A new INSA poll for Bild am Sonntag found that 69 percent of Germans expect the far-right AfD to win at least one state premiership in the autumn elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin, with 28 percent expecting wins in several states and only 16 percent expecting none. The party leads polls in Saxony-Anhalt at 41 percent ahead of the September 6 vote and has drawn up plans to fill 150 to 200 top administrative posts there. Germans split on how to respond -- 40 percent favoured CDU cooperation with the Left Party to block an AfD government against 36 percent backing CDU-AfD cooperation, and 47 percent opposed banning the party while 38 percent supported a ban.

Germany's Greens and the CDU are signaling a potential rapprochement, driven by the weakening of the SPD and FDP ahead of the next federal election. Green co-leader Franziska Brantner praised CDU figures Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Wolfgang Schäuble, while CDU officials note that many former conflict issues have been resolved. However, significant differences remain on climate and migration policy.

Germany's governing coalition is embroiled in a dispute over the planned BAföG student financial aid reform. Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) stated the reform lacks coalition support and may not pass, citing budget constraints and suggesting students could work part-time. The SPD strongly contradicted her, insisting the reform is agreed and funded, and warning the Union not to cause chaos. The reform, which includes raising the housing allowance and adjusting the basic need rate, was agreed in the coalition contract but faces uncertainty after CDU faction leader Jens Spahn also questioned its feasibility. The Greens and Left Party criticized Bär, warning of worsening student poverty.

Germany's pension commission is deliberating reforms, with the CDU proposing to link the retirement age to rising life expectancy. The Left Party warns this would disproportionately harm people in regions with lower life expectancy, such as eastern Germany, and low-income workers, citing data from the German Labor and Social Affairs Ministry showing significant regional disparities in life expectancy. For example, men in Baden-Württemberg live 18.6 years beyond 65, while in Saxony-Anhalt they live only 16.56 years, a gap of over two years. The Left argues that such a policy would penalize people in structurally weak regions and those with low income or education.

German defense company Quantum Systems, a major supplier of Vector reconnaissance drones to Ukraine, is developing an experimental electric drone capable of over 650 km/h using battery cells from Porsche subsidiary V4Smart GmbH. The technology aims to produce a high-speed interceptor to counter Russian Shahed-style drones. Quantum Systems operates production facilities in Ukraine and runs 24/7 operator support.

Germany's Federal Finance Ministry released a monitoring report on the use of a €500 billion special fund for infrastructure. In 2025, 74% of allocated federal investment funds were disbursed. Progress is noted in digitalization and housing, but slower implementation is reported in energy infrastructure, R&D, and transport.

On World No Tobacco Day, German drug commissioner Hendrik Streeck and other health politicians demand a significant increase in tobacco and e-cigarette taxes to deter rising youth smoking and vaping. They cite a new study showing nearly 10% of 12-17 year olds now use nicotine products, up from 6% in 2021. The WHO also urges stronger protections for young people against nicotine products.