's eastern flank and the Baltic country from Russia, whom it shares an almost 300 kilometre border with. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, many in Lithuania, previously a Soviet satellite state, believe they could become the next targets of Russian President Vladimir Putin's expansionist mission. Steinmeier acknowledged Lithuania's concerns, noting that "here in Lithuania you know that neither freedom nor peace is guaranteed. Freedom is not a condition. Freedom is a task."
DW
06-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Germany updates: Thousands join Cologne's CSD parade – DW – 07/06/2025
The western German city has been preparing for this year's Pride event with some 60,000 participants expected. Meanwhile, Pride events also took place in eastern Germany, amid far-right protests. Follow DW for more. Cologne's annual Pride event, Christopher Street Day (CSD), kicked off on Sunday with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend. The annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts people from around the a visit to NATO-member state Lithuania on Sunday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier assured the country of German support for its security. "With the stationing of a German brigade in Lithuania, we're giving a lasting promise: Your security is our security." Steinmeier was visiting Vilnius during its national day. The Baltic country, along with Estonia and Latvia, forms part of the NATO border with Russia. "Whoever defends Lithuania, is defending Europe and is defending European values," Steinmeier said. A German tank division is being stationed in Lithuania in 2027, including 5,000 soldiers. The number of people in monastic orders in Germany is sinking, with many convents and monasteries facing dissolution. But what happens to the buildings, traditions, and the communities they once housed? Read the full story on Germany's disappearing monasteries and convents. A report by the research services of the German parliament has expressed "substantial doubt" that strikes by Israel and the US on Iran can be legally justified. The report was produced at the request of Left Party lawmaker Ulrich Thoden. The research services said an "overwhelming number of experts in international law" consider the necessary criteria for Israel's claim of self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter as unfulfilled. The 54-page report said that Israel would have had to prove that Iran was directly about to build a nuclear weapon, not just that it had a sufficient amount of nuclear material. It also said Israel would need to prove Iran was planning to use a nuclear weapon against it. It did not exclude the option that Israel's secret service had further information. "Nevertheless, Israel is now obliged to legally justify its military actions against Iran," the report said. The German government did not immediately respond to the report, but Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave his outspoken support to the strikes, saying that Israel was doing the "dirty work for all of us" in Iran. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Following the decision of the German government to turn back migrants at the border, several individuals have launched lawsuits after their asylum applications were immediately rejected. Germany's magazine reported on Sunday that the government was facing three more lawsuits after a court in June ruled in favor of three Somali nationals who were turned back at a checkpoint on the German-Polish border. "There are currently three further court cases pending in connection with the rejection of asylum seekers," quoted a spokesman for the Interior Ministry as saying. A Berlin Administrative Court made its ruling, which was a blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, against the government argument that since they were coming from a safe third country — Poland — officials did not have to consider their application. The court found the immediate transfer of the Somali nationals back to Poland without an adequate review of their applications was unlawful. The government had feared that the ruling would result in a wave of lawsuits, however, this has not appeared to be the case. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that Berlin would take the case to the European Court, saying he was "convinced that our actions are in line with European law." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Polish officials are set to begin carrying out checks on the border with Germany at midnight on Sunday, following German plans to increase spot checks on its side of the border. Germany had already been conducting spot checks on the border with Poland, but the new Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced in May, shortly after taking office, that the checks would be increased as a measure to tackle irregular migration. Poland said that for its side, no physical barriers would be set up, but signs would tell drivers to slow down and spot checks would be carried out with a focus on buses and cars with multiple passengers. Polish authorities will also introduce checks on the border with Lithuania. Both Poland and Germany are part of the Schengen Zone that allows cross-border travel without checks, however, countries are allowed to introduce temporary measures as "last resort" and "in exceptional situations." Germany introduced limited checks on the Polish border in October 2023, but has repeatedly renewed the temporary measures. Germany last extended its border checks until September 15, 2025 in March, citing "Serious threats to public security and order posed by continued high levels of irregular migration and migrant smuggling, and the strain on the asylum reception system." More than 1.4 million German pensioners are still working after having retired, according to a response from the Bundestag to a question from the Left Party and reported by the RND network. Almost 375,000 of those working pensioners were holding down jobs that counted as more than a small side job. The numbers provided by the Bundestag were dated to December 31, 2023. Dietmar Bartsch, from the Left Party, remarked that Germany is the biggest economy in Europe, but its pension level — the relation between the average income of workers and the average income of pensioners — is ten points lower than the EU average. "Austria, the Netherlands or Denmark are at more than 80%, we're below 50%, no wonder then that more and more old people continue working — many not because they want to, but because they must." Bartsch also called for a "major pension reform" in line with the Austrian is preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to show up for the Christopher Street Day (CSD) demonstration on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (0930 GMT). Organizers and police are expecting around 60,000 participants. Some 90 floats are also expected to join the march. CSD traces its origins back to the Stonewall riot in New York on June 28, 1969, when people at the Stonewall LGBTQ+ bar fought back against a police raid. The incident is an important historical date for the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall bar was on Christopher Street, hence the name for the Cologne event. The motto for this year's CSD is "For queer rights. Many. Together. Strong." Cologne's CSD is one of the biggest Pride events in Europe and attracts people from around the world. