German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany was expected and that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security. The Pentagon's announcement came amid a public rift between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war in Iran.
Ramstein Mayor Ralf Hechler told DW that the town anticipated the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from the US air base. “We don’t have any fear,” he said, noting the base is the largest American community outside the US, hosting about 45,000 soldiers and their families—totaling some 54,000 US citizens—and contributing $2 billion (€1.7 billion) annually to the region.
Hechler alleged that Trump was withdrawing troops for political reasons, despite Pentagon claims of technical grounds. “This is what the president uses to try to punish Germany,” he said, adding that Trump had previously punished France, Britain, Italy, and Spain. “If you want to be a good partner and maintain an alliance, you cannot talk like the president does right now,” he emphasized.
Pistorius downplayed the move, saying it was “expected” and that Germany is “on the right track” with measures to expand its armed forces and accelerate military procurement. The Pentagon also canceled a long-range fires battalion deployment, dealing a blow to Berlin’s hopes for deterrence against Russia.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the CDU and SPD approved a coalition agreement, ending 35 years of SPD-led governments. The CDU won 39 seats, the SPD 32, and the far-right AfD became the largest opposition party with 24 seats.
Police reported that mostly peaceful May Day rallies in Berlin were marred by evening violence, with leftist demonstrators throwing objects at officers, injuring at least 10. About 60 arrests were made.
A Forsa poll found 67% of Germans believe social behavior is declining, with top concerns being insults and lack of respect (86%), aggressiveness (81%), selfishness (79%), and intolerance (76%).
“Timmy,” a humpback whale stranded for weeks in northern Germany, was freed in the North Sea after a rescue funded by two millionaire entrepreneurs. However, his survival remains uncertain due to deteriorated health.
Source: www.dw.com