Germany
🇩🇪 Germany’s political landscape faces a seismic shift as Chancellor Scholz sacks Finance Minister Lindner, signaling the end of his coalition. With budget battles, economic stagnation, and a surging far-right, Scholz’s minority government gambles on conservative support.
🇭🇷 Croatia strikes major deal to buy 50 modern Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany, enabling transfer of 60 Soviet-era vehicles to Ukraine. Agreement strengthens NATO standards and includes German funding for spare parts and ammo support.
🇩🇪 AfD party launches brazen attack on iconic Bauhaus design movement ahead of its centenary, calling it “globally homogenous porridge” - echoing Nazi-era cultural targeting as far-right weaponizes architecture in latest culture war salvo.
🇩🇪 Germany is stepping back while Britain leads the charge on supplying Eurofighter jets to Turkey. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the project is still in its early stages, with the UK taking point in a potential deal with NATO ally and “strongman” Erdogan.
🇨🇭 Switzerland, famously neutral, has signed onto the European Sky Shield Initiative—a significant departure from its traditional stance. The unified air and missile defense system, led by Germany in response to Russia’s violent aggression, offers Europe a chance to streamline defense resources.