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Capitals address Ovechkin’s role in Russian political ad
The Washington Capitals said Alex Ovechkin was asked to appear in a new ad for Russia’s ruling United Russia party while in Moscow this summer, emphasizing he is a Russian citizen focused on the upcoming NHL season and his community role in D.C.
Debate about data centers emerges in Donalds-Jolly gubernatorial race
Grassroots opposition to AI infrastructure because of its huge demand on local water supplies and the electrical grid had been growing more pointed since early this year, turning into an issue David Jolly and the Florida Democratic Party are using to attack Republican Byron Donalds in the Florida gubernatorial race.
On Capitol Hill, voter fraud targets vary by party
Van Drew's House committee saw clashes over voting claims, but no new details about NJ voter registration error
‘Spoilers’ happen in Oregon. Will this year’s race for governor join the list?
Gov. Tina Kotek is showing no signs she’s worried about a lone third-party candidate.
Lyric Health Launches AI-Powered Healthcare Operating System to Turn Fragmented Data into Coordinated Care
Lyric Health today announced the launch of its Healthcare Operating System, a platform built to help self-funded employers, third-party administrators (TPAs) and healthcare innovators turn fragmented healthcare data into coordinated member action.
This Week in Politics: Republican Midterm Convention
As November midterm elections approach and the approval rating of President Trump’s party declines across the country, the Republican Midterm Convention was held in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10. The event was largely an effort to rally party support. Republicans predicted the event would benefit many candidates currently running in the House...
EU membership bid gives boost to Moldova’s fledgling R&D landscape
Moldova’s push to join the EU is having the spillover effect of helping to improve the country’s R&D landscape, which in recent years has suffered from fragmentation, decreasing personnel and a lack of research infrastructure.The country became an EU candidate country in 2022, alongside Ukraine, and officially began accession negotiations in 2024. With a pro-EU government, Moldova has been actively carrying out reforms to align with EU standards. This has helped accelerate the development of R&D, said Igor Chiosa, acting head of the Research and Innovation Policy Directorate at Moldova’s Ministry of Education and Research. “Our R&D landscape is moving up, and we are more and more involved in the European Research Area,” he said. “The support we receive from the EU is very important, not only financially, but also because of incentives, consultation and capacity building.”The R&D landscape in the former Soviet republic is still relatively underdeveloped, despite attempts at improvement going back to a 2004 law on science and innovation and later reforms in 2017 and 2018. But the system remains in a “precarious situation” and “in the process of contraction,” according to an assessment carried out by the government for the current National Programme for Research and Innovation, which runs from 2024 to 2027. The analysis highlights in particular the declining number of researchers and PhDs, which has been continuously falling, as well as limited research funding. This is around 10 times lower than the EU average and “insufficient to maintain a level of research activity that supports higher education and meets the needs of the economy.” The mechanisms for allocating research funds are also described as inefficient, as well as the general fragmentation of the landscape, with research and innovation activities being carried out in 67 different places. The lack of strategic vision for research infrastructure is also noted. The strategy sets out to address these issues and is being fuelled by reforms linked to EU accession. Moldova now has a regulation on open science and gender equality. There is also a new support mechanism for technology transfer offices and a business-academia roadmap. In 2025, the country also became the first Eastern Partnership country to approve a Smart Specialisation strategy, which will coordinate its R&D efforts to focus on strengths, within a European context. “We’ve done a lot in terms of normative acts,” Chiosa said. Horizon Europe successMoldova is also seeing more success in the EU’s flagship R&D programme, Horizon Europe. The country has now won nearly €15 million in funding, already double the amount won under the previous programme, Horizon 2020, and more than the €10 million target set by the government. Chiosa said the priority has shifted now to winning more research-centred projects, rather than those related to support and capacity. Moldova is also targeting further involvement in large European projects. Last year, it joined the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking