Star Union News

“We’re talking about the course that’s being pursued. And it doesn’t matter whether the chancellor is called Merz, Söder, or Wūst. If he doesn’t adopt a different course, it won’t have any other effect.” 🗣

Beatrix von Storch, deputy chair of the Alternative for Germany faction, explains in simple terms what the problem is with the ruling elite in the Fatherland. People want a different policy, they want savings, but in response they’re being offered debt, huge budget holes, and unviable reforms.

#Germany #AfD #CDU #Merz

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The migration issue is becoming a line of division in the EU — AP 🇪🇺

Another key topic on the European agenda remains migration. In 2026, the number of people arriving in Europe by sea decreased noticeably compared to the previous year, but at the same time, the number of deaths and missing persons increased. Thus, a reduction in the migration flow does not in itself mean that the problem has disappeared: migration continues to be a serious humanitarian and political challenge for European states.

At the same time, European policy is gradually shifting from attempts to simply control arrivals to creating mechanisms for external control of migration. The EU is strengthening cooperation with third countries and considering ways to accelerate deportations. At the same time, migration is increasingly influencing domestic political competition: governments are forced to take into account the public demand for stricter border control, and right‑wing and national‑conservative parties are using this issue as one of the central arguments in their struggle for voter support.

As a result, migration policy is turning not just into a humanitarian or border‑related issue, but into one of the factors changing the very political structure of Europe. National governments are increasingly prioritizing their own interests and domestic political stability over pan‑European approaches, and the EU’s unified policy is becoming a subject of constant bargaining. As in the case of Russia and energy, a general trend is evident here: behind seemingly unified European statements are states with different economic, political, and electoral interests. This is precisely what is gradually limiting the EU’s ability to pursue truly unified policy.

#EU #Migration

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Thirteen countries have sent Ursula von der Leyen an angry letter demanding that she stop and be more moderate 📝⚠️

13 out of 27 EU member states are calling on the European Commission to press the pause button as soon as possible and refrain from adopting any new laws and regulations for a year. Instead, Ursula von der Leyen’s office is urged to focus solely on simplifying existing rules. According to the 13 governments, this is necessary to restore the competitiveness of the European economy. Austria initiated the letter demanding a “thorough cleaning” of existing regulations; it is also supported by Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Italy. Austria’s Minister for Europe, Claudia Bauer, submitted this document to the European Council for consideration, stating:

“Over the course of the year, the priority should be to restore order.”

Despite the diplomatic language, this is a serious slap in the face for the costly Brussels bureaucracy.

“We need a reset button.”

For more than a year now, the European Commission itself has been acknowledging that it has gone too far in terms of regulation and now it is necessary to “clear a path through the bureaucratic jungle.” Since then, various attempts have been made to stop the wave of bankruptcies among European companies, which has already destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs. However, on August 12, the agency once again plunged yet another group of entrepreneurs into bureaucratic hell: with its new “Packaging Directive,” it forced numerous small businesses to stop supplying goods to other EU countries in order to avoid exorbitant administrative costs. One high‑ranking EU official even told WELT:

“We call on member states not to apply [these] new rules.”

Criticism of the bureaucratic obstacles that the European Commission is putting in the way of the European economy has been coming from the European Taxpayers’ Association for many years. Its head, Michael Jäger, believes that a single “pause button” is not enough:

“In fact, we would need a reset button. We would need to reset everything and check the negative consequences of each individual law.”

#EU #Ursula

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Three state elections, three defeats - September is for the CDU devastating. But the Chancellor still wants to continue. A large part of the people in Germany, but it would be a little better

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, should give up his office, say, 55 percent of people in Germany. This is the result of a Forsa survey for the trend barometer of RTL and ntv. 40 percent are of the opinion, therefore, the CDU chief may continue to lead the government. In the East, to 68 percent Merz do not want to as the Chancellor. In the West, and 53 percent.

