Good morning. Germany’s elections always matter far beyond the country’s borders – but Sunday’s vote could be the most important in a generation.
After decades as the stable linchpin of European liberal democracy, Germany has found itself sucked into the same crises that are erupting all over the continent – over its economy, attitudes to immigration and the war in Ukraine. And after the shocking interventions of JD Vance and Elon Musk in favour of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, the election became a symbol of a wider struggle for ideological supremacy – and posed a serious question over whether the centre can hold across the continent.
Now we have the beginnings of an answer – one which indicates a politically divided country. The CDU/CSU won the election with about 29% of the vote, sweeping the beleaguered coalition led by the left-of-centre Social Democrats out of power. But as polls had suggested, the AfD doubled their support from the last election to about 21%.
That means that the CDU/CSU’s chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz will be tasked with forming a ruling coalition. The AfD will not be involved – but they will be waiting in the wings. For today’s newsletter, I spoke to Deborah Cole, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent, about what we know so far, and what’s yet to emerge. Here are the headlines.
Five big stories
Ukraine | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is not willing to cave in to intense pressure from the Trump administration to sign a $500bn minerals deal – adding that he was ready to quit as president if it meant “peace for Ukraine” or membership of Nato.
Catholicism | Pope Francis, who is battling pneumonia and a complex lung infection, remains in a critical condition, the Vatican has said. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told participants at a mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday morning they should make their prayers for Francis “stronger and more intense”.
Afghanistan | The Taliban have arrested a British couple in their 70s for “teaching mothers parenting with children”. Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife, Barbie, 75, have been running projects in schools in Afghanistan for 18 years.
Farming | Hospitals, schools and prisons are to be urged to buy more British food, as part of a government push to heal a rift with farmers over changes to inheritance tax. The environment secretary, Steve Reed, will set a target of sourcing at least half of public sector food from farms with the highest welfare standards, which should benefit British producers.
Green economy | The net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, analysis has found, providing high-wage jobs across the country while cutting climate-heating emissions and increasing energy security. 22,000 net zero businesses generated £83bn in gross value added last year.
In depth: Merz wins in a fractured nation
Five big stories
Ukraine Voltaire’s portrait (1694–1778), which appeared on the first cover of Die Welt in 1946, illustrated the newspaper’s commitment to reason and Enlightenment values, according to Die Welt. It is pictured on its front page today after Sunday’s election.
What else we’ve been reading
Fredrik Evers’ profile forosec Alice Weidel in Der Spiegel – migrating from rightwing activist to aspirant MP – in today’s Die Welt. The German people are “impressed” by the package of EU sanctions against Hungary, according to a Eurobarometer survey, Politico reports. Former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop says that European politicians “commend the PRC’s [China’s] fulfillment of its 14-point plan for the Ukraine crisis”, according to the China Daily.
Sport
The Guardian’s weekend week in sport covers news, interviews and results from the premier league, NFL, Australian Open and more. It goes out every Saturday morning, and you can sign up here to receive it straight to your inbox.
Retiring Irish kamikaze cyclist Dan Martin won his first grand tour, the Tour de Suisse, on Thursday, wrote Richard Williams last week. CFS, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a complex and debilitating condition that affects an estimated 17 million people worldwide. The condition is been wielded as a political tool, notably by the far right, but the reality for those it affects is incredibly tough.
Today in Focus
Imam Muhsin Hendricks of Cape Town, South Africa, was the world’s first openly gay imam. In early February, he was shot and killed and the identities and motives of those responsible are still unknown.
Cartoon of the day | Ella Baron
The Upside
A bit of good news to remind you that the world’s not all bad
Born during her parents’ sea voyage, Laura Dekker always dreamed of sailing the world. At age eight, she began saving and training for the trip, and, at 13, crossed the Channel solo. When she announced plans for a global voyage, social services tried to stop her, sparking a legal battle. After eight court cases, she set sail in 2010 at age 14 on her 38ft sailboat, Guppy, facing storms, isolation and sleepless nights. But the journey also brought incredible moments – meeting people from around the world and experiencing the breathtaking beauty of places like French Polynesia. Over 518 days, she made more than 20 stops, worked odd jobs and learned invaluable life lessons. In 2012, at 16, she became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe alone. Now, she runs a sailing foundation in New Zealand, helping teenagers develop resilience and teamwork.
Bored at work?
And finally, the Guardian’s puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