giving Moldovans access to Europe's supercomputing network. The country is also a member of Danubius-RI, a European research infrastructure focused on river and sea research. Despite these efforts, Moldova’s research capacity is still shackled by its limited R&D budget, which equates to 0.23% of its GDP. This is around half of what its neighbour Romania spends, which is the lowest in the EU. According to Chiosa, the research budget is increasing year-on-year, jumping by €6.34 million between 2024 and 2025. But this doesn’t show up when looking at it as a proportion of GDP. “Of course, it’s difficult,” he said. “That is why we are putting more emphasis on collaboration between business and academia, as well as participation in Horizon Europe, to try to diversify our sources of funding.”A World Bank loan of €30 million, plus a grant of €7.8 million, was agreed in 2025 to support the modernisation of Moldova’s universities. As part of this, a call was launched this year to provide universities grants of up to €900,000 to develop their research infrastructure. Moldova is also collaborating closely with Romania, with which it shares a common language, funding 100 joint projects in 2023 and 2024. This support has been instrumental. “They are helping with sharing their expertise, inviting us into consortia, and lots more,” Chiosa said. Looking forward, Moldova is eagerly anticipating joining the EU. “We are looking closely at what the EU is doing and will shape our future national programme in research innovation accordingly.”EU accession “blocked at a technical level”Moldova is aiming to join the EU by 2028, but despite its swift and eager efforts to meet the accession criteria, there remain obstacles outside of the country’s control. For a country to join the EU, it must have certain legislation in place and meet specific standards in various areas. This is categorised into six thematic clusters containing 33 chapters. Moldova and the EU have so far opened two of the clusters, numbers one and six. The first covers fundamental laws, such as the judiciary, security and financial legislation. The sixth covers external relations. The remaining four clusters are still unopened. This includes the third cluster, on competitiveness and growth, which contains the chapter on science and research.Related articlesQ&A: Albania’s ambition to become a ‘moderate innovator’Data corner: Horizon success rates are droppingThe European Commission has confirmed that these clusters are ready to be opened, with an official saying that the Commission is encouraging EU governments, who have the final say, to move forward on the matter. However, both clusters two and three remain blocked by the EU Council’s working party on enlargement and countries negotiating accession to the EU, a different official, representing the Council, confirmed.This working party is set to meet several times in the coming weeks, with a Council meeting scheduled for mid-October in which enlargement, and Moldova’s bid, will be discussed. But there is no certainty that these talks will lead to progress. According to the Council source, it is “completely impossible to foresee if and when the file will be unblocked,” citing the sensitivity of the matter. Moldova’s situation is particularly complicated. One factor is that it borders Ukraine and is increasingly embroiled in Russia’s war, with drone incursions occurring more often on its territory. Another is Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway state that lies within the territory of Moldova. It is unclear how the EU would be able to accept Moldova into the bloc while this situation remains unchanged. While there is no direct reason to delay opening cluster three with Moldova, as it covers matters unrelated to security, it could be that the EU is reluctant to speed through accession negotiations without first resolving broader, geopolitical issues.Chiosa is confident that, if and when the chapter on science and research is opened, Moldova will be able to finalise it quickly. It doesn’t require any legislative changes and is only a matter of proving certain standards, which Chiosa believes Moldova is well prepared to do. “We hope that chapter 25 on science and research will be one of the first chapters opened and closed,” he said.
Germany: Chancellor Merz tries to rally his troops
Following the CDU's crushing defeat in the Saxony-Anhalt election, many are expressing doubts about Chancellor and party leader Friedrich Merz. But they don't appear to have any viable alternative.
Drew Landry: One Party, One Mission? The French Connection in Texas
In his latest column, Drew Landry notes Speaker Dustin Burrows' call for GOP unity - then came Bo French's controversial social media post after a UT football game.
The Subtle Sign That A.I. Is Not Yet a National Political Issue
A Times/Siena poll shows many voters are still uncertain on the issue, including which party would do a better job on it.
