Daily Briefing 18.05.2026, 16:17 (CEST)

G7 finance ministers to discuss Iran war at Paris meeting

Finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations are set to meet in Paris from Monday to discuss the economic impact of the Iran war and the blockade of the Str...

Germany net exporter of energy for the first time since 2023

For the first time since 2023, Germany delivered more electricity abroad than it imported in the first quarter, the Federal Network Agency said on Monday.

Expert council casts doubt on German government emissions projections

German government projections on greenhouse gas emissions are overly optimistic, a council of experts tasked with monitoring climate policy said on Monday.

German parliamentarians set to suspend €497 salary hike

A €497 ($578) increase in the €12,330 monthly salary of politicians in Germany's lower house of parliament or Bundestag that was to start on July 1 will be suspended, a senior member of Cha...

Commerzbank rejects UniCredit takeover bid as 'not adequate'

Commerzbank is rejecting the latest takeover offer from Italy's UniCredit as "not adequate," the major German banking group said in Frankfurt on Monday.

Building permits up in Germany, but Iran war feared to slow trend

Building permits were up in Germany in the first quarter, according to official figures published on Monday, in what marked a ray of hope for the country struggling with a sustained housing...

Research: More voter support for AfD despite its move further right

German voters' willingness to back the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has risen sharply, according to extremism researcher Gideon Botsch, even though in his view the party is...

Report: Germany to invest billions in civil defence

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government plans to significantly expand civil defence and population protection capacities in response to security threats.

Elversberg promoted to Bundesliga, Paderborn into play-offs

Elversberg secured promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time with a 3-0 win against Preussen Münster in the final matchday of the second division on Sunday.

Flag row: German parliament marks International Day against Homophobia

A rainbow flag was flying over the German parliament building in Berlin on Sunday to mark the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.