Germany news: Bundestag passes major drone deal

DW News · Feb 25, 2026 · Collected from RSS

Full Article

Skip next section Bundestag passes resolution in support of UkraineFebruary 25, 2026Bundestag passes resolution in support of UkraineThe Bundestag, the lower chamber of the German parliament, reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine by passing a motion proposed by the ruling coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD. The motion stated that Germany defends freedom, democracy, and the rules-based world order beyond its borders. "Accepting land grabs and violence in Europe would set a precedent for other states around the world to pursue revisionist or territorial expansionist policies," it said. "We must achieve a lasting and just peace," Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, adding that Ukraine will only be able to achieve such a peace from a position of strength. Against this backdrop, the Bundestag advocated providing Ukraine with sufficient weapons, ammunition, and equipment, as well as tightening EU sanctions against Russia to reduce Moscow's revenues, particularly from oil. The opposition voted unanimously against the motion. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the Left Party accused the coalition of placing too much emphasis on the military aspect. The Green Party criticized the resolution for not going far enough. https://p.dw.com/p/59Q75Skip next section German parliamentary committee passes EU asylum reformsFebruary 25, 2026German parliamentary committee passes EU asylum reformsGerman parliament's Internal Affairs Committee passed two government draft laws for the implementation of a revamped EU-wide asylum policy, including one that will allow applicants to begin working sooner. Another change will allow children and other young people to attend school within at most two months of filing an asylum application. The number of asylum applicants in Germany has declined since mid-2023. Initial applications fell to around 113,000 last year from almost 230,000 in 2024. The Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is expected to be fully implemented by June this year. The German parliament is to vote on the issue on Friday. https://p.dw.com/p/59Py2Skip next section Germany should investigate Iranian crackdown on protesters, open letter arguesFebruary 25, 2026Germany should investigate Iranian crackdown on protesters, open letter arguesProminent German-Iranian dual nationals are calling on German prosecutors to launch an investigation into the sweeping government repression against anti-regime protesters. Mass protests swept Iran in January over worsening economic conditions and state failures, sparking calls for an end to the country's clerical leadership. The government responded by suppressing those protests, with security forces opening fire on anti-government protesters. In an open letter to Die Zeit newspaper released ahead of its publication on Thursday, writer Navid Kermani and around 70 other dual nationals pointed to a report by Time magazine suggesting that 30,000 people were killed by Iranian security forces on January 8 and 9 alone. "These figures are considered realistic not only by human rights organizations, but also by the German government and other Western governments," the letter argues. According to official figures, more than 3,000 people were killed in the unrest in Iran between late December and early January. The signatories of the open letter argue that the killings are comprehensively documented by countless video recordings, eyewitness accounts, as well as information leaking out from within the state apparatus. The letter suggests that the evidence points to a planned, nationwide campaign by the state leadership to break the Iranian people's desire for freedom. "Those responsible for these inconceivable crimes must be held accountable," the letter argued. New protests erupt across Iran's universitiesTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59Py5Skip next section Budget panel approves drone deal for Lithuania brigadeFebruary 25, 2026Budget panel approves drone deal for Lithuania brigadeGermany's parliamentary Budget Committee has approved major contracts to equip the German military with thousands of combat drones made in Germany as part of deterrence efforts against Russia. The committee approved a scaled-down scheme for the Bundeswehr, capping the overall framework well below the level originally sought by the Defense Ministry. It cleared large-scale orders for defense startups Helsing, based in Munich, and Berlin-based Stark Defence. The drones are intended for the Bundeswehr brigade stationed in Lithuania and involve so-called loitering munitions, unmanned aircraft that hover over a target until an operator orders an attack, either releasing explosives or crashing into the target. The initial contract is valued at about €536 million (about $630 million), with an option to