The Supreme Court’s cryptic mail ballot decision won’t be its last word on voting
The Supreme Court’s recent patchwork of election-related decisions gives the public scant clues of how the justices would act if faced with a crucial dispute this fall that would definitively settle which party controls Congress or what to expect in 2028.
The End of the Gubernatorial Naysayer?
Only four states have elected governors from the opposing party of the sitting president over the last two or more cycles.
Two House Democrats defect again on key vote for Trump agenda
House Democrats are fuming after a pair of centrist members once again defied their party leaders by voting to help advance a key White House priority — the second time in recent weeks.
Democrat rebels defy Jeffries to hand GOP critical win just before midterms
House Democrats Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez broke ranks to rescue a Republican rule vote, dealing a fresh blow to Hakeem Jeffries.
Author Emily St. John Mandel discusses new book ‘Exit Party’
Ahead of an event with Seattle Arts & Lectures, the Times sat down with the author to discuss American fragility, post-apocalyptic romance and her ongoing career.
NEW: Cook Political Rates Key Senate Race a ‘Toss Up’ — Moves It Away From Democrats
Cook currently rates seven Senate races as “Toss Ups,” the outcomes of which are all but certain to determine which party controls the chamber next year.
Letter: Party politics in Montgomery County are nothing new
Contributed commentary from Monica M. Meeks on the election of Rashidah Leverett to chair the Montgomery County Commission.
‘I’m not going to be a Republican!’: John Fetterman promises, again, not to defect
The Pennsylvania senator has faced ongoing questions about leaving the Democratic Party and made a video appearance at the Republicans’ midterm convention last week.
Can I change my political party affiliation in Oklahoma? What to know
Oklahomans can update their voter registration or party affiliation online before the October 9 deadline.
'Most Excellent 90s Dance Party' planned for St. Augustine
A 90s themed dance party in St. Augustine offers an alcohol free night of throwback tunes, retro fun and a reasonable bedtime.
Bobby Seale to reissue 'Seize the Time' and publish new memoir 'I, Bobby'
Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, is reissuing his 1970 memoir "Seize the Time" as he approaches his 90th birthday | 830 WCCO
Capitals say Alex Ovechkin asked to film United Russia ad
The Capitals told The Associated Press that Alex Ovechkin was asked to participate in an ad this summer for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
Pitt County to hold health block party Sept. 19
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Pitt County Public Health is scheduled to host a Family Health Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Pitt County Office Park in Greenville. In partnership with NC Med As...
How Okinawa’s political shift could make Japan more prepared for a Taiwan contingency
Election of governor backed by nation’s ruling party could stabilise the US military presence and drive a defence build-up.
Bierstadt Fest Returns to St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Sept. 19
ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. — The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum will host its annual Bierstadt Fest beer sampling party Saturday, Sept. 19, from 3 to 6 p.m., in the Athenaeum's backyard beer
House Democrats add three seats to ‘Red to Blue’ target list
Democratic Party leaders had previously declined to promote Michigan activist William Lawrence, who has drawn attention for past social media posts.
Another Civil War Would Be Bad. A New Book Imagines Something Even Worse.
Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven imagined a flu apocalypse. Her Exit Party gives us civil war, and then some.
College sports bill opposition brews despite Cruz, Cantwell optimism - Live Updates
The sweeping legislation is facing opposition from various party factions despite updates to the measure to win support.
Albany County lawmakers reject clothing sales tax cut
The Republican-led measure split mainly down party lines, with most Democrats voting against the move.
Nevada voters will have early say in 2028 presidential nominations for both parties
Nevada party voters will be able to make their choice in the Democratic Party’s primary at second in the nation and in the third calendar position for Republicans.
Judge strikes down rule changes favored by Brooklyn Democratic Party chair
In a decision Monday, the judge wrote that votes taken in August to approve those changes were “improper.”
Some Democrats recalibrating approach to transgender issues
An increasing number of Democratic leaders have begun to push back against their party’s unflinching support for the transgender community this midterm season.