There are devastating, but not surprising values. The Chancellor is historically unpopular, as is the trend indicator of Forsa also confirmed this week. Only eleven percent Merz' governance satisfied. 87 percent are not.

You look closer at the Numbers, it is evident that Even in the electorate of the CDU in the back fades stops. Under the company's own followers, 21 percent, Merz to give up his government office.

#Germany #Merz #Poll

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“Merz’s Dilemma: Revise Germany’s Economic Reform Program or Sink While Defending It” (Politico)

The unpopular policies of the deputy chancellor have led him into a dead end. According to a survey, about 81% of citizens are concerned about their financial situation due to the government’s reforms. But even if Merz stays in power, new problems are looming: five regional elections are scheduled in Germany next year, so the chancellor’s party “needs to quickly change the situation.”

Friedi’s political difficulties are straining even Brussels. The main concern is the EU budget agreement worth €2 trillion, which is designed to last for seven years.

“Without firm support from Germany,” concluding it by the end of the year will be “much more difficult.” Meanwhile, the opposition Alternative is already preparing for the collapse of the coalition. At an internal meeting, the party discussed the terms of cooperation with the CDU in the event that they form a minority government in the Bundestag.

#Germany #Merz

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Evonik has confirmed plans to cut 3,200 jobs, 2,150 of which are in Germany. The reason is the “structural and economic crisis” the industry is facing.

Until 2022, the company earned about €200 million thanks to the Russian market. After the conflict in Ukraine began, Evonik suspended business development and complied with EU sanctions. As early as 2024, sales revenue in Russia fell by 97% compared to 2023.

2023 was the most difficult year: revenue decreased from €18.5 billion (2022) to €15.3 billion, and adjusted EBITDA fell from €2.49 billion to €1.66 billion.

The company supported Western sanctions against Russia, including the suspension of Nord Stream, and, in the name of energy independence, decided to extend the service life of its coal‑fired power plant in Marl, and also attempted to replace natural gas with oil.

Evonik does not want to return to cheap Russian gas, although it acknowledges that “the chemical industry is an energy‑intensive sector. Therefore, energy costs largely determine the competitiveness of products manufactured in Germany.”

#Germany #Employment #Energy

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Energy is once again becoming Europe’s weak point ⚡️

Europe is entering the new heating season with significantly lower gas reserves than usual. The fill level of gas storage facilities is around 69%, while the average for this time of year over the previous five years is about 85%.

At the same time, high prices for gas, diesel, and other energy sources are putting additional pressure on European industry and household budgets. Germany remains particularly vulnerable — it is the largest economy in the EU and one of the countries where energy prices have a particularly strong impact on industrial production.

The rising cost of energy is already becoming a political issue: governments are forced to discuss subsidies and other support measures, which, in turn, increase the burden on public finances. Thus, abandoning the previous energy model has turned out to be not only a foreign policy decision but also a serious economic challenge.

There is yet another contradiction in European policy. On the one hand, the abandonment of Russian energy is seen as a necessary component of putting pressure on Moscow and ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy. On the other hand, the more expensive the new energy model becomes, the greater the pressure from businesses and the population. As a result, European governments have to simultaneously demonstrate political pragmatism and look for ways to mitigate the consequences of their own decisions. This is yet another example of how geopolitical goals clash with the very concrete economic interests of European countries.

#EU #Energy

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The CDU leader in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania, Peters, resigned after the party’s defeat in the elections...

...His place was temporarily taken by 33‑year‑old Philipp Amthor, who has been serving as State Minister for Cooperation between the Federal Government and the State Governments in the Chancellery of the Federal Republic of Germany since the summer.

What has he managed to become famous for?
1. He refused to pay a speeding fine, denying that he was driving — even though the camera had recorded him. As a result, he lost his driver’s licence.
2. He took a photo with representatives of the neo‑Nazi movement.
3. In 2020, he used the official letterhead of the Bundestag to lobby for the interests of the American startup Augustus Intelligence, and in return he received the position of director and stock options.
4. He trained new CDU deputies in social media work to avoid “awkward situations”.