expand into the billions. Under a requirement set by Chief of Defense Carsten Breuer, the systems are to be operational in Lithuania by 2027. The proposals were approved by the governing Union and SPD parties, while the Greens and the Left criticized the deal, particularly over the involvement of US investor Peter Thiel in Stark Defence. Thiel is known for his funding of far-right political candidates.Rheinmetall boosts NATO defenses with Baltic weapons plantTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59PSRSkip next section Far-right AfD rises to second place in Berlin pollFebruary 25, 2026Far-right AfD rises to second place in Berlin pollThe far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has climbed to second place in a new poll ahead of Berlin's state election, marking the first time it has ranked so highly in the capital city-state. An Insa survey for the daily Bild put the conservative Christian Democrat (CDU) of incumbent Mayor Kai Wegner at 22%, followed by the AfD at 17%. The center-left Social Democrats (SPD) stood at 16%, with the Greens and the socialist Left Party each at 15%. The business-focused Free Democrats (FDP) and the populist left BSW were both below the 5% threshold at 4%, while other parties together accounted for 7%. Based on these figures, the current CDU-SPD coalition would lack a majority. Potential alternatives could include three-party alliances such as CDU-SPD-Greens or SPD-Greens-Left. Two other polls in January also showed the CDU at 22%, with the SPD, Left Party, Greens, and AfD clustered between 14% and 18%. All four parties are seeking to overtake the CDU in the September 20 vote. In the 2023 repeat election for Berlin's state parliament, the CDU won 28.2% of second votes, ahead of the SPD and Greens at 18.4% each, with the SPD narrowly ahead. The Left Party received 12.2%, the AfD 9.1%, and the FDP failed to enter parliament with 4.6%.Young, far-right and radical? Meet the AfD's future leadersTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59PLeSkip next section Prosecutors drop case over Merz 'Pinocchio' remarkFebruary 25, 2026Prosecutors drop case over Merz 'Pinocchio' remarkProsecutors in Heilbronn have dropped proceedings against a Facebook user who called Chancellor Friedrich Merz "Pinocchio," citing freedom of expression. The Heilbronn Prosecutor's Office said the remark qualifies as permissible criticism of those in power and is protected by free speech, adding that another case over the same term has also been discontinued. The reference appeared under a local police Facebook post during Merz's October visit to Heilbronn, which drew nearly 400 comments. Authorities said 38 posts are still under review for possible criminal content. Pinocchio first appeared in 1883 in a novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi and was later adapted into a 1940 animated film by Disney. The character is known for his nose growing whenever he lies. The original police post related to a temporary flight ban imposed during the chancellor’s visit. Merz is currently visiting China. Find out more about his visit here in our blog. https://p.dw.com/p/59OsISkip next section Germany unveils action plan against organized crimeFebruary 25, 2026Germany unveils action plan against organized crimeGermany's government has approved a new action plan aimed at cracking down on organized crime by targeting money laundering, speeding up asset seizures, and strengthening coordination between authorities. The Cabinet adopted the package on Wednesday, with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil calling it a "gamechanger" in the fight against crime. Under the plan, assets such as luxury cars and villas suspected of coming from dubious sources can be seized more quickly, with potential suspects required to prove they were legally acquired. Klingbeil said the goal is to hurt criminals financially while reinforcing public trust in the rule of law. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt added that authorities are hitting organized crime "where it hurts most — in the pocket." Customs authorities and the Federal Criminal Police Office will be able to access each other’s data and analyze it using artificial intelligence. Investigators will receive expanded digital powers to scan large datasets with AI to better identify suspects.German companies face rising cybercrimeTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video https://p.dw.com/p/59OkhSkip next section Two workers killed in wind turbine fall in HesseFebruary 25, 2026Two workers killed in wind turbine fall in HesseTwo workers have died after falling from a great height inside a wind turbine under construction in eastern Hesse. Police said the two 32-year-old men were working in a suspended basket near the top of the turbine tower in Birstein when it plunged to the ground early Wednesday morning. Emergency services were alerted after colleagues heard a loud impact and ca