‘Party for sale’? Reform’s £72m donation causes huge backlash
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Reform UK’s £72m of political donations, and the backlash against them
Trump’s $5,000 dividend requires congressional approval, Mike Johnson says
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) argued that President Donald Trump’s controversial $5,000 dividend proposal requires congressional approval, though he shied away from overt criticism of the measure. Trump’s promise to divvy out $5,000 to every U.S. citizen at the Republicans’ midterm convention last week sent shockwaves around the country and within the Republican Party. Johnson […]
Monday Stat Party: Stand clear of the closing Lin-doors
Lindor takes the Subway Series by storm as the rookies keep climbing leaderboards.
How Much Money Have the Parties Spent on the Key Congressional Races in Pennsylvania?
We are just 50 days out from the November 3 general election and the political party money taps are flowing in an attempt to influence your vote for their preferred candidate(s). In just three Pennsylvania congressional districts alone (PA-07, PA-08 and PA-10), the Democrats and Republicans have combined to spend…
X and Samba Partner to Quantify the Real-World Impact of Entertainment Advertising
Samba Analytics provides insights on X campaigns that drive media consumption on streaming platforms, linear TV and at movie theatersSAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Samba, the global leader in media intelligence, today announced a strategic partnership with X that will provide entertainment marketers with independent, third-party measurement for how advertising campaigns on the X platform influence real-world consumer behavior. Initial results illustrate X's impact in driving t
Russia continues to divide Italian politics: Why defending Ukraine matters
M5S leader Giuseppe Conte’s call to stop sending weapons to Ukraine has reopened the clash with Elly Schlein’s Democratic Party over an issue that has long cut across Italian politics. Giorgia Meloni, meanwhile, is maintaining a tough line on Moscow despite resistance within the governing coalition and pressure from the far right. With less than [...]
Hostage families became a political prize. But not for the party that championed their cause
The largely anti-Netanyahu campaign to bring captives home turned hostage relatives into some of Israel's most recognizable public figures. When election season came, many found the opposition had little room for them
Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power
California Gov. Gavin Newsom does not like being on Donald Trump’s side on any issue. But when it comes to transgender girls and women in sports, particularly at the school level, the Democrat said he largely agrees with the Republican president. Newsom, one of his party’s leading White House prospects, believes it’s “deeply unfair” for […]
UK unions split over party donations cap as TUC chief says ‘super-rich’ corrupting politics
Sources say there are ‘significant differences’ in opinion as debate inflamed by crypto billionaires’ £72m donations to Reform
Arizona independents expected to have influential sway in the November midterms
More than 900 thousand voters registered in Maricopa County have no party affiliation, a larger group than either Democrats or Republicans.
🏈 Y! Sports AM: Points party
The NFL came roaring back on Sunday, with offenses leading the charge.
Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power
An increasing number of Democratic leaders have begun to push back against their party’s unflinching support for the transgender community this midterm season.
Apple's Siri AI Can Be Swapped Out for Claude, ChatGPT, Code Shows
Code sleuth "pdfu" has uncovered iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate private frameworks that show Apple has designed its new Siri architecture to work with third-party AI models at what appears to be a surprisingly deep level. One mechanism called Model Delegation allows Claude to appear as a Siri extension in the same way as the existing built-in ChatGPT extension.
Emily St. John Mandel’s new novel ‘Exit Party’ builds on favorite themes in her ‘Mandelverse’
Emily St. John Mandel has written enough novels to form a world unto herself — the Mandelverse.
Emily St. John Mandel's new novel 'Exit Party' builds on favorite themes in her 'Mandelverse'
Emily St. John Mandel has written enough novels to form a world unto herself — the Mandelverse.
Exclusive: Nara Health raises $10M for benefits admin
Khosla Ventures led the third-party administration startup's funding.
Opinion | Mary Peltola’s Energy Politics Fits Alaska. Democrats Need Her.
To win in states such as Alaska, the party needs a faction that can live with fossil fuels.