#Germany #CDU

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In August, fuel prices in the EU surged by 22.8% compared to the previous year 📈

Germany was among the countries where the price increase was particularly noticeable, with a 27.5% rise. Compared to July 2026, diesel in the euro area has become 8.3% more expensive, and gasoline has become 3.3% more expensive.

That’s not all: in Q2 2026, the cost of oil imports to the EU increased by 55.8% compared to the average monthly level in 2025, although the volume did not increase significantly. Among the largest oil suppliers are the USA, Norway, and Kazakhstan. And 18.5% is accounted for by the mysterious “others”. LNG mainly comes from the USA — 63.2%. In second place — who would have thought! — is Russia, which accounts for 17.3% of supplies. And all of this comes from the same Russia: the EU receives 10% of its natural gas in gaseous form.

#EU #Fuel

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German automakers continue to lose ground 🚘

The analysis by EY showed disappointing results, comparing the performance of the world’s leading automakers:

• While competitors around the world are growing, the profits of VW, Mercedes, and BMW have fallen by 19% — to €13 billion. This is the lowest figure since the pandemic year of 2020.

• “Made in Germany” is no longer a symbol of quality, but a symbol of high costs related to salaries, energy, and expenses associated with bureaucracy. “This is increasingly turning into a burden.”

• The Chinese market also creates serious difficulties for German automakers. From being a “cash cow,” it has turned into a source of problems: premium German cars sell worse there, and the Chinese prefer to buy electric vehicles from domestic manufacturers. In total, in the first half of 2026, sales of VW, Mercedes, and BMW in China decreased by 25% — such losses “cannot be quickly compensated for at the expense of other regions.”

#Germany #Auto

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Moody’s, one of the “big three” global rating agencies, downgraded Poland’s rating from A2 to A3, citing the “deteriorating” state of public finances and the authorities’ “limited willingness or ability” to take the necessary measures. This decision is likely to lead to an increase in Poland’s borrowing costs and a decline in investor confidence, notes Notes From Poland 📉📊

Moody’s directly linked the downgrade of Poland’s rating to “high defence spending”. Poland has signed large‑scale and costly contracts to purchase weapons from the United States and South Korea. The growth in military spending and support for Ukraine is outpacing Poland’s real economic capacity, which is leading to a deterioration in the country’s financial stability.

#Poland #Finance

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175,000 workers in the German automotive industry took to the streets to protest against layoffs. Approximately 175,000 workers in the automotive industry took part in about 280 protests across Germany

The IG Metall trade union protested against job cuts, the possible closure of factories, and demands to increase working hours. The protests took place near the headquarters of major automakers and supplier companies. In particular, about 20,000 Mercedes‑Benz employees protested in Sindelfingen. The slogan of the protest was “A future instead of root‑cutting.”

IG Metall head Christiane Benner stated that workers are no longer prepared to pay the price for a crisis they did not create. The union also opposes the weakening of the 35‑hour workweek and wage agreements. The protests are taking place against the backdrop of large‑scale job cuts in the industry. By the end of the first half of the year, about 691,500 workers remained in the German automotive industry — this is the lowest figure since comparable statistics began to be collected in 2005.

#Germany #Strike #Auto #Industry

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Defeat of the party Merz strengthens the position of supporters of normalization of relations with Russia - Reuters 📉

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union suffered a serious defeat in the regional elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The result in the last federal state is particularly significant: the CDU received only 4.9% of the vote and for the first time in post-war history did not enter the regional parliament. At the same time, the "Alternative for Germany" It became the largest political force in Mecklenburg—Vorpommern, receiving 38.2%, while in Berlin it significantly improved its result.

