Bild: The German citizen’s allowance atlas / Der deutsche Bürgergeld-Atlas
FAZ: EU interior ministers agree on stricter asylum laws / EU-Innenminister einig über schärferes Asylrecht
Funke: CDU wants a parking flat rate for all of Berlin / CDU will Parkpauschale für ganz Berlin
Handelsblatt: Mercedes launches an offensive / Offensive bei Mercedes
RND: Stricter EU migration laws: What does this mean for Germany? / Schärfere EU-Migrationsgesetze: Was bedeutet das für Deutschland?
SZ: Deportation centers planned outside Europe / Abschiebezentren außerhalb Europas geplant
Tagesspiegel: Tougher asylum policy: EU states want faster deportations / Härtere Asylpolitik: EU-Staaten wollen schneller abschieben
taz: Ukraine in the dark / Ukraine im Dunkeln
Welt: Corporate insolvencies rise to a record high / Unternehmenspleiten steigen auf Rekordhöhe
Berlin rejects US strategy on Russia and Europe: Unlike Washington, Berlin continues to view Russia as the greatest threat to transatlantic security, in line with NATO’s position. The government also firmly rejected the accusations against the EU contained in the US document. Deputy government spokesperson Sebastian Hille emphasized that political freedoms and fundamental rights are essential EU values. The US and Europe remained close partners. The US administration had announced a foreign-policy shift in its strategy paper and accused the EU of restricting freedom of expression. handelsblatt.com
- Intelligence services express concern over new US security strategy; greater independence from US agencies demanded. sueddeutsche.de
EU Council President Antonio Costa rejects American interference: Europe will not accept being patronized by the US, Costa said in Brussels. Washington cannot decide for European citizens which parties are legitimate. Differences in political views are normal, but US influence attempts go too far. orf.at
US President Donald Trump once again attacks Europe verbally: Trump bemoaned what he sees as a negative development on the continent: „Europe is moving in a bad direction. This is very bad, very bad for the people.“ He said the US does not want Europe to change further, without elaborating on his criticism. tagesspiegel.de
UKRAINE
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to submit a revised version of the US peace plan to Washington by Tuesday: The document has been shortened from 28 to 20 points; positions Kyiv viewed as openly hostile to Ukraine were removed. The changes followed several days of talks between Ukrainian and US negotiators. Zelensky again stressed that Ukraine will not cede any territory to Russia; there is no legal, constitutional, or international basis for doing so, nor any moral right.zdfheute.de
- The UK, France and Germany, together with Ukraine, are pushing for adjustments to the US plan. After talks in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelensky spoke of a productive meeting. sueddeutsche.de
- Zelensky informs EU and NATO about talks with the US. He stressed that positions are aligned on all issues and that coordination is constructive. Zelensky met NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, EU
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa in Brussels.
The US government is reportedly pushing for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from Donetsk. According to Politico, Washington is seeking a territorial solution that accommodates Russian demands—an approach criticized in Europe. - Seven EU leaders push for the swift release of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. In a letter to EU officials, they call for implementing the Commission’s plans for a reparations fund.
Zelensky estimates Ukraine’s need for US weapons deliveries in 2026 at 15 billion dollars. The funds are to be provided through NATO’s PURL program, which enables direct purchases from US stockpiles. - Following G7 consultations, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil emphasized partners’ unity on Ukraine policy. All countries, including the US, were prepared to increase pressure on Russia and release frozen assets only after reparations are paid.
Debate on recalculating retirement age based on contribution years:
- Employer associations oppose calculating the retirement age based on contribution years. BDA chief executive Steffen Kampeter called the proposal a revival of the „pension at 63“ and therefore wrong; under a new name, the idea remains unsuitable. sueddeutsche.de
- Left Party deputy chair Nicole Gohlke warns students must not be disadvantaged; given the skilled-worker shortage, the idea sends the wrong signal. n-tv.de
- Politicians from the CDU’s Young Group defend a differentiated retirement start. zeit.de
- CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann called it a proposal worth discussing, to be addressed by the planned pension commission.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed openness to the idea, calling it worth considering, though decisions should be made within a comprehensive pension reform.
- Economic expert Martin Werding criticizes the proposal, saying it is unclear how it would ensure the pension system’s long-term viability. handelsblatt.com
Chancellor Friedrich Merz admits communication errors in the Stadtbild debate: He said he had explained his comments inadequately and would argue more precisely today. He should have clarified earlier what he meant by the term. In the ARD program „Arena,“ he reaffirmed his criticism of neglected cities and stressed that conditions must improve. He also likened himself to a bricklayer—Germany has a foundation, but much still needs rebuilding. Merz spoke openly about the challenges of his term, acknowledging he has not yet met all expectations. Governing is harder than expected, he said, and renewing the country is a long-term process. tagesschau.de, rnd.de, sueddeutsche.de, ardmediathek.de
- Merz stated that Germany must remain a country of immigration—regions like the Ruhr area benefited from it in the 1960s and 70s. At the same time, he insisted on clear rules: those who stay must integrate, those who do not must leave. welt.de
- Merz stressed Germany must be able to defend itself to avoid having to fight. The Bundeswehr should remain voluntary, though he did not rule out reinstating conscription. He defended high defense spending as necessary to support Ukraine. Germany and the EU must strengthen military capabilities for credible deterrence.
- Germany must stand firmly with Israel, even though criticism of Israeli policy—such as settlement expansion—remains permissible. He supports a Palestinian state and German assistance in rebuilding Gaza. The fact that Jews in Berlin are once again afraid, he said, is alarming.
