Germans Vote in Highstakes Election Watched Closely by Europe and Us

Voting begins in high-stakes German election watched closely by Europe and US

Conservative Friedrich Merz is expected to win, but the far-right AfD is set for a strong second place.

BBC News - 1h

Germans Are Voting. Here’s What to Watch For.

What Germans decide in national elections that are likely to produce a new chancellor will be of critical importance as Europe re-evaluates relations with the Trump administration.

The New York Times - 46m

More Germans living abroad registered to vote in upcoming election

Yahoo News - 1d

Final push for votes in Germany election as frontrunner vows to lead in Europe

Germany's rival political leaders take their fight for votes right to the last minute before a pivotal election.

BBC News - 19h

German federal election 2025: what’s at stake?

Everything you need to know about the parties, policies and voting in Sunday’s polls

Financial Times - 1d

Defending Europe without the US

European capitals are attempting to fill the security gap

Financial Times - 2d

German elections: When are they, what’s being decided and how that will impact markets

The election for the 630-seat Bundestag is taking place on Sunday, Feb. 23. It’s happening seven months early after a snap election was agreed.

MarketWatch - 2d

Willingness to ease off ‘debt brake’ may decide the German election

Rule dating from 2009 that limits borrowing looks vulnerable as main political parties promise to revive stalled economy. Germany is used to running its economy with the brake on. Ever since the ...

The Guardian - 1d

Germans head to the polls in critical election with far-right gains expected

Germans are voting in the 2025 federal election on Sunday, with a leadership change all but guaranteed.

CNBC - 48m

Discontented Germany votes in an election with economy, migration and far-right strength in focus

German voters are choosing their new government in an election dominated by worries about the years-long stagnation of Europe’s biggest economy, pressure to curb migration and growing uncertainty ...

ABC News - 3h

Shocked by Trump, Europe Turns Its Hopes to Germany’s Election

Germany’s economy is stalled and its politics fractured. But it sees an opening for a new chancellor to lead Europe’s response to a changing America.

The New York Times - 18h

Can Europe afford to defend itself without the US?

Also in this newsletter: The EU’s peace offering in Trump’s trade war

Financial Times - 2d

Ros Atkins on... why this week matters for Europe and the US

The BBC's Analysis editor takes a look back at this week - and what it tells us about how the US sees Europe.

BBC News - 1d

How to close loopholes on Chinese e-commerce and boost US retailers

A well-calibrated approach — one that prevents Shein and Temu from exploiting loopholes while incentivizing compliance and supporting vetted sellers on U.S. platforms — would best serve the United ...

The Hill - 18h

Germany’s Merz says Europe can no longer rely on US protection

Frontrunner for chancellor suggests possible nuclear co-operation with the UK and France

Financial Times - 1d

As US censorship industry collapses, the fight for free speech moves to Europe

The anti-free-speech movement is decamping to Europe, where free speech has been in decline for decades.

The Hill - 17h

Europe must secure Ukraine's future if US won't, ex-Army head says

Sir Nick Carter says "others are going to have to step up to the plate" if the US does not want to.

BBC News - 1d

Russia and US could meet again within weeks to discuss Ukraine, Moscow says – Europe live

Moscow and Washington held their first talks on ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine on Tuesday. Donald Trump’s shocking and mendacious attack this week on the Ukrainian president, ...

The Guardian - 19h

Remembering Liberty German and Abby Williams

Liberty German and Abby Williams's loved ones reflect on their lives and the impact they had on those around them.

NBC News - 1d

Germany’s watershed election

Domestic and international tensions as well as economic stagnation hang over Sunday’s Bundestag vote

Financial Times - 21h

The stock market closes out worst day of 2025

The stock market closed out the week with the worst day of 2025. The losses are coming amid growing concerns about economic growth. Elise Preston reports on how Americans are reacting.

CBS News - 7h

Capitol agenda: The Senate vote-a-rama is on

Politico - 2d

When Germany Votes, It Will Be About the Economy

The country’s competitiveness has stagnated and its once-powerful industries are suffering. Just ask these executives.

The New York Times - 1d

Friday Briefing: Germans Are Choosing New Leadership

Plus, volcano tourism in Sicily.

The New York Times - 2d

Birkenstock Loses Copyright Battle in German Court Ruling

The famous sandal company lost a battle over copyright law, leaving room for imitations to spawn.

The New York Times - 2d

Milei wins senate votes despite memecoin scandal

Libertarian secures electoral reform after his most difficult week since becoming Argentina’s president

Financial Times - 2d

USAID Climate Programs Fighting Extremism and Unrest Are Closing Down

Heat, drought and floods are growing security risks, Western defense officials say, feeding instability and violence that could prove costly in the long term.

The New York Times - 4d

Milliseconds to breach: How patch automation closes attackers’ fastest loophole

Patching shouldn't be the action item teams get to when other higher-priority tasks are completed. It's core to keeping a business alive.

VentureBeat - 2d

Russia Closes In on Another Ukrainian Region, Even as Peace Talks Pick Up

Russian troops are three miles from Dnipropetrovsk, a region they have never invaded. If they cross into it, the advance would be a morale blow to Ukraine and complicate any territorial negotiations.

The New York Times - 1d