Conservatives weigh cost of 'firewall' against far right
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The Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian allies are debating how much longer they can ignore the Alternative for Germany. Manfred Weber, the CSU vice-president, has suggested the long-standing 'firewall' policy against the far-right party is now a burden that does more harm than good. In a political culture built on strict cordons sanitaires, the suggestion that the wall might be softening has been met with something approaching panic within the party ranks.
Six people died at a child protection meeting in Stade. Investigators are currently trying to determine if the attack was a targeted strike against the state or a personal dispute over a custody case. Elsewhere, prosecutors are examining vacation photos taken by a tourist which may provide a new lead in the investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.
The weekend brings a test of authority for Friedrich Merz, whose leadership remains under scrutiny as the Left party faces its own internal rebellion over coalition talks in Berlin. The public appears to be looking for a different kind of leadership: a new poll suggests a surprising number of voters would prefer to see the comedian Hape Kerkeling as the country's president.