YOU HAD ONE JOB THE GREENS POLITICAL PARTY! Climate change is distroying life and you exist to save it!
It’s complicated and everyone is having a lot of feelings
Monday briefing: What do Reform’s record-setting donations mean for the party
In today’s newsletter: As Labour MPs scramble to realign later today around a bill that could stop donations like this in their tracks, a look at new game-changing donations to a party engulfed in financial scandals
Select committee calls for bill to address AI threat to human rights
A cross-party group of MPs and peers identifies human rights risks that existing laws appear not to cover.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ needs congressional approval
President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to every American adult if his Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in the November election needs congressional approval, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ needs congressional approval
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to every American adult if his Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval
Trump made the unusual pitch at the party's midterm convention in Dallas last week, promising a “Trump Dividend” if voters keep the GOP in power on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress would have to approve President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to each American adult if the Republican Party maintains control of the House
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump's $5,000 'dividend' needs congressional approval
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress would have to approve President Donald Trump's proposal to send $5,000 to each American adult if the Republican Party maintains control of the House and Senate in the November election.
Will record donations to Reform be a moment of political change?
Andy Burnham is likely to face fresh pressure to further change the rules on party donations, writes Jack Fenwick.
Kosovo parliament re-elects Albin Kurti as prime minister, political crisis persists
Kosovo's parliament re-elected Albin Kurti as prime minister on Sunday after his party came first in June elections, but a failure to elect a president could send the country into another snap election.
Can a Democrat flip a seat in North Carolina? Roy Cooper has a warning for his party.
New poll reveals 1 party with huge advantage in 2026 midterms. And it’s bad news for Trump.
The Quinnipiac University poll, released Thursday, found that Democrats have an 11-point edge over Republicans when voters were asked which party they would want to see in control of the House.
How Gen Z saw Trump's Dallas from inside the AAC to protests outside
For Generation Z, Trump’s GOP rally in Dallas was a look at their party’s future, from a young Republican inside the AAC to a teen Democrat protesting outside it.
This Democrat’s comeback saga began long before his primary upset
David Crowley had a surprising path to becoming his party’s nominee for governor of Wisconsin. His life before that was even more unlikely.
Will the economy motivate voters? This Central Valley swing district could be a test
The 22nd District is one of fewer than two dozen toss-up races nationwide that will likely determine which party controls the U.S. House in the second half of President Trump’s term.
Why Democrats will turn out even if they dislike their party’s leaders
At a rest stop off Interstate 95, Democratic voters said they are starting to set aside their frustrations to coalesce around the party's midterm candidates.
Steelers Drop Week 1 Hype Video Amid Concerning Field Conditions
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting fans excited ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Fans are expecting a home win now that Cooper Rush is starting for the Falcons.The team has dropped several hype videos Saturday, including one captioned: “See yinz soon.”The “yinzers” are pumped and Sunday should be a party in the […] The post Steelers Drop Week 1 Hype Video Amid Concerning Field Conditions appeared first on HEAVY.
Twins 4, Guardians 3: Coming Out Party
That the article editor’s thumbnail selector offered two dozen images of a beaming Emmanuel Rodriguez, smiling as he jogged around the basepaths with his fist in the air, should tell you everything you need to know about the top prospect’s first major-league at-bat. A 2-1 fastball was swiftly deposited 420 into left-center field, tying the […]
Detroit Block Party highlights health resources available in the city
Crypto billionaires donate millions to Reform UK, raising concerns about money in politics
Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, received £72 million (around €83.9 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, prompting concerns about money’s influence in British politics. Ben Delo, co-founder of the BitMEX platform, donated £36 million, and crypto investor Christopher Harborne matched that amount. Harborne supports Reform UK’s policies, believing they will […]
US: Target lists some of first party games in Customer Appreciation Sale
Customers in North America will be getting ready to spend in the upcoming Nintendo Customer Appreciation Sale. While Nintendo hasn’t announced which first party games will be including in the sale…
Trump political adviser is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about GOP in upcoming midterms
A top political adviser to President Trump said he is “cautiously optimistic” that Republicans can keep control of Congress in November, despite political headwinds for the party and the president’…
Reform MP says her children begged her to quit politics over safety fears
The Reform UK MP says the party's eight MPs now all have 24-hour security.
