Draghi accepts the Charlemagne Prize as Merz uses the laudatio to demand an EU-budget overhaul
Mario Draghi accepted the 2026 Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, telling Merz, ECB chief Christine Lagarde and Greek PM Mitsotakis that 'we are truly alone together' for the first time in living memory, and renewed his €1.2-trillion call for AI, defence and energy spending. Merz used the laudatio — and a Bundestag debate earmarking €11.5 billion for Ukraine — to demand a 'fundamental modernisation' of an EU budget still routing two-thirds into redistribution. The German Institute for Human Rights warned AfD ideology poses a manifest danger to people with disabilities.
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Draghi accepts 2026 Charlemagne Prize with stark Europe warning: 'we are truly alone together'
Mario Draghi was awarded the 2026 International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen on Thursday, telling Chancellor Friedrich Merz, ECB President Christine Lagarde and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that 'for the first time in living memory, we are truly alone together' and that the United States 'may no longer guarantee our security'. He reiterated the call from his 2024 report on European competitiveness — whose annual price tag has since risen to €1.2 trillion — for concentrated spending on AI, defence and energy infrastructure, and warned that EU committees water down agreements until the result is 'worse than inaction'. In his laudatio, Merz endorsed the diagnosis but rejected new joint EU borrowing on German constitutional grounds, and called for redirecting the bloc's 2028-2034 budget away from redistribution and subsidies, which still absorb more than two-thirds of EU spending; the European Commission has proposed a frame of about €1.76 trillion.
German Human Rights Institute Warns AfD Poses Danger to People with Disabilities
The German Institute for Human Rights (DIMR) warns that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) poses a danger to people with disabilities, stating that their devaluation is a manifest part of the party's ideology. In a new analysis, DIMR author Hendrik Cremer argues the party has radicalized since its founding and pursues a homogeneous national community that excludes less capable or unhealthy individuals. The report cites specific AfD statements, including a 2018 parliamentary query linking disability to migration and inbreeding, and remarks by Thuringian leader Björn Höcke calling inclusion a burden.
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de33Germany's BfV selects French ChapsVision software over US-based Palantir for data analysis
Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has chosen a data analysis system from French company ChapsVision instead of US-based Palantir, citing digital sovereignty and operational needs. The decision, reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR, has not been officially confirmed. Civil society groups welcome the move but warn against automated data analysis tools regardless of origin, citing fundamental rights concerns. The BfV requires AI-based tools for counterintelligence and counterterrorism, and the federal government is drafting legal reforms to expand agencies' technical capabilities. The Left party and the German Society for Civil Rights (GFF) have raised constitutional concerns, with pending complaints against similar software use in Hesse and Bavaria.
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Germany's BfV selects French ChapsVision software over US-based Palantir for data analysis
Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has chosen a data analysis system from French company ChapsVision instead of US-based Palantir, citing digital sovereignty and operational needs. The decision, reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR, has not been officially confirmed. Civil society groups welcome the move but warn against automated data analysis tools regardless of origin, citing fundamental rights concerns. The BfV requires AI-based tools for counterintelligence and counterterrorism, and the federal government is drafting legal reforms to expand agencies' technical capabilities. The Left party and the German Society for Civil Rights (GFF) have raised constitutional concerns, with pending complaints against similar software use in Hesse and Bavaria.
Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has chosen a data analysis system from French company ChapsVision instead of US-based Palantir, citing digital sovereignty and operational needs. The decision, reported by Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR, has not been officially confirmed. Civil society groups welcome the move but warn against automated data analysis tools regardless of origin, citing fundamental rights concerns. The BfV requires AI-based tools for counterintelligence and counterterrorism, and the federal government is drafting legal reforms to expand agencies' technical capabilities. The Left party and the German Society for Civil Rights (GFF) have raised constitutional concerns, with pending complaints against similar software use in Hesse and Bavaria.
de28Angela Merkel urges patience and tolerance toward German coalition government, warns against underestimating Trump
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a Focus interview published May 14, 2026, called on the public to judge the coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz with 'moderation and balance' amid widespread dissatisfaction. She defended compromise as essential, criticized the tendency to label political debate as 'conflict', and advised Merz to show a 'generous spirit' toward coalition partners. Merkel also warned against underestimating US President Donald Trump, advising a 'fearless' approach. Separately, North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst warned against downplaying risks from the far-right AfD, and Chancellor Merz criticized the EU budget for relying too heavily on subsidies while opposing joint EU borrowing.
