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Germany News: Police Raid AfD Politician's Residence
Prosecutors in Thuringia stated that police conducted searches at three locations, although the arrest of the unidentified politician is not being pursued. In the meantime, the ruling coalition has reached an agreement on a new military service policy. okay1has more.
In the eastern state of Thuringia, public prosecutors mentioned that law enforcement officers conducted a search at the residence of an unidentified AfD representative, who is accused of backing a far-right organization involved in planning the abduction of Germany's health minister and other illegal activities.
The individuals suspected of leading the scheme were imprisoned following a long trial earlier this year.
In the meantime, the U.S.-based non-governmental organization Freedom House states that internet freedom is decreasing in Germany and globally, as outlined in their yearly report.
Germany's leading political parties have reached a decision regarding mandatory military service for 18-year-olds, as the armed forces face challenges with insufficient enlistment.
Here are the most recent updates from Germany on Thursday, November 13:
Property of an AfD politician is being examined as part of a terror-related inquiry
Law enforcement officers conducted searches at the residences of an AfD official in Ilmenau, located in the eastern state of Thuringia, as part of an inquiry into a suspected far-right extremist conspiracy, according to regional prosecutors on Thursday.
A representative from the public prosecutors' office in Thuringia, based in Jena, stated that the man's residence and two additional properties were examined for evidence. The representative mentioned that an arrest is not currently being considered or requested, and did not reveal the identity of the politician.
The inquiries are linked to probes into a suspected, failed plan to abduct former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
Lauterbach is a member of the Social Democratic Party and a doctor who gained significant attention and, in certain groups, became a subject of debate during the coronavirus pandemic by being one of the key supporters of vaccination campaigns and lockdown measures.
A AfD politician currently being investigated is accused of backing an organization known as the "Kaiserreichgruppe" (approximately, "German Empire Group"), which is among the extreme "Reichsbürger" factions that refuse to accept the collapse of the German Empire following World War I or the legitimacy of today's German government.
Four prominent individuals from this group received extended prison sentences from a court in Koblenz earlier this year.
Thuringia is an eastern state and a stronghold for the AfD; the head of the party's regional branch, Björn Höcke, is one of the most disputed figures within the AfD. He has been found guilty twice for intentionally using prohibited Nazi slogans in his political addresses.
Less young Ukrainian men should migrate to Germany, Merz informs Zelenskyy
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz requested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to encourage fewer young Ukrainian men to move to Germany, suggesting they should instead "remain and support their nation."
Merz addressed an audience at a business conference in Germany on Thursday, stating that he had informed Zelenskyy that the young men were "required" back home.
New modifications in wartime emergency regulations that ban Ukrainian males between the ages of 18 and 22 from departing the nation have resulted in an increase in young men attempting to relocate to Germany.
The chancellor also expressed approval of his government's initiatives to eliminate the automatic entitlement to social benefits that were previously provided to Ukrainian refugees following Russia's large-scale invasion in 2022.
In the future, they would be eligible for the same governmental assistance system provided to regular asylum applicants, instead of the support given to German citizens.
Merz also mentioned that there would be "tangible adjustments" ahead aimed at encouraging Ukrainians in Germany to look for employment instead of relying on government assistance.
As per recent German media reports, which reference government sources, Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (a member of the Social Democratic Party) and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (from the conservative Bavarian CSU) have recently reached an agreement on proposals to modify the eligibility of Ukrainians for German benefits, although the specifics have not yet been officially disclosed.
Merz has been aiming for a more stringent approach towards migration and asylum, facing pressure from the populist right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is the opposition leader in parliament and the second-largest party in the country since the recent federal elections.
German authorities detain a man suspected of obtaining weapons for Hamas suspects
A new individual has been taken into custody by German authorities in relation to the suspected acquisition of arms for the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.
The German Federal Prosecutor's Office stated on Thursday that the individual, who was detained on a train heading from Denmark to Germany, is connected to multiple arrests that have occurred in recent weeks.
Officials stated that the suspect on Thursday was thought to have moved arms from a suspected Hamas individual in Hesse, a central German state, to another in Berlin.
"The arms were intended for use by Hamas in targeted assassinations against Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany," prosecutors stated. Nevertheless, there was no clear concrete plan for an attack.
On Tuesday, an individual believed to be affiliated with Hamas was detained upon entering Germany from the Czech Republic.
Three additional individuals were taken into custody in Berlin last month, and earlier this week a man was detained in London on allegations of smuggling weapons to Austria, where a stockpile was discovered in November. The British national is currently waiting for extradition to Germany.
