As campaigning draws to a close ahead of the first of five state elections this year, Berlin authorities have launched an investigation into an 18-year-old student suspected of defaming Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a demonstration. The incident, first reported by the left-wing newspaper Junge Welt alongside a photo on X (formerly Twitter), involved the teenager brandishing a poster with a vulgar slogan mocking the chancellor at a protest against increased military recruitment.
A police spokesman quoted by the DPA news agency stated that officers confiscated the sign and initiated a probe on suspicion of "slander and libel against persons in political life." Under German law, defamation applies when someone knowingly asserts or circulates untrue statements about another person that are likely to discredit them in public opinion. The nationwide action on Thursday, held under the motto "School Strike Against Conscription," saw thousands of young Germans take to the streets, fearing a potential return to compulsory military service, highlighting societal friction over defense policies.
Meanwhile, German media group Axel Springer has agreed to acquire Britain's historic Telegraph newspaper for £575 million (approximately €665 million). The deal involves Springer purchasing the Telegraph Media Group from investor RedBird IMI, a consortium backed by U.S. and Emirati interests. The Telegraph is one of Britain's oldest and most influential newspapers, and both sides claim the acquisition will preserve the brand's integrity while enabling expansion, particularly into the U.S. market, as part of Springer's strategy to bolster conservative media influence globally.
In Baden-Württemberg, the race for power has tightened days before voters go to the polls. A poll by "Forschungsgruppe Wahlen" for broadcaster ZDF showed the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Greens tied at 28%, with the Greens gaining three points over the past week and the CDU up one point after previously holding a clear lead. The Greens' surge is largely driven by their candidate Cem Özdemir—a former national government minister with political roots in the state—whom 47% of respondents prefer as minister-president, compared to only 24% for the CDU's lesser-known candidate Manuel Hagel, indicating shifting political dynamics in the region.
Official data revealed that natural gas generated a record share of Germany's electricity last year, while renewables slipped slightly. The Federal Statistical Office reported that gas-fired plants produced 70.6 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025, up 10.2% from a year earlier, accounting for 16.1% of total power generation—the highest share on record. Solar power also surged, reaching a record 16% of electricity output, but wind energy, though remaining the top source at 30%, declined slightly, raising concerns about the nation's energy transition and reliance on fossil fuels amid geopolitical uncertainties.
These developments underscore the challenges facing Germany as it navigates political polarization, media consolidation, and energy security issues. The investigation into the student reflects broader tensions over military policies, while the Telegraph acquisition points to the growing influence of corporate and foreign interests in media landscapes. With state elections imminent, the outcome in Baden-Württemberg could signal further instability in German politics, complicating governance and policy implementation in the coming months.
Source: www.dw.com