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Angela Merkel urges patience and tolerance toward German coalition government, warns against underestimating Trump
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a Focus interview published May 14, 2026, called on the public to judge the coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz with 'moderation and balance' amid widespread dissatisfaction. She defended compromise as essential, criticized the tendency to label political debate as 'conflict', and advised Merz to show a 'generous spirit' toward coalition partners. Merkel also warned against underestimating US President Donald Trump, advising a 'fearless' approach. Separately, North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst warned against downplaying risks from the far-right AfD, and Chancellor Merz criticized the EU budget for relying too heavily on subsidies while opposing joint EU borrowing.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a Focus interview published May 14, 2026, called on the public to judge the coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz with 'moderation and balance' amid widespread dissatisfaction. She defended compromise as essential, criticized the tendency to label political debate as 'conflict', and advised Merz to show a 'generous spirit' toward coalition partners. Merkel also warned against underestimating US President Donald Trump, advising a 'fearless' approach. Separately, North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst warned against downplaying risks from the far-right AfD, and Chancellor Merz criticized the EU budget for relying too heavily on subsidies while opposing joint EU borrowing.
de15Merkel's compromise style criticized as hindering Merz's reform agenda
An opinion piece argues that Angela Merkel's advice to Friedrich Merz to show a 'wide heart' toward coalition partners reflects the flaws of her own governance. It contends that major historical decisions were made through firm leadership, not compromise, and that Merkel's legacy of unrealistic policies in migration, finance, energy, climate, and defense has fueled the rise of the AfD. The article advises Merz to prioritize clear decision-making over compromise.
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Merkel's compromise style criticized as hindering Merz's reform agenda
An opinion piece argues that Angela Merkel's advice to Friedrich Merz to show a 'wide heart' toward coalition partners reflects the flaws of her own governance. It contends that major historical decisions were made through firm leadership, not compromise, and that Merkel's legacy of unrealistic policies in migration, finance, energy, climate, and defense has fueled the rise of the AfD. The article advises Merz to prioritize clear decision-making over compromise.
An opinion piece argues that Angela Merkel's advice to Friedrich Merz to show a 'wide heart' toward coalition partners reflects the flaws of her own governance. It contends that major historical decisions were made through firm leadership, not compromise, and that Merkel's legacy of unrealistic policies in migration, finance, energy, climate, and defense has fueled the rise of the AfD. The article advises Merz to prioritize clear decision-making over compromise.
de13Thuringia's coalition model offers lessons for Merz's federal government
Thuringian Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) has stabilized a coalition with the BSW and SPD, ending political chaos in the state. The article analyzes how Voigt's consensus-driven, non-confrontational style contrasts with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's polarizing approach, and suggests that Thuringia's experience managing the far-right AfD could inform federal strategy.
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Thuringia's coalition model offers lessons for Merz's federal government
Thuringian Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) has stabilized a coalition with the BSW and SPD, ending political chaos in the state. The article analyzes how Voigt's consensus-driven, non-confrontational style contrasts with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's polarizing approach, and suggests that Thuringia's experience managing the far-right AfD could inform federal strategy.
Thuringian Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) has stabilized a coalition with the BSW and SPD, ending political chaos in the state. The article analyzes how Voigt's consensus-driven, non-confrontational style contrasts with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's polarizing approach, and suggests that Thuringia's experience managing the far-right AfD could inform federal strategy.