Reform MP Sarah Pochin says her children fear for her safety and want her to quit politics
The Reform UK MP says the party's eight MPs now all have 24-hour security.
Republican Midterm Convention Was a Delusional Party for Trump
The Republican Party's midterm convention was a delusion celebration of Donald Trump that dismissed many of the issues impacting Americans.
What would it take for a third-party candidate to win Wyoming’s race for governor?
by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile No minor party candidate has ever won a statewide elected office in Wyoming. Voters have exclusively elected Republicans
Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
LONDON (AP) — Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received 72 million pounds ($97 million) from two cryptocurrency bill
Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
LONDON (AP) — Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received 72 million pounds ($97 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, fueling concerns about money in British politics.
Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received $97 million from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend.
Crypto billionaires make record donations to UK political party
Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received $97 million from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend.
Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
LONDON (AP) — Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received 72 million pounds ($97 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, fueling concerns about money in British politics.
Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
LONDON (AP) — Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received 72 million pounds ($97 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, fueling …
Crypto Billionaires Give $97 Million to Reform UK, Fueling Concerns About Money in Politics
LONDON (AP) — Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received 72 million pounds ($97 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, fueling concerns about money in British politics. After news broke that Ben Delo, a co-founder of the BitMEX ...
Ben Delo: Who is the Reform UK donor and crypto billionaire?
Delo has given £36m to Reform UK - the largest donation ever made to a political party in the UK.
Germany’s Political Tailspin: Your Weekly SPIEGEL Recap
It might be tempting to dismiss the results of last Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raked in 43.8 percent of the vote, as a rather unimportant extremist blip in a state that hardly anyone can find on the map. And you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong to do so. The state’s population – around 2.1 million – is a mere 2.5 percent of the German total. And while the state capital of Magdeburg was once the political heart of the Holy Roman Empire back when Otto the Great used to hang out there (more than a millenium … no … milennium … nope … millennium ago), it is today something of a backwater, albeit one with a ginormous cathedral in its center. We wanted to briefly interrupt this week’s newsletter to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our subscribers, both new and old. And to remind you all that a free subscription gets you access to this newsletter every Saturday. A paid subscription, by contrast, gets you one DER SPIEGEL article every weekday, delivered to your inbox. We strive to select pieces that both demonstrate what Europe’s leading newsmagazine has to offer and provide an international audience – namely, you – with an insight into how Germany and Europe view the world. If you haven’t already signed up for a paid subscription, please consider doing so if you can. Our Substack channel relies entirely on reader support and we are excited to continue offering you the best of DER SPIEGEL. Subscribe But even beyond the fact that a huge percentage of the voters in the state decided to place an X next to a party with an ideological lineage that runs rather directly back to the right-wing extremist soup out of which the Nazi Party was born, the results are a perfect example of a phenomenon that has been plaguing German elections in recent years: the lack of an obvious path to a majority. Call it the Balkanization of German politics. There are a number of developments driving the phenomenon, but for the purposes of this newsletter, here are two of the most salient: Persistent voter frustration with the country’s two (former) big-tent parties – the Christian Democrats (CDU) on the center-right (17.2 percent in Saxony-Anhalt last Sunday) and the Social Democrats (SPD) on the center-left (9.3 percent). The presence of parties on the far left (Left Party), the populist left (the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – BSW) and the far right (AfD) with which mainstream parties are reluctant to form coalitions. So what happens now? Stories of the Week A Lack of Leadership The answer for many people in the country, and particularly within the CDU, is clear: pin (some of) the blame on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a