Bild: Trump speaks in Bild / Trump spricht in Bild
FAZ: The EU supply chain law is set to be weakened / Das EU-Lieferkettengesetz soll abgeschwächt werden
Funke: Rising costs: Homeowners are increasingly worried / Steigende Kosten: Hausbesitzer haben immer größere Sorgen
Handelsblatt: The big unicorn check / Der große Einhorn-Check
RND: Under pressure from Trump: Zelensky ready for elections in Ukraine / Nach Druck von Trump: Selenskyj bereit für Wahlen in der Ukraine
SZ: Zelensky pushes back against Trump’s line / Selenskyj stemmt sich gegen Trumps Linie
Tagesspiegel: Military intelligence MAD warns: Spy threat to the Bundeswehr higher than ever / Militär-Geheimdienst MAD warnt: Spionage-Bedrohung für Bundeswehr so hoch wie nie
taz: Inspired by Australia: Social media ban for childish users! / Vorbild Australien: Social-Media-Verbot für kindische Nutzer!
Welt: „Most European states are decaying“ / „Die meisten europäischen Staaten verfallen“
US SECURITY STRATEGY
Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticizes parts of the new US security strategy: Merz called the contents of the document „predictable“ but rejected parts of it. The paper largely reflects the remarks made by US Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference, where he accused Germany and other European states of restricting freedom of expression and excluding parties such as the AfD. At the same time, Merz stressed that the transatlantic partnership must continue. An isolated course under the motto „America Alone“ is not viable. tagesschau.de
- SPD foreign policy politician Adis Ahmetovic accuses US President Donald Trump of deliberately weakening Europe and strengthening authoritarian forces with his new security strategy. He sees the paper as an open attack on European sovereignty.
- Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the EU, accusing European leaders of weakness and lack of direction. He announced in Politico that he intends to support right-wing populist forces in Europe more strongly in the future and warned against what he sees as the EU’s misguided migration policy and value framework. n-tv.de
- According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Donald Trump is planning a visit to Germany next year. No exact date has been set; among the options is a joint visit to Trump’s ancestral village of Kallstadt in the Palatinate. n-tv.de
UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signals readiness for new elections under martial law: His regular term would have ended last year. Trump had repeatedly described the lack of elections as a legitimacy problem for the Ukrainian government. Elections had been suspended due to martial law. Zelensky announced that he intends to ask parliament to create the legal conditions for voting despite the war. He said elections could take place within 60 to 90 days if the US and Europe guarantee security during the process. zdfheute.de, spiegel.de, rnd.de
- The handover of the revised Ukrainian peace plan to the US is delayed. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that work at the adviser level is still ongoing; the handover is planned for Wednesday. The plan includes a 20-point framework document as well as additional papers on security guarantees and reconstruction. faz.net
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz strictly rejects a peace agreement without the involvement of Ukraine and Europe. A „dictated peace“ for Ukraine is unacceptable to him. Decisions on Ukraine must not be made over its head.
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is skeptical that negotiations over Ukraine will lead to a viable compromise. Given Russia’s demands for territorial concessions, he doubts the prospects of an agreement, but welcomes the ongoing efforts.
RTL/ntv trend barometer by Forsa: CDU/CSU 24 percent (-1), AfD 26 percent, SPD 14 percent, Greens 12 percent, Left 11 percent, BSW 3 percent, FDP 3 percent, Others 7 percent.n-tv.de
Politician ranking: Bärbel Bas loses reputation dramatically, Heidi Reichinnek becomes the star of the East. n-tv.de
Bild-Sonntag poll by Insa: CDU/CSU 24.5 percent, AfD 26.5 percent (-0.5), SPD 15 percent (+0.5), Greens 10.5 percent (-0.5), Left 11 percent (+0.5), BSW 4 percent, FDP 4 percent (+0.5), Others 4.5 percent. bild.de
New defense projects worth 52 billion euros: The budget committee is set to decide next week on the procurement plans, reports Reuters. They include an additional 200 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, missiles for the planned Arrow 3 defense system, and new soldier equipment. Rheinmetall is also expected to receive a multibillion-euro contract for the satellite-based reconnaissance system „Spock,“ which will support the new Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania. spiegel.de
- G36 successor handed over; the Bundeswehr receives the new G95 assault rifle. rnd.de
Military Counterintelligence Service warns of record levels of espionage attempts against the Bundeswehr: In its new annual report, MAD President Martina Rosenberg writes that foreign intelligence services are using all means to obtain information, exert influence, and spread disinformation. The main actors are Russia and China, which are specifically targeting data on troop numbers, weapons systems, and command structures. According to the report, some services do not shy away from killings, abductions, and the use of drones. spiegel.de, n-tv.de
250 organizations call for faster admission of endangered Afghans: In an open letter to Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, they appeal to bring all Afghans with German admission commitments from Pakistan to Germany by the end of the year. Otherwise, those affected risk deportation to Afghanistan and persecution by the Taliban. According to the Interior Ministry, around 1,300 people from German admission programs remain in Pakistan, and another 160 are back in Afghanistan after being deported from Pakistan. Pakistan has given Germany only until the end of the year to complete the programs. n-tv.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz promises Armenia support on its path towards the EU: At a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin, Merz pledged support for stronger ties with the EU. He called it a historic opportunity for Armenia to take the European path, referring to the peace agreement with Azerbaijan in August as a crucial step that opened the way to Europe. n-tv.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejects an early corporate tax cut: The relief is to come as planned in 2028. Economics Minister Katherina Reiche and Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder had called for a quicker reduction in corporation tax. Merz stressed that an earlier move is hardly feasible at this time.
