Financial Times

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats, conceded that Christian Democrats "no longer have satisfactory answers to far too many questions."

“Christian Democrats “no longer have satisfactory answers to far too many questions”, their leader conceded.”

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), once the party of Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Angela Merkel, was "only in some respects" still a broad-based people's party.

“The once mighty party of Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel was “only in some respects” still a broad-based people’s party.”

Friedrich Merz promptly sought to prevent a revolt by insisting he would continue as chancellor with the support of party leaders.

“This time Merz promptly set out to pre-empt any revolt, combatively insisting he would carry on as chancellor with the support of party barons.”

If Hendrik Wüst can lead his party to victory in elections in his home state of North Rhine-Westphalia in April 2027, his claim to leadership would be difficult to resist.

“If Wüst can steer his party to victory in elections in his home state in April, his claim would be hard to fend off.”

Angela Merkel was more popular than Friedrich Merz is now and had served 13 years as German leader.

“But Merkel was far more popular at that point than Merz is now and had 13 years as German leader under her belt.”

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) was wiped out in the north-eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on Sunday, failing to win seats in a regional parliament for the first time since the Federal Republic's founding in 1949.

“The CDU on Sunday was wiped out altogether in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the first time it has failed to win seats in a regional parliament since the founding of the Federal Republic in 1949.”

Friedrich Merz described the results of the September 2026 state elections as a "disaster" for himself and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

“It was, Merz said, a “dramatic” outcome with long-lasting repercussions for his party.”

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) was the dominant political force in Berlin for decades until losing city hall to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 2023.

“The CDU also lost power in Berlin, which is now likely to be led by the far left.”

The AfD party won a regional election in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt in early September 2026.

“The double defeat followed a crushing loss to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month.”

The C.D.U.'s national leadership has long rejected working with the AfD.

Russia is raising taxes to fund its war in Ukraine.

“Russia raises taxes to fund its war in Ukraine”

Moscow will increase the dividend tax on foreign investors.

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The US, France, and the UK are among countries that now spend more on debt servicing than on defence.

The world's interest bill is $2 trillion.

“The world’s $2tn interest bill”

Germany and Italy pressed to bring $245bn of gold home from US

“Germany and Italy pressed to bring $245bn of gold home from US”