survey taken directly after the election in Saxony-Anhalt, 88 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that if the federal government in Berlin were doing a better job, the AfD wouldn’t be as strong. And it is true that the predominant impression of the federal government ever since Merz was sworn in on May 6, 2025, is one of ineffectiveness and bickering. His rather unique combination of bumbling-plus-bravado has also not exactly endeared him to the German public. Indeed, his standing in the country is so shaky that his popularity – according to recent polls – has now dropped even below the historic lows associated with his predecessor Olaf Scholz. The situation is such that the CDU even opted to keep him largely out of the campaign ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt vote. And since then, dissatisfied rumblings within the CDU have grown louder. DER SPIEGEL’s Swantje Karich notes that the problems with the CDU go much deeper than Merz. “The center-right has a trust problem. At a press appearance following the devastating election result in Saxony-Anhalt, Friedrich Merz said that the party wanted to ‘reach people more effectively’ through ‘emotional engagement.’ It sounded as though he were announcing a political program. On the basis of that statement, it is difficult to take his empathy seriously.” “The Chancellor’s chastened appearance did, at least, reveal where he stands: with his back to the wall. Elections will be held in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next week, and the CDU could fare even worse there. The party is polling at between 8 and 10 percent in the state.” “What is at stake is the political tradition that has lent stability to the Federal Republic since 1945: a democratic conservatism that understands what must be preserved, but also how to embrace progress and openness to the world. If the Union continues along its current path, it risks becoming politically irrelevant after the 2029 federal election – and Germany could soon find itself with a government of the far right.” The Trumpification of Political Debate? It is often said in Germany that to understand the political and social trends that will soon be dominant in Europe, one need only look across the Atlantic to the United States. When it comes to political debate, that has certainly proven true. Donald Trump understood early on that triggering mouth-foaming outrage among Democrats is an ideal way to both generate headlines and to secure loyalty among supporters. And he realized that far more quickly than the left side of the political spectrum understood that simply ignoring the old man might be the best recipe. To be sure, there have been signs recently that the US president may be over-relying on the strategy. Earlier this week, in an apparent grandpa-discovers-AI moment, Trump sent out 60 posts in the space of 10 hours, many of them AI-assisted images portraying him as a hero – or showing Iceland as part of the US (outrageous!!!). It was also during that slew of schlock that he explicitly backed the AfD with an “MGGA” post. In Germany, though, the outrage cycle remains in full swing, with much of the focus on those who would dare to vote for the AfD. They are alternately portrayed as being dim-witted, ungrateful, backward, racist or all of the above. That, argues DER SPIEGEL columnist Sabine Rennefanz, is not particularly helpful. “Everywhere on election night, people spoke of a watershed moment, a rupture, a turning point. But what is that supposed to mean in concrete terms? A watershed would imply an interruption, a moment of pause – perhaps even a willingness to rethink and learn. At first, there was little sign of that in the main television panels. Instead, the familiar rituals that had already shaped the election campaign continued: outrage, lecturing and abuse.” “That’s just the tone, one might object. They’re only talk shows. Given that the party’s state branch has been classified by domestic intelligence officials as confirmed right-wing extremist, there are more important problems than hurt feelings on television. Yet although the condescending tone is not the cause of the AfD’s success, it is an expression of the broader mood within the so-called political center – a kind of institutional blindness that too often treats material concerns as a communications problem.” “People have a pretty good sense of whether you like them – whether you approach them with curiosity or merely study, lecture and manage them as a problem group. They notice whether you genuinely want to understand their fears and pain, or whether you are simply waiting for the chance to correct them. They can also tell whether someone still has the energy to change things, or whether they have barricaded themselves behind platitudes and empty phrases.” “Anyone who wants an egalitarian democratic society cannot promise equality only to those whose language, tastes and moral convictions they share. They must also acknowledge the wounds, resentments and fears of those whose political conclusions they consider wrong. Acknowledging them does not mean agreeing