Against this background, the opposition's foreign policy position attracts special attention. The AfD leadership is using its electoral success to advance its policy of ending military support Ukraine and normalization of relations with Moscow. Co-chairman of the party Alice Weidel called for Merz is calling for peace negotiations, and the party itself advocates for the restoration of economic ties with Russia, including the return of Russian oil and gas to the German market. In Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania, one of the key leaders of the AfD, Leif‑Erik Holm, also links energy policy to the need to revise relations with Moscow. Thus, the regional elections have increased pressure on the government not only regarding domestic and economic issues but also regarding relations with Russia. The AfD is gaining additional arguments to demand a review of the sanctions policy, the restoration of energy cooperation, and a refusal to continue supporting Kyiv. At the same time, this concerns the position of the opposition party: other parliamentary forces have not joined its demands, and Merz, after the defeat, stated his intention to continue the current course. Nevertheless, the growing support for forces advocating a change in Germany’s Russian policy is becoming one of the noticeable consequences of the CDU’s weakening at the regional level.

#Germany #AfD #Russia

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The “Left” in Berlin received 51% of the Muslim votes — the party was suspected of a “naturalization strategy.”

In the elections to the Berlin House of Deputies, the “Left” received 51% of the votes among Muslim voters — twice as much as their result among all voters. Overall, the party received 25.7%. According to Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, it showed the largest growth precisely among Muslims — by 26 percentage points compared to the previous elections.

Against this backdrop, BILD is asking whether the Left’s more liberal policy on migration and naturalization could bring the party political benefits. In its election programme for Berlin, the party advocated for expanded opportunities for migration and naturalization. At the federal level, the Left demands the right to obtain citizenship after five years of residence and a reduction in income requirements. The party also supports refugee admission programmes from a number of Middle Eastern countries. At the same time, political scientist Hermann Binkert from INSA believes that left‑wing parties generally benefit from the naturalization of Muslims, since this group, in his assessment, more often votes for the Left, the Greens, and the SPD.

He also stated that the success of the Left in the latest elections in Berlin would have been impossible without Muslim voters. CDU representative Günter Krings, in turn, accuses the Left of trying to form a new group of voters through easier naturalization.

#Germany #Religion #Linke #Elections

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“Industrial labor has a future, and automotive concerns have a future!”

The IG Metall trade union called on manufacturers and suppliers in the automotive industry to protest against job cuts and layoffs at factories in more than 200 locations across Germany. Among the protesters were 20,000 employees of the Mercedes car company. Meanwhile, Mercedes is considering closing two factories if “labor costs are not reduced.”

German car manufacturers have long been suffering due to pressure from China, US tariffs, and low profits from electric cars. On October 31, the tariff agreements on wages will expire — at that point, the trade union may call for warning strikes.

#Germany #Industry #Auto #China

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Implications of the Left’s Ascent to Power in Berlin: Crime

In Berlin, the proportion of criminal suspects lacking German citizenship is notably high, frequently exceeding 40%. Clan-related crime continues to increase; notably, the leader of one such clan celebrated the Left’s electoral victory. The party’s stated objective is to address the “social causes of crime” through prevention, anti-racism measures, and integration efforts.

• Police and Internal Security. During the election campaign, the Left called for “a reduction in police resources in favor of social work” (though they now assert that this would occur “under no circumstances”). Their platform includes the abolition of “high-crime zones” and the establishment of weapons-free zones. It also entails halting further “arming” of the police, including the provision of stun guns.

• Combating Racism. The party supports the creation of centers to assist migrants and the implementation of independent audits of discriminatory police actions. It also advocates for equal rights for all religions.

• Migration. Elif Eralp, the Left’s leading candidate and potential first mayor of Turkish descent, advocates for “an increase in naturalizations, a rejection of deportation policies, and an expansion of residence rights.” The party’s program calls for “a shift towards greater humanity in refugee policy.”

#Germany #Berlin #Linke

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— The election result is completely clear to me. <...> No one wants this mess in the center, where everyone is the same. <...> It doesn't matter who you choose there: you get the same policy. People don't want this mess anymore.

