Daily Briefing 23.05.2026, 16:50 (CEST)

German naturalizations top 300,000 for first time in 2025

Germany appears set to post another record number of naturalizations, with more than 309,000 people receiving German citizenship last year, according to data collected by Welt newspaper.

Zelensky rejects Merz proposal for special EU status for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his demand for full European Union membership after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed a special EU status for Kiev.

Goalkeeper Backhaus joins Freiburg from Bremen

Goalkeeper Mio Backhaus is joining Freiburg from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen, both clubs said on Saturday.

Bayern's Hoeness backs Eberl but also speaks of 'doubts'

Max Eberl is doing a good job as Bayern Munich board member for sport but it remains to be seen whether his contract will be renewed beyond 2027, honorary president Uli Hoeness has said.

German lawmakers say Taiwan ties ‘extremely important’ ahead of visit

A delegation of German lawmakers is travelling to Taiwan despite expected protests from Beijing, which claims the democratically governed island as part of China.

Ex-chancellor Scholz tipped to lead German body for Global South ties

Former German chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to head a government committee aimed at improving and intensifying relations with countries in the Global South, the Tagesspiegel daily reported.

German insolvencies stay level in February

The number of insolvency filings at Germany's local courts in February stayed roughly the same compared to last year, the Federal Statistical Office reported on Friday.

Latest data confirms 0.3% growth for Germany in first quarter

Germany's economy grew in the first quarter despite the war with Iran, the Federal Statistical Office confirmed on Friday as it released its latest figures.

German coach Sandro Schwarz returns to Dynamo Moscow

German coach Sandro Schwarz has returned to Dynamo Moscow despite Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and signed a contract until 2029.

Germany says some Gaza flotilla activists deported to Turkey injured

Several Gaza activists from Germany deported by Israel to Turkey were injured, a Foreign Office spokesman in Berlin said on Friday.