with them. But a democracy that communicates with almost half its citizens only through warnings and labels gives up on political debate before it has even begun. An atmosphere must be created in which people can express their opinions without fearing that they will be canceled. We are currently a long way from that.” East-West? One of the clear undercurrents in the election last Sunday was, of course, Germany’s ongoing east-west divide, particularly as it pertains to the success of the AfD. Historically, the party has been far stronger in the former East German states than in former West German states. The fact that this generalization no longer reliably holds is certainly one of the primary concerns that many have about the party’s growth. And yet, there is still a distinct flavor of “stupid easterners, they don’t understand democracy” to the coverage. In the weeks before the vote, there was even a rather interesting back-and-forth in Germany’s culture pages about how ungrateful eastern Germans allegedly are for being pulled out of their pre-reunification backwardness and into the light of the West. DER SPIEGEL’s Jochen-Martin Gutsch has had enough. “Ten years ago, in 2016, elections were also held in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won more than 20 percent, which at the time rightly provoked outrage and incomprehension in western Germany. Today, in 2026, the AfD is also polling at around 20 percent in western German states, but this no longer provokes outrage and incomprehension. Instead, it is now regarded as proof of democratic conviction and civilizational resistance. After all, in the east, it’s 40 percent!” “This allows people to continue feeling morally superior to the East, but the wiser course would be to admit: if something doesn’t happen soon, the West will turn AfD-blue too. Or bluish.” “But will anything happen? The truly depressing thing about election night was not so much the AfD leaders intoxicated by their own success. It was the representatives of the other parties, who once again said that they were utterly shocked, needed some time to digest the result and would, of course, not simply return to business as usual. The SPD, a former big-tent party, celebrated its ‘stable’ result of 9.3 percent. Congratulations!” “For 10 years, the AfD has gone from one electoral success to the next. And still, the established parties remain ‘shocked’ and scratch their heads in astonishment. How long can they keep being shocked? Friedrich Merz says he may need to communicate his reform ideas in a more ‘emotional’ way. So the CDU’s political professionals sit down together after the election, mull over a strategy, and in the end come up with this: Fritz, try to be a little more relaxed, charismatic and emotional – or something. Beyond that: no political plan, no defiance, no promise of a future. That is frightening.” What was good, what was bad for democracy? Good: Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt was 77.8 percent, the highest ever recorded in the state. Whatever one thinks of the result, that figure is encouraging. Democracy needs citizens to take an interest. Bad: Although a strong AfD result had been expected in Saxony-Anhalt, many politicians from the mainstream parties – including in Berlin – appeared confused, helpless and overwhelmed in their initial reactions. That is not how they will win back voters’ trust. Last Week’s Highlights: 🗳️ Meet the Germans Who Voted for the AfD: Why would voters in a country like Germany, with its Nazi past, vote for a right-wing party? It’s a question only an editor in Berlin could come up with. On the ground, the view is different. 🟦 How the AfD Wants to Expand Its Power Across Germany: The far-right AfD is planning to decimate public broadcasting in Saxony-Anhalt, revamp education and install extremists in positions of power. And it is eyeing victory on the national stage as well. 🕯️ The Continuing Reverberations of September 11: It was a generational shock, and the consequences can still be felt today - from massive surveillance and significant increases in presidential power to violent excesses at ICE. 🤝 “For Europe, Canada Is the Preferred Partner in Trans-Atlantic Relations”: In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne discusses his country’s failed trade deal with the US and why Canada is looking to Europe. 🏛️ The True Historical Roots of the AfD: During the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, there were numerous parties on the extreme right espousing “Germany first” nationalism. The Nazis may not be the best comparison for today’s AfD. 🌊 AfD in a Landslide: Merz Is the Wrong Leader for Germany: The right-wing Alternative for Germany won in a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt state elections on Sunday. What does that mean for the country at large? Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful week! Subscribe Share Leave a comment Your SPIEGEL Substack Team Compiled and edited by Charles Hawley
Colorado Politics Calendar Sept. 14-20
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
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