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Several hundred people on Saturday celebrated the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade to promote diversity and tolerance for the LGBTQ+ community in Falkensee, a town in the eastern German state of Brandenburg. On the same day, several dozen participants protested against Pride events. Police say both the march and the counter demonstration remained peaceful. Paris Saint-Germain have booked a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals after a tense 2-0 win over Bayern Munich — but the match was overshadowed by a gruesome injury to young German star Jamal Musiala. Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 78th minute after Joao Neves robbed Harry Kane near midfield and sparked a quick counter that ended with Doue's left-footed shot beating Manuel Neuer at the near post. PSG finished with nine men after late red cards for Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, but clung on as Bayern threw everything forward. Ousmane Dembele sealed the win deep into stoppage time with a breakaway goal. Bayern had two goals ruled out for offside, including a Harry Kane header, and saw a late penalty overturned by VAR. Musiala's injury stunned both teams. In first-half stoppage time, PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collided with Musiala's left ankle while diving for a loose ball, leaving the 22-year-old's foot hanging at an unnatural angle. Donnarumma was visibly shaken as Musiala was stretchered off. PSG will face either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday's semifinal at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Saturday's quarterfinal drew 66,937 fans to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — the city's biggest crowd yet ahead of next year's World Cup. A father and his child have gone missing after a boating accident on the Eibsee, an Alpine lake in southern Germany, police said on Saturday. The family of four was out on a pedal boat when the six-year-old fell into the water and the father jumped in to rescue them — but neither resurfaced. Emergency responders are caring for the mother and the couple's other child, aged four. Police said the family is from Bavaria. A major rescue operation is underway with helicopters and divers searching the lake. Firefighters and emergency personnel continue to battle the forest fire in the Gohrischheide region on the border between the eastern German states of Saxony and Brandenburg. The situation on the Saxony side remains more difficult. Around 700 firefighters were deployed on Saturday afternoon, according to a statement from the Meissen district office. The situation in the Saalfelder Höhe in Thuringia has been stabilized, according to authorities. Emergency services were able to prevent the fire from spreading overnight."Our emergency services have the situation under control," the Thuringian State Chancellery, which called the forest fire "the largest of its kind" in the state in over 30 years, posted on X. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader Alice Weidel says the cente-left Social Democrats' (SPD) push to consider banning her party reminds her of "very dark times." Speaking in Berlin on Saturday, Weidel compared the idea to Adolf Hitler's crackdown on other parties and the press. The SPD's party conference last weekend called for constitutional bodies to prepare conditions to file an application to have the AfD declared unconstitutional. Any party ban would have to be decided by Germany's Constitutional Court and requested by the federal government or parliament. Calls for a ban have gained momentum after Germany's domestic intelligence service upgraded its assessment of the AfD, citing "confirmed right-wing extremist tendencies." The party is challenging this label in court. Meanwhile, AfD lawmakers passed a new code of conduct on Saturday, with co-leader Tino Chrupalla aiming to polish the party's image ahead of any future term in office. The code calls for a united and moderate front in parliament, along with rules to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest. Germany captain Giulia Gwinn will miss the rest of the Women's Euros in Switzerland due to a left knee injury, the German football federation (DFB) announced on Saturday. "Our captain sustained a medial ligament injury in her left knee yesterday in the match against Poland. She is expected to be out for several weeks.", the DFB posted on X. Gwinn had to be helped off the field in tears in the 40th minute of Germany's opening 2-0 victory over Poland on Friday in St. Gallen. She suffered an injury after making a crucial tackle on Poland's striker, Ewa Pajor. It was originally feared that she had suffered a third anterior cruciate ligament tear since 2020. Anti-German graffiti has appeared on shops and cars on the Spanish island of Mallorca, a popular holiday destination for many Germans, the German-language newspaper reported on Saturday. The perpetrators defaced dozens of German-owned shops and cars with foreign licensed plates with slogans such as "Germans out" and "Foreign buyers go to hell" in the small southern village of Santanyi. Police have confirmed the incidents to German news agency "It is frightening to feel such a wave of hatred after 34 years on the island, where I pay taxes and currently employ nine people," one man affected was quoted as saying by the newspaper. In recent years, there have been rising tensions between tourists, foreign property owners, and locals on the holiday island. Thousands have protested at regular rallies against mass tourism and a housing shortage. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video from Bonn! We are continuing our coverage of news from Germany over the weekend. Anti-tourist graffiti was sited on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Mallorca, a beloved holidaying spot for Germans. Wildfires continued to rage in eastern Germany. Stick around for the latest on these stories and much more from DW.