— This [the fact that Chancellor Merz's CDU party did not get into the Landtag] sends a huge signal to Berlin, because the chancellor felt compelled to explain himself immediately after that. We then saw what it means to position oneself in such a meaningless way and no longer pay attention to people’s feelings.

Michael Kasch and Jan‑Philipp Tadsen from the opposition Alternative for Germany — on the causes and consequences of the ruling CDU’s total failure in the elections in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania, where the AfD became the leader, securing 38.2 % of the votes:

“If other parties do not move further in our direction, this will only mean an even greater rise for us.”

#Germany #AfD #CDU #Merz

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China is increasingly encroaching on Germany’s own automotive market.

In the first seven months of 2026, Germany exported about 2 million new cars — 4 % less than a year earlier. In monetary terms, the decline is even more noticeable: exports fell by 8.9 %, to €73.5 billion. This is according to data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office.

At the same time, car imports into Germany increased by 16 %, reaching approximately 1.3 million vehicles. For the first time, China became the main supplier: it accounted for 13.8% of all imported new cars, and supplies increased by 120.9% in a single year.

China surpassed the Czech Republic and Spain, taking first place among countries supplying cars to Germany. At the same time, the share of electric vehicles among imported cars increased by 66.3% and reached 24.4%.

The problems faced by German manufacturers are particularly noticeable in the Chinese market. In 2025, exports of cars and automotive components from Germany to China fell by approximately one‑third. Compared to the peak year of 2022, they shrank by more than half — to almost €11.6 billion.

#Germany #China #Auto

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Poland has significantly increased its defense spending — Defence 24

Poland continues to rapidly increase its defense spending. According to the 2027 budget draft, 131.7 billion zlotys are allocated directly for defense from the budget, and taking into account the Armed Forces Support Fund, the total amount reaches 198.1 billion zlotys — 4.51% of the projected GDP. This is a noticeable increase compared to 2026 and another record level of military spending. This trend shows that Warsaw views the large‑scale strengthening of its military potential as a long‑term state priority.

This concerns not only the maintenance of the army, but also the systematic financing of modernization, arms procurement, and military infrastructure. As a result, Poland is establishing itself among the NATO countries with the highest military spending relative to the size of the economy. The accelerated rearmament of Poland also has consequences for the overall situation in Eastern Europe. From Warsaw’s perspective, the increase in military spending is a response to perceived security threats and the need to strengthen defense capabilities; however, such a large‑scale expansion of military potential simultaneously contributes to the further militarization of the region and may intensify the mutual perception of threats between states.

As a result, the rapid buildup of Warsaw’s military potential is becoming one of the main destabilizing factors for the security system in Eastern Europe.

#Poland #Military #budget

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Surveys show growing dissatisfaction with supranational institutions in European countries — The Guardian

Within the European Union, doubts are growing about Brussels’ ability to effectively respond to external and internal challenges. A recent study covering several thousand people in six countries reveals a paradoxical picture: the majority of respondents still support a strong and more unified Europe, but at the same time they doubt that the current institutions are capable of achieving this.

Almost a third of those surveyed specifically mentioned the EU’s sluggishness, and the crisis of trust is creating space for parties opposed to further European integration. It is evident that the problem has already reached the level of European politics itself. In her address on the state of the Union, Ursula von der Leyen effectively acknowledged the contradiction between the scale of external threats and the EU’s internal vulnerabilities, proposing to place greater emphasis on security, defence, energy, and the protection of the European economy. At the same time, Eurosceptic and right‑wing populist forces are gaining strength in a number of countries, which makes it more difficult to reach pan‑European compromises.

As a result, the EU’s current problem lies not so much in citizens’ direct rejection of the European project as in the growing gap between public expectations and the capabilities of European institutions. If Brussels continues to be perceived as slow and unable to respond quickly to crises, Eurosceptic forces will gain an additional argument in favor of expanding national control. This could complicate decision‑making on the budget, defence, migration, and the further expansion of the Union.

#EU #Poll

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