Skip next section Merz condemns increased Russian attacks on Ukraine
05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Merz condemns increased Russian attacks on Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on X Thursday said a wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine this week “send a clear message: Moscow is choosing escalation over negotiation.”
On Thursday, Russia unleased massive strikes across Ukraine for the third day in a row. Eight people in Kyiv, including a child, were killed when a Russian missile demolished an apartment building.
The day before, Russia fired some 800 drones at Ukrainian cities in what authorities said was Moscow’s largest-ever drone barrage since the war began. At least six people were reported killed.
Negotiations aimed at bringing the conflict to an end have stalled, as the attention of Washington is on the Iran war.
With Washington absent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been looking more towards European allies like Germany.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DloU
Skip next section Merz lashes out at EU subsidies amid bloc budget talks05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Merz lashes out at EU subsidies amid bloc budget talks
The German chancellor made his statements during a ceremony awarding the Charlemagne Prize to former European Central Bank President Mario DraghiImage: Jens Krick/Flashpic/picture alliance
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday urged the European Union to introduce budget reforms which involve more investments and less subsidies, as the 27-nation bloc wrangles over its 2028-2034 budget.
In a speech in the western German city of Aachen at the ceremony awarding the Charlemagne Prize to former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, Merz criticized the EU budget for having “remained, in its content and structure, practically unchanged over the past decades.”
What did Merz exactly say about the EU budget?
“We cannot meet the challenges of the 21st century with a 20th-century budget,” the conservative leader said, supporting Draghi’s calls on the bloc to change course in terms of its budget to be able to stay in the race against the US and China.
He was particularly critical of the fact that “more than two-thirds of European funds go to redistribution and subsidies,” a staple of the EU’s spending policy in order to alleviate the impact from disruptions due to reduced trade barriers within the bloc, as well as aiding poorer nations with integrating into the EU.
The German chancellor called on the EU to introduce budget cuts while simultaneously boosting investments in the field of defense.
He nevertheless stressed he was opposed to Draghi’s suggestion to use joint borrowing by EU nations to fund investments.
“Excessive indebtedness threatens sovereignty and limits the capacity to act,” said Merz.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DlYq
Skip next section Wüst warns against underestimating AfD risks
05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Wüst warns against underestimating AfD risks
North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst has warned against downplaying the risks of a further rise of the Alternative for Germany.
He said at the Catholic Congress in Würzburg that suggestions the party should be allowed to govern so it can “discredit itself” are “very dangerous.”
Wüst pointed to Germany’s history, saying similar assumptions had been made about Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. He said it was not the extremists who disappeared, but freedoms such as press liberty and judicial independence within a short time.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, both conservative-affiliated political foundations, Wüst also stressed the importance of churches in society.
“We need the churches to serve as bridge-builders within society as well,” Wüst added. Among many other vital tasks, he said, this includes interreligious dialogue as well as the instilling of values in kindergartens and schools.
“Vibrant churches are foundational pillars of a democratic and cohesive society, and it is my hope that this will remain so.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5Dl8u
Skip next section Alcohol-related crashes spike on Father’s Day
05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Alcohol-related crashes spike on Father’s Day
The day is marked by celebrations outdoors, often involving heavy drinkingImage: Moritz Frankenberg/dpa/picture alliance
Alcohol-related accident risks in Germany spike sharply on Ascension Day, German Father’s Day, with experts warning they are around three times higher than on a normal day.
The German Road Safety Council said drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in crashes under the influence, citing 284 alcohol-related accidents nationwide on the holiday last year, with dozens seriously injured.
The holiday is widely marked by outdoor gatherings and celebrations, where heavy drinking is common, contributing to higher risks on the roads.
The council urged people to avoid alcohol entirely when driving or cycling, stressing that even small amounts can impair judgment and reaction times.
The ADAC echoed the warning, saying many underestimate how quickly alcohol affects driving ability, with noticeable impairment starting from 0.5 blood alcohol concentration and increased aggression adding to the risk.
Police had already reported multiple stops and incidents overnight into Thursday. In the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a driver crashed into a tree and fled before being detained and found to have a high blood alcohol level.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Dl4K
Skip next section Merkel advises ‘fearless’ approach toward Trump
05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Merkel advises ‘fearless’ approach toward Trump
Merkel in a photograph that became famous, with other world leaders including Trump. FILE: 09.06.2018.Image: Jesco Denzel/Bundesregierung/dpa/picture alliance
On dealing with US President Donald Trump, the former chancellor advised identifying common ground while otherwise acting “without fear.”
She said: “Not trying especially hard to please him — at least I never had any illusions about that, even when things were going well — nor trying to be especially provocative: that was how I handled it.”
Merkel warned against underestimating Trump: “Anyone who has reached positions like these simply has an incredible amount of power. And that is why it must be taken very, very seriously.”
https://p.dw.com/p/5Dkck
Skip next section Merkel urges more tolerance from public and politicians
05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Merkel urges more tolerance from public and politicians
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to fairly assess the coalition government amid widespread public dissatisfaction with its performance.
The government’s approval ratings, however, have steadily declined since it took office just over a year ago. In some recent surveys, more than 80% of respondents in some polls expressed dissatisfaction with its work.
Merkel, who served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021, did not want to comment in detail on the policies of the Union-SPD coalition. But she stressed: “I wish this government success.”
“Every citizen should, with moderation and balance — those were always my favorite words — try to appreciate what the government has already achieved,” the former CDU leader told the news magazine Focus. “It is not as though nothing at all has happened.”
Merkel also urged greater tolerance of debates within government. “Today, every debate is immediately described as ‘infighting,'” Merkel said in comments to the Focus news magazine. “I believe politicians must make clear that there is no solution-finding process that does not involve some kind of debate.”
She also advised current Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show “a generous spirit” toward his conservative bloc’s coalition partners, the center-left Social Democrats.
A look back on Merkel’s 16 years as chancellor
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DkdC
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage05/14/2026May 14, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
It’s traditional in Germany for men, including fathers, to head off with friends on Ascenscion ThursdayImage: Stefan Puchner/dpa/picture alliance
Guten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn.
You join us on German Father’s Day, when men across the nation are expected to celebrate fatherhood by leaving their families behind to go and drink with friends.
Meanwhile, former Chancellor Angela Merkel has been chatting to a popular news magazine about politics and personal life.
Stick with us for these and other stories that Germany is talking about.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Dkcb