More than one million digital vehicle registration certificates after one month: Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder spoke of a successful start and announced that a digital driving licence will be introduced by the end of 2026. The app allows access to the digital registration certificate and its transfer to other drivers, but is currently available only for private owners; companies and rental firms are to follow in early 2026. golem.de
Further reports:
- CDU politician Nicklas Kappe wants pension rules to differentiate between professional groups. tagesspiegel.de
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls on the metal and electrical industries to reintroduce company pension schemes.
- CDU/CSU and SPD postpone introduction of the animal-welfare label by one year to early 2027.
- Government abandons Scheuer’s rail targets. sueddeutsche.de
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejects US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the penalty for X. spiegel.de
- Controversial US trip: Several AfD MPs travel to Republican gala in New York. tagesspiegel.de
- Federal government close to taking a stake in grid operator Tennet. handelsblatt.com
- Municipalities poorly prepared for disasters. tagesschau.de
Hesse passes first bureaucracy-reduction law: The state parliament passed a law that simplifies or eliminates 90 regulations. Many administrative procedures can now be handled by email, and digital copies will suffice for exams or professional licenses. According to Minister for Bureaucracy Reduction Manfred Pentz, the state government is already working on a second law. wnoz.de, allgemeine-zeitung.de
More news:
- Bavaria: Somali helper who chased the Aschaffenburg knife attacker must now leave Germany after all. spiegel.de
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Network against right-wing extremism warns of rising violence. spiegel.de
- Berlin: Environmental Action Germany files climate lawsuit against the Senate; central climate protection program not updated on time. morgenpost.de
- Saxony-Anhalt: Half the population are „fragile democrats,“ according to a study by the state civic education office. spiegel.de
- Saxony/NRW: Anti-mafia law to increase pressure on clans and gangs. rnd.de
Chancellor Friedrich Merz sees an end to border controls with the EU asylum compromise: The new rules allow controls to be shifted to the EU’s external borders, Merz said during a visit to Rhineland-Palatinate. The compromise faces opposition—for example, from SPD MEP Birgit Sippel, who argues that the reform amounts to abolishing the right to asylum because returns to third countries would be made easier. Pro Asyl also warns of „far-reaching disenfranchisement“ of affected individuals. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, by contrast, praised the agreement as a step toward an orderly migration policy.
EU sets 90-percent emissions-reduction target by 2040: Representatives of the European Parliament and member states have agreed on a new interim climate target. Greenhouse gas emissions are to fall 90 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2040. Several countries secured exemptions: starting in 2036, they may offset up to five percentage points through international CO₂ certificates under certain conditions. The planned expansion of CO₂ pricing to gasoline and natural gas will be delayed by one year. The agreement still needs formal approval by the EU Council and Parliament.
- Press conference with Peace Prize Laureate María Corina Machado cancelled; her personal attendance at the award ceremony remains unclear.
- EU Commission approves billions in national state aid for the construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant. spiegel.de
- EU Commission launches investigation against Google; possible violations of competition law. kress.de
- 21 traditions added to lists of intangible cultural heritage. zeit.de
- Agreement in Brussels: EU weakens the supply chain law even before it is applied. spiegel.de
- Don’t forget: the German supply chain law is still in force. faz.net
- Dlf interview: Mittelstandsverbund welcomes the EU agreement on easing the supply chain law. deutschlandfunk.de
- Pharma package, CMA and MDR: EU launches a reform marathon in health policy. pharmazeutische-zeitung.de
- EU member states call for one year of data retention for internet services such as messaging apps. netzpolitik.org
- EU research program: European science under competitive pressure. faz.net
Children and teenagers are increasingly viewing pornography online: A representative study commissioned by the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia shows that almost half of 11- to 17-year-olds have already seen pornography on the internet. The share has risen from 35 to 47 percent within two years. More than half of the affected minors saw their first pornographic content before the age of 14. The study is based on around 3,000 interviews. deutschlandfunk.de
Further news:
- Deputy Commander of the Operational Command Andre Bodemann: „Companies need to understand that they are also a target.“ handelsblatt.com
- Plant manufacturer Voith plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs. tagesspiegel.de
- Driverless shuttle service: Mercedes announces robotaxis. handelsblatt.com
- Reporters Without Borders: 67 media workers killed in one year. zeit.de
- Experts criticize chaotic funding landscape in the energy transition. faz.net
- KfW plans to test switching between blockchains in 2026. faz.net
What if your body pressed the pause button every five years — and you finally had no choice but to listen?
In this week’s episode of Plus Forty Nine, coach Simon de los Rios opens up about the wake-up calls that reshaped his entire life: repeated burnouts, a silent retreat that forced him into stillness, and a bold move from Miami to Berlin that turned his world upside down.
Simon doesn’t just talk about surviving change — he talks about using it. From rebuilding his work from the inside out to discovering what actually feels meaningful, his story is a roadmap for anyone who has ever thought: There has to be more than this.
If you’re navigating migration, trying to build a life that pays the bills and sparks joy, or simply craving the courage to reinvent yourself, this episode is your perfect December companion.
Germany’s December Superpower: Bureaucracy, but make it festive
In Germany, even Christmas comes with a checklist. While the rest of the world simply „gets into the holiday spirit,“ Germans prepare for it—meticulously. Advent calendars purchased by mid-November, Plätzchen recipes printed and tabbed, and of course a household debate about which of the 27 types of Christmas markets to attend.
And yet, under all the rules and the scheduling and the politely intense Glühwein strategy planning, something soft and sparkly happens: people slow down. Even bureaucracy puts on its Santa hat—your forms still need to be stamped, but at least the clerk has switched to cinnamon tea.
So as you navigate twinkling lights, crowded markets, and the national obsession with the perfect Stollen, remember: in December, Germany doesn’t just celebrate Christmas… it organizes it. And honestly? That’s part of the charm.