Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt may face legal issues after he appeared to accuse Elif Eralp of the Left Party of antisemitism. The domestic intelligence agency BfV has issued warnings regarding research cooperation with China. This article provides a summary of the latest news from Germany as of September 28, 2026.
Hendrik Wüst, the conservative leader of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), has begun a three-day visit to Turkey to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 1961 agreement that allowed Turkish guest workers to work in West Germany. Wüst, seen as a potential successor to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emphasized the importance of Turkish citizens in NRW, where approximately one-third of the 3 million people of Turkish origin in Germany reside. His itinerary includes a visit to a Henkel plant in Ankara and a meeting with Turkish business leaders.
As October approaches, water levels in the River Rhine remain critically low, with readings in Cologne dropping to 40 centimeters (just under 16 inches) on Monday morning, marking a new low-water record. This follows a dry September and has raised concerns for commercial shipping along the river, which is vital for transporting goods, including coal and fuel. The WSV river agency has issued low water level warnings for several major rivers in Germany.
In recent municipal elections in Lower Saxony, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) failed to secure any senior posts. Incumbent mayors from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and independent candidates won decisively against AfD candidates in multiple cities.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is visiting the Netherlands to discuss the EU's planned budget and military cooperation, including support for Ukraine. He will also meet with officials from the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid increasing pressure from the US regarding its relationship with the court.
The BfV has warned that collaboration between German research institutions and Chinese universities could lead to espionage risks. The agency highlighted concerns over technology transfer in sensitive areas such as quantum technologies and AI.
Elif Eralp, a Left Party politician who may become Berlin's next mayor, has filed a criminal complaint against Dobrindt for allegedly defaming her by calling her an 'antisemite.' The complaint claims that Dobrindt's remarks, made during a television talk show, constitute defamation. Eralp has condemned antisemitism and affirmed Israel's right to exist, while some observers suggest that the accusations against her party are politically motivated.