Initiative „Effective State“ calls for reforms in 35 measures: In its final report, the „Initiative for an Effective State“ proposes, among other things, a new division of responsibilities between the federal government, states, and municipalities. The initiative was founded last year by former Constitutional Court President Andreas Voßkuhle, former ministers Thomas de Maizière and Peer Steinbrück, and manager Julia Jäkel. 54 experts worked for several months in working groups to develop policy recommendations. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acted as patron. rnd.de, zdfheute.de, zeit.de, hertie-school.org

• Responsibility for deportations is to be transferred from the states to the federal government. After an asylum application has been legally rejected, administrative procedures are currently too lengthy and complex. Too many authorities and institutions are involved.
• Separate administrative units for specific topics such as a National Security Council, a National Education Council, or a Climate Cabinet.
• Reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency in public administration. The state must „meet everyday needs promptly and efficiently instead of being buried in a tangle of regulations.“ Laws should also become more efficient and allow for exceptions.
• Social benefits should be provided via a central digital service platform—whether child benefit, unemployment assistance, or care-related support.
• Admission and integration processes for immigrants should be simplified. Skilled workers need faster access to the labor market. The states should fully handle integration.
• More citizen participation, for example, through citizens‘ councils. Democracy requires a strong state, but also empowered citizens who are willing to engage, said former Zwickau mayor Pia Findeiß.
• Data protection rules should be relaxed. Measures are needed to counteract the threat to democracy posed by social media, with more protection from disinformation.
• Stronger powers for intelligence services, which are „too dependent on intelligence from allied agencies.“ Experts demand comparable powers for foreign intelligence as other services have.
• Introduction of a mandatory year of service to society for young men and women.
• The government wants to tackle state modernization quickly: Minister Karsten Wildberger said after a meeting with the initiative that the goal is to eliminate overlapping administrative responsibilities. Administration must be judged by whether it brings relief to citizens and businesses.
• Digitization: A small village leads the way.

Union parliamentary leader Jens Spahn admits shared responsibility for failed judge election: He is aware that he bears responsibility, Spahn wrote in a letter to CDU and CSU members of parliament. Friday had been a difficult day for the coalition, and there was no sugarcoating it. „That I, as parliamentary group leader, bear responsibility for this is clear to me,“ he stated. He added that he would now devote all his energy to ensuring the Union parliamentary group remains a „stability anchor for the coalition.“ He expressed confidence that a solution would be found together with the SPD. zdfheute.de, tagesschau.de, handelsblatt.com

• Stern poll: Germans don’t trust Jens Spahn. stern.de

Deaths from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Strip: According to Hamas, there were three airstrikes, including on Gaza City and Khan Younis in the southern part of the coastal strip. The Israeli military stated it had destroyed buildings and terrorist infrastructure used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters.

• EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas sees „positive signs“ of increased humanitarian aid in Gaza: „We see some good signs that more trucks, more aid is reaching people in the Gaza Strip,“ Kallas said. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, however, criticized that the agreement has brought no real change.

Ultra-Orthodox party leaves Benjamin Netanyahu’s government: Degel HaTorah has announced the withdrawal of its members from the Israeli government. The move comes amid a dispute over the planned conscription of tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, after the Supreme Court overturned a decades-long exemption for Torah students. Netanyahu’s coalition is now at risk of losing its parliamentary majority, as other ultra-Orthodox parties are also threatening to withdraw. However, the parties emphasized that they currently do not intend to topple the government. According to the military, the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men is set to begin in July. welt.de

Israel’s ambassador Ron Prosor urges Germany to stand firm in conflict over Iran’s nuclear program: „Iran is deliberately trying to intimidate and pressure Germany,“ said Prosor. Tehran is closely watching how Berlin responds. „Anyone who gives in to the regime now makes themselves vulnerable to blackmail.“

• Jewish community leader Remko Leemhuis sees parallels between „Querdenker“ (conspiracy theorists) and pro-Palestinian demonstrations. At universities, in particular, the protests may be more of a trend or fashion statement, said the director of the American Jewish Committee in an interview with FAZ. At the same time, Leemhuis criticized German society for not taking a strong enough stance against antisemitism.

US President Donald Trump takes a tougher stance against Russia Trump has threatened Russia and its trading partners—such as China and India—with punitive tariffs of up to 100 percent. The U.S. would impose these so-called secondary tariffs if no ceasefire agreement in the Ukraine war is reached within 50 days, Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. Trump reiterated that he is disappointed with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rutte called it good news for Ukraine. handelsblatt.com, tagesschau.de

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reshuffles government: Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is set to become the new Prime Minister. Her appointment is intended to unlock better Ukraine’s economic potential, including in the defense sector. The government’s work must undergo significant reform, Zelensky stated. Svyrydenko’s nomination still requires approval from parliament.
Current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to become the new Defense Minister, replacing Rustem Umerov, who is slated to become Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington. spiegel.de, zeit.de, n-tv.de

More deaths and injuries after Russian attacks: According to local authorities, areas near Sumy, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk were affected. Russian forces reportedly used four cruise missiles and more than 130 drones, including some to deceive Ukrainian air defenses.

• Moscow reports shooting down eleven Ukrainian drones over Russian border regions and over the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed.

Germany plans to buy US weapons: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth in Washington. Germany wants to procure the long-range precision weapon Typhon from the US, which can launch missiles with a range of about 2,000 kilometers. „Simply put, these are land-based launchers capable of firing various guided missiles over different distances,“ Pistorius explained. The weapons system could also reach targets in Russia. However, Pistorius emphasized in Washington that it is intended solely for deterrence. He said the US contribution remains „indispensable for our collective security.“ He reaffirmed that Germany is „ready to take greater responsibility for the deterrence and defense of Europe.“ tagesschau.de, zeit.de

• Defense Minister Pistorius sees the arms industry as responsible for ramping up production. „There is no longer any reason to complain,“ Pistorius told the Financial Times. The defense sector must now deliver, as the government has approved long-term funding.