Nearly 50 people from Afghanistan expected in Germany: The flight from Islamabad to Hanover is the result of several court rulings confirming their entry. The people include former translators for the German army in Afghanistan and individuals whose lives are particularly at risk under Taliban rule. Around 2,300 Afghans with admission promises from Germany are still waiting. Entries have slowed because the admission program was restricted after the change of government. faz.net

Debate on the cost of the welfare state and taxes:

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz continues to reject tax increases, stating that this was excluded in the coalition agreement, which remains in effect. He and CSU leader Markus Söder made it clear they would not sign a contract with tax increases. The SPD knows this. tagesspiegel.de, handelsblatt.com
• SPD leader Lars Klingbeil told ARD that everyone must do their part. He is not ruling out any option to close the €30 billion budget gap from 2027 onwards. Klingbeil again warned against making cuts mainly in the social sector. tagesschau.de
• Labor Minister Bärbel Bas criticized the debate over the costs of social security systems for being conducted in an overly dramatic manner. The claim that Germany can no longer afford the welfare state is “bullshit.” The welfare state contributes to social cohesion. At the same time, Bas emphasized the need for reforms. welt.de
• CSU leader Markus Söder is calling for a “fundamental update” of the welfare state. spiegel.de
• Labor Minister Bärbel Bas plans a freeze on Bürgergeld (basic income) payments and harsher sanctions, for example, for missed appointments. The standard rates for Bürgergeld rose sharply in 2023 and 2024 because they disproportionately took inflation into account. faz.net
• Lars Klingbeil supports the planned further tightening of Bürgergeld rules. The freeze on standard rates planned for 2026 is, he said, the right decision by Labor Minister Bas. However, there are still a few short-term changes to discuss. Klingbeil wants to increase pressure on those who completely refuse to cooperate in the system.
• Union parliamentary manager Steffen Bilger called it the right signal in the “Rheinische Post.”
  Joachim Rock, head of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, said a second consecutive freeze would mean more hardship and growing exclusion.
• The Sozialverband Deutschland accused Friedrich Merz of dividing society with his comments on the welfare state.
• Left Party leader Jan van Aken also criticized the SPD. He said they were making themselves helpers of the CDU/CSU, who are stingy with the poorest and benefit the super-rich.
• Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil still aims to cut income taxes for low- and middle-income earners midway through the legislative term despite increased budget constraints. Different models are being calculated, and he will present a proposal.

Union and SPD want to implement reforms in the coming months: At their retreat in Würzburg, the parliamentary leaders agreed on concrete legislative projects, including the agreed reform of Bürgergeld, the planned pension package, and changes in the housing sector. Another declared goal is to continue the €49 Germany ticket beyond 2025. Specific measures include reducing bureaucracy, lowering energy prices, and speeding up procurement procedures. The retreat focused on building trust.sueddeutsche.de

Welfare State Commission begins work: It is to present proposals for Bürgergeld, housing benefit, and child allowance by the end of the year. They are to be implemented starting in early 2026. The commission includes representatives of the federal, state, and local governments. The expertise of unions, social and business associations, and the Federal Audit Office will also be involved. swr.de

Chancellor Friedrich Merz announces debt relief for municipalities: It cannot be that the federal government constantly assigns more tasks to municipalities and then leaves them to deal with the costs alone, Merz said at the NRW CDU state party conference. North Rhine-Westphalia has a particularly high number of heavily indebted municipalities that have been demanding financial help for years. sueddeutsche.de

Chancellor Friedrich Merz expects difficult talks on electing constitutional judges: He is counting on the parliamentary groups of the Union and SPD to organize a majority for the election of new constitutional judges. But the election will be a “quite difficult process.” Because a two-thirds majority is required, some members of either the AfD or the Left Party would have to agree. stern.de

German counterintelligence focusing on Russian activities: Domestic intelligence deputy chief Sinan Selen told WamS that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Germany as a key target in Europe. There is already a wide range of Russian actions in Germany, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and actual sabotage. The aim is to create fear and insecurity and sow doubt about democracy. tagesschau.de

Germany and France are moving closer together on economic and security policy: At the ministerial council in Toulon, both governments largely settled their dispute over the use of nuclear power. At the European level, they now want equal treatment of low-emission energy sources, including nuclear power. France is pushing for nuclear expansion, while Germany has shut down all its reactors. faz.net

Other reports:

• Despite the multi-billion budget gap: Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to reduce the tax burden on low and middle incomes.
• According to a study, the state could manage with 60,000 fewer employees.
• SPD wants to criminalize “catcalling.”
• SED victims’ commissioner Evelyn Zupke criticizes Lenin monuments in Germany.
• Bavarian municipalities lead in digital administration, according to the Digital Ministry.