Germany

Alexander Schweitzer has taken over as Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, succeeding Bärbel Bas after her resignation on October 12. Bas, who also stepped down from the Social Democratic Party leadership, cited personal reasons and a series of public attacks from within the governing coalition. Schweitzer moves to the federal cabinet from his role as Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The transition arrives as the Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, continues to face friction from his junior partners. The Berlin branch of the SPD is currently at odds with the federal party over the proposed nationalization of housing companies, while Merz himself was met with a blunt demand for his resignation during a Young Union event. In a separate security lapse, police were forced to close the north runway at Leipzig Airport after a vehicle drove through a perimeter fence.

Intelligence reform is also on the table, with the agency’s president arguing that the BND requires expanded powers to review classified documents and access buildings. While the government presents these as necessary updates, the moves coincide with a period of domestic strain, including a fatal attack at a senior home in Olfen and an analysis suggesting many German airports are falling behind in flight volume.