Germany designates Hamas as a terrorist group.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were taken into custody following the hanging of a banner at the Brandenburg Gate.
Demonstrators displayed a sign that said "Never again genocide — freedom for Palestine" from the renowned Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Thursday.
Three advocates ascended the 20-meter-tall monument using a lifting platform. They ignited red smoke flares around the quadriga — the artwork featuring four horses and a chariot that crowns the gate.
They also showcased a Palestinian flag.
German authorities deployed 75 officers, including experts from a specialized technical team, to arrest the demonstrators.
The authorities, along with assistance from the fire department, removed the three demonstrators—two females and one male—before arresting them.
Three additional individuals who had managed the lifting platform were also taken into custody.
German central bank initiates a sticker campaign for cash transactions
The German central bank, known as the Bundesbank, has initiated a new sticker initiative to encourage the use of cash transactions in retail stores, in addition to card payments.
Shop owners can freely display stickers on their doors alongside those indicating they accept card payments. The stickers come in various formats, including ones with slogans such as "Klar, auch bar!" (Of course, also in cash!) and "Einfach. Bargeld." (Simple. Cash.)
"Cash payment stickers indicate to customers that cash is acceptable," said Burkhard Balz, a member of the Bundesbank's executive board.
Cash is still widely used as a payment method in Germany, although its usage has decreased over the years, dropping to 51% in 2023 according to data from the Bundesbank.
"Money can be utilized without relying on technology, power, or the internet," Balz stated.
AfD co-leaders show solidarity following the Russia controversy
The two co-leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have attempted to demonstrate solidarity through a joint letter after a reported disagreement on perspectives concerning Russia.
We will keep collaborating on policies benefiting Germany and its people," Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla stated. "For this purpose, we sustain positive relationships with our European and global partners.
The anti-immigration party has faced criticism over its ties to Russia, as Weidel tries to separate herself from part of the controversy.
She criticized several Lawmakers from the AfD who intended to attend a conference in Moscow, stating that she did not "know what they are supposed to be doing there."
At the same time, Chrupalla seems to have taken a different stance, stating during a television interview earlier in the week that he did not see any particular threat from Russia to Germany, contending that any nation could pose a danger to the country.
He continued by stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin "hasn't done anything to me."
Chrupalla's comments faced backlash from the AfD's own defense representative in the Bundestag — Rüdiger Lucassen, a former military officer.
Poliovirus detected in water in Germany for the first time in many years
German officials reported on Thursday that wild type 1 poliovirus was found in sewage samples from the city of Hamburg.
Even though the threat to the public is seen as minimal because of high immunization levels and only small amounts of the virus being identified, the finding triggered concerns, as it marked the first time in many years that the dangerous illness had been detected in wastewater in Germany.
Poliomyelitis, often referred to as polio, may result in lasting paralysis and even death, as stated by the German Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG). Additional symptoms can involve vomiting, fever, sore throat, stomach discomfort, muscle aches, headaches, and meningitis.
Germany last reported a case of polio resulting from the wild strain of the virus in 1990. The most recent imported case was documented in 1992, as stated by BIÖG.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the German Environmental Agency frequently analyze sewage samples in Germany for signs of the poliovirus.
Shuttle without a driver receives approval for trials in Hamburg
The German Federal Motor Vehicle Authority (KBA) has approved the testing of an autonomous shuttle in the northern city of Hamburg.
Holon, the firm that developed the completely electric, autonomous vehicle, celebrated the approval, referring to it as a "significant achievement."
The "Holon urban" functions at what is referred to as level 4 self-driving capability. This indicates it doesn't need a human operator and can come to a halt on its own in emergency situations.
During the trial period, a safety officer will be present in the vehicle to oversee the self-driving process.
The vehicle has capacity for 15 passengers, with nine seats and six areas for standing. It can achieve a top speed of 60 kph (nearly 40 mph).
With KBA's approval and €26 million ($30 million) in federal support, the pilot initiative is set to continue until October 2026, with the possibility of an extension. The project seeks to enhance public transportation and decrease the number of private cars on the road.
The renowned German automotive company Volkswagen is also experimenting with its autonomous VW ID.Buzz AD shared mobility vehicles via its subsidiary MOIA.
Organ donations rise slightly
As of this year, 2,523 organs have been transplanted in Germany, compared to 2,391 in 2024. Nevertheless, the German Organ Transplantation Foundation (DSO) urged more individuals to create wills to clearly state their wishes and for family members to provide approval, as these elements can significantly delay the procedure.