Merz emphatically rejected cooperation with the AfD, saying the party is strong only because others failed. He wants to work with the SPD to reverse the trend and maintain a firewall. - Merz wants to avoid rising statutory health-insurance contributions; federal and state governments must soon reach agreement on hospital-sector savings. Pay for nursing staff has improved, he said. On doctor shortages, Merz is open to technological solutions such as AI. Regarding midwives, he admitted he had not engaged enough with the issue and promised to change that. handelsblatt.com
- A mayor from Thuringia criticized the widening divide between urban and rural areas and called for more room to act. Merz promised infrastructure investments. In disaster response, he saw need for improvement but announced no concrete new measures. A restaurant owner warned that traditional pubs are dying out and said the recent VAT reduction is insufficient. Merz showed understanding but did not offer specifics.
BKA publishes report on crime among migrants: According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, migrants accounted for around nine percent of all suspects in general crime in 2024. Of 1.97 million suspects, 697,000 did not hold German citizenship, including 172,000 migrants as defined by the BKA. The annual report covers only non-political crimes. rnd.de, welt.de
- Cannabis legalization reduces number of migrant crime suspects. spiegel.de
Domestic intelligence agency pushes for expanded powers: BfV chief Sinan Selen calls for greater authority and closer cooperation with other security services and the Bundeswehr, citing increasingly hybrid threats—especially from Russia. Extremely short planning cycles for dangerous actions require early identification of actors and networks. Monitoring relevant online platforms plays a key role. Selen is optimistic the Interior Ministry under Alexander Dobrindt will pursue necessary legal changes. n-tv.de
- Domestic intelligence expects intensified Russian disinformation campaigns ahead of state elections. n-tv.de
- Domestic intelligence chief Sinan Selen advocates for European alternatives to Palantir. heise.de
Bundeswehr tests drone-swarm system successfully: The trial, conducted at the Altmark training area in Saxony-Anhalt, included reconnaissance drones, AI-supported command software and kamikaze drones from different manufacturers. The test marked an important milestone for future combat operations, the Bundeswehr said. newstime.de
More reports:
- CDU politicians call for an end to dual citizenship. welt.de
- Green Party chair Brantner criticizes Chancellor Merz sharply: „There is a difference between wanting and being able to govern.“ n-tv.de
- Film lobbyist Michelle Müntefering: „You have to be idealistic or half crazy to still make films today.“ spiegel.de
- Hesse: First cannabis club harvests its crop. faz.net
- Berlin: Governing Mayor Kai Wegner wants to strengthen the city as a startup hub. tagesspiegel.de
- Bavaria: Nearly 700 victims identified in Passau diocese abuse study. sueddeutsche.de
- Hesse: Euro sculpture in Frankfurt saved. faz.net
- NRW: House of History in Bonn reopens with a refreshed concept. dw.com
EU agrees on significantly weakened supply-chain rules: Due diligence requirements will now apply only to companies with more than 5,000 employees and at least 1.5 billion euros in annual revenue. Originally, the thresholds were far lower. Civil liability for violations at EU level has also been removed. The deal must still be approved by the EU Parliament and member states.
EU states agree on tougher asylum rules: Rejected asylum seekers will be required to actively cooperate in their deportation and may face sanctions or detention if they do not. They must provide documents for identification and remain reachable for authorities. Ministers also adopted a common list of safe countries of origin—including Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and India—enabling faster border procedures. For those who cannot be deported to their home countries, return centers in third countries are planned. To ease pressure on border states, 21,000 asylum seekers will be redistributed and 420 million euros in solidarity payments provided; Germany is exempt for now. The final legal text must still be negotiated with the EU Parliament. rnd.de, spiegel.de, zdfheute.de
Meta responds to EU pressure with changes to its advertising model: The EU Commission welcomed Facebook’s and Instagram’s planned adjustments regarding user-data handling and paid tiers. From January, users in the EU will be able to choose whether they consent to extensive data use for personalized ads or prefer a less personalized version. Meta aims to comply with EU requirements and avoid potential fines. The Commission will now review the changes. heise.de
Telefon number network of fraudsters dismantled: Authorities in Baden-Württemberg, together with the Bafin, have shut down more than 3,500 phone numbers used by suspected fraudsters. The numbers were allegedly used for investment fraud, the so-called „grandchild scam,“ and fake police calls. Another 355 Austrian landline numbers were deactivated in cooperation with the Federal Criminal Police Office in Vienna. n-tv.de
Further news:
- Ifo Institute: Regionally differing impacts from increased US tariffs. tagesschau.de
- 64.1 percent of electricity generated in Germany in the third quarter came from renewable energy sources. heise.de
- Rheinmetall receives major Bundeswehr order for tank ammunition. zeit.de
- Number of corporate insolvencies hits a record high. zdfheute.de
- Unsuccessful search for investors: Car rental company Starcar has no future. manager-magazin.de
- Bidding war with Netflix: Paramount offers 108 billion dollars for Warner Bros.n-tv.de
Why Germans take Christmas very seriously
It starts innocently enough: a candle here, a homemade cookie there. But by the second Advent, your German colleagues have transformed into highly organized holiday elves armed with spreadsheets for Plätzchen production, strict rules for Glühwein temperature, and a firm belief that the Weihnachtsmarkt is a sacred seasonal pilgrimage — rain, snow, or wind gusts strong enough to blow over the wooden huts. And don’t be fooled: the „quiet time of year“ is actually a competitive sport. Whoever finds the most traditional, least touristy Christmas market wins eternal bragging rights. Merry Christmas — and may your Schmalzkuchen always be fresh and your mulled wine never lukewarm.