What’s going on in Germany? There’s a lot!
Published May 2nd, 2025
Germany’s been in the headlines for a mix of political, economic, and social developments recently. Here’s a rundown of what’s been happening based on the latest reports:
Political Shifts and Far-Right Surge: The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its far-right stance, has been labeled an extremist organization by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency on May 2, 2025. This follows the AfD’s strong showing in the February elections, where it came second with 20.8% of the vote, securing a record 152 seats in the 630-seat Bundestag. The designation stems from the party’s “ethnicity- and ancestry-based” views, which the agency says clash with Germany’s democratic principles. AfD leaders have called this move politically motivated, while the government insists it’s based on a thorough 1,100-page report. The rise of AfD reflects growing discontent, with some X posts claiming it’s now the most popular party, though these lack hard data to confirm.
New Government Forming: Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is set to become chancellor after his party formed a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD). Announced in April 2025, this deal aims to tackle economic stagnation and boost defense spending amid global tensions. Merz has appointed key figures like utility executive Katherina Reiche as economy minister and Johann Wadephul as foreign minister, signaling a focus on economic reform and a tougher stance on migration to counter AfD’s appeal. The coalition also plans to loosen Germany’s “debt brake” to fund infrastructure and defense, a historic shift greenlit by parliament for €500 billion over 12 years.
Economic Challenges: Germany’s economy is struggling, with the government forecasting zero growth for 2025, marking a third year of stagnation—a first in modern history. U.S. tariffs under President Trump, especially on automobiles, steel, and aluminum, are hitting Germany’s export-driven economy hard, with exports expected to drop 2.2% this year. High energy prices and bureaucratic red tape aren’t helping. The government’s hoping to boost domestic consumption, but Germans’ high savings rate (20% last year, well above the EU average) makes that tricky. There’s some optimism, though—a recent survey showed slight improvement in business morale.
Social and Security Issues: A car attack in Stuttgart on May 2, 2025, injured at least eight people when a vehicle plowed into a crowd, though details on the motive are unclear. Berlin’s seen a spike in far-right violence, with 77 assaults on asylum seekers in 2024, up from 32 the previous year, alongside attacks on refugee shelters. This comes amid a hardening of migration policies, with deportations to countries like Greece now easier after a court ruling. On the crime front, a Berlin doctor was charged with murdering 15 patients, and a manhunt continues in Bad Nauheim after two Turkish men were shot dead in April, possibly for personal reasons.
Other Developments: Germany’s infrastructure is crumbling—think collapsing bridges and outdated railways—prompting Merz’s coalition to prioritize repairs. A new Earth observation satellite will be controlled from Darmstadt, and archaeological digs in Stuttgart uncovered Roman horse skeletons, adding a historical twist to the news. There’s also chatter on X about a proposed law to criminalize “deliberate falsehoods” online, criticized as a potential threat to free speech, though it’s too early to confirm its status.
Sentiment and Context: The mood in Germany seems tense, with economic woes, political polarization, and rising far-right influence creating a perfect storm. X posts reflect frustration with mainstream parties, with some users cheering AfD’s rise as a backlash against perceived failures of the CDU, SPD, and others. However, these posts often amplify unverified claims, so take them with a grain of salt. Globally, Germany’s navigating U.S. trade pressures and Russia’s war in Ukraine, which adds to the sense of crisis.
Germany is grappling with significant political, economic, and social challenges in early 2025. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, now classified as extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, gained 20.8% of the vote in February’s elections, reflecting public discontent. A new CDU-SPD coalition, led by incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is focusing on economic reform, stricter migration policies, and increased defense spending, including a historic €500 billion debt brake relaxation for infrastructure and defense. Economically, Germany faces a third year of stagnation, worsened by U.S. tariffs on key exports like automobiles, with zero growth projected for 2025. Socially, a car attack in Stuttgart injured eight, far-right violence against asylum seekers is rising, and high-profile crimes, like a Berlin doctor charged with 15 murders, add to tensions. Infrastructure woes, a new satellite project, and archaeological finds round out the news. Public sentiment is tense, with polarization and economic pressures fueling debate, amplified by unverified claims on X about AfD’s popularity and proposed free speech laws.