Axel Rahmel, the medical director of the DSO, stated that although he was pleased with the increase, "this should not hide the fact that this does not signal a major shift in organ donation."
Approximately 25% of families agree to have their relatives' organs donated to those in need, while only 15% pass away with a formal document expressing their wish to donate.
Even without proof, stories continue to circulate that physicians are less inclined to perform resuscitation on individuals who have marked themselves as organ donors using a card that some Germans keep in their wallets. Additional prejudices remain as well. Out of 2,127 donations between January and October 2025, some had to be canceled because family consent was not obtained.
Germany has recently simplified the process for living donors to give kidneys to individuals in need, a move that doctors believe will also lead to higher donation rates. According to the research company Statista, the majority of people on the organ transplant waiting list in Germany in 2024 were in need of kidneys.
The number of individuals who agreed to donate organs differed significantly across regions, according to the DSO. In the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, there was a notable increase in organ donations compared to the previous year, exceeding 500. However, in central Hesse and the northeastern areas, the numbers decreased.
As per the DSO, approximately 10,000 individuals in Germany are currently awaiting organ transplants.
What reasons do some individuals have for opposing Google's proposal to construct a large data center in Germany?
Google has revealed plans to allocate €5.5 billion ($6.37 billion) in Germany during the next four years, involving the development of a new data center in Dietzenbach, along with growth initiatives at current locations in Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
However, not all individuals are rejoicing the decision.
Read more: Why certain individuals in Germany are cautious about Google's data center initiatives
Germany's governing parties reach consensus on new military service initiatives
A deal between Germany's ruling parties, as reported by okay1, indicates that they have outlined a way ahead following a heated discussion overthe outlook for the military forces, the Bundeswehr.
The center-right coalition of Chancellor Merz (CDU and CSU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) have been exploring ways to address the ongoing challenge of declining enlistments since conscription was abolished in 2011.
The article begins by recognizing that "the security threat scenario has deteriorated considerably in recent years due to Russia's aggressive war."
It emphasizes the importance of our military meeting the NATO capability goals that have been established regarding structure, equipment, and, most importantly, personnel.
The German Armed Forces currently has approximately 182,000 personnel on active service. The objective is to raise this number to 260,000 in order to fulfill "capabilities pledged to NATO."
Starting next year, men will be required to complete a form regarding their preparedness for military service at the age of 18 — "so that, in case of a defense emergency, the Bundeswehr is aware of who can be contacted if universal conscription is brought back."
Wages will also see a rise for incoming employees. Additional benefits will include discounted driving lessons — known to be costly in Germany.
Importantly, the statement mentions, there will be "no automatic system for initiating mandatory military service." This has become the most controversial provision, with opponents arguing that the survey alone will not suffice to achieve the required number of soldiers.
VIDEO: Indian students face challenges in managing finances in Germany
Germany is becoming more appealing to Indian students due to low tuition costs, promising career opportunities, and excellent academic standards.
However, numerous individuals need to work while pursuing their education, frequently in roles such as delivery drivers.
New study indicates a decrease in internet freedom in Germany
According to an annual report from Freedom House released on Thursday, Germany has experienced a reduction in online freedom.
A democracy advocacy organization based in Washington conducted a survey on internet freedom across 72 countries for 2025, amid a global environment affected by ongoing authoritarian control and declining democratic practices in Western nations regarding increasing online restrictions.
Freedom House reported that Germany's internet freedom score decreased by three points, reaching a total of 74.
The research indicated that officials in Germany took legal measures against individuals who criticized public figures.
The report referenced criminal charges in Germany related to memes involving politicians, apparently referring to an editor from a publication linked to the far-right AfD.
Deutschland-KurierThe editor-in-chief, David Bendels, was given a suspended prison sentence and faced a fine for a social media post that featured a modified image criticizing former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. In the image, she appeared holding a sign reading "I hate freedom of speech," which gained significant online attention.
Freedom House highlighted elements such as greater self-censorship, partly driven by threats from far-right groups, and cyberattacks linked to the Russian government, which are seen as reasons for the drop in Germany's internet freedom.
Welcome to our coverage
Guten Morgenfrom okay1's newsroom in Bonn.
Today, we will examine the most recent internet freedom report released by Freedom House, along with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's address on economic policies, a significant court ruling concerning the Wirecard financial scandal, and a determination regarding the future of conscription.
Click here for the most recent news and insights from throughout Germany.
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