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Trump refers to Black man from racially offensive 1988 campaign ad while stumping in North Carolina
President Donald Trump is using a controversial campaign ad from 1988 to criticize Democrats on crime
House clears Russia sanctions as Republicans dodge impeachment vote
GOP cuts voting session short after some NJ Democrats joined in punishing Russia
Ripple CEO Blames Democrats' 'Politics' for CLARITY Act Failure
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse criticized Senate Democrats after the CLARITY Act failed to advance Tuesday, but said crypto regulation in the U.S. could now shift toward rulemaking by the SEC and CFTC. The regulatory setback leaves Ripple and XRP largely...
Buttigieg: Democrats Need to Get Serious About Amending the Constitution
The former transportation secretary spoke with The Atlantic’s editor in chief about what comes next for Democrats should they win big in November.
Democrats warn OPM’s health data collection plan goes too far
Democrats doubled down on concerns that the administration’s plan to collect detailed federal employee health data poses security risks and legal questions.
Kamala Harris to hit the trail for Democrats in key races
Harris’ staff on Thursday confirmed that the former vice president is heading to Michigan next week to campaign with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who’s running for Senate
Kamala Harris to hit the trail for Democrats in key races
Harris’ staff on Thursday confirmed that the former vice president is heading to Michigan next week to campaign with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who’s running for Senate
Democrats seize on House GOP’s decision to leave town early
The Republican-led chamber has no more workdays scheduled in Washington before the November midterms.
Polls by national Democrats show close race in Maine 2nd Congressional District
Whether you believe the polls or not, the race for Maine’s 2nd District has been ranked as one to watch by national forecasters.
These Democrats won over working-class voters. Here’s their advice for candidates.
A new report explains which topics they emphasize — and which they don’t.
House Democratic healthcare options sent to Hakeem Jeffries
House Democrats’ healthcare working group, co-led by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Terri Sewell, has sent its report to Hakeem Jeffries.
Poll finds close Michigan Senate race. Here’s how El-Sayed lags his party.
A Post-Schar School finds 53 percent of Michigan’s likely voters say they want Democrats to control the Senate, but 48 percent support Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Senate race.
After steep losses in the primaries, what's next for the League of RI Businesses?
The conservative group created 40 PACs to back “pro-business” Democrats. It didn't work. Now they have a new plan: warning voters about socialism. “People get afraid of that,” the League’s cofounder said.
After steep losses in the primaries, what's next for the League of RI Businesses?
The conservative group created 40 PACs to back “pro-business” Democrats. It didn't work. Now they have a new plan: warning voters about socialism. “People get afraid of that,” the League’s cofounder said.
Democrats Hope Voting Rights Decision Will Drive Black Turnout in South
Black Democratic candidates for governor, the Senate and the House are hoping that attacks on Black representation will bring out Black voters in November.
Trump bashes Democrats on crime while campaigning for Michael Whatley in North Carolina
Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman, is facing former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in a critical race that will help decide which party controls the Senate.
Oregon lawmakers introduce federal bill to end 'corporate America’s chokehold' on health care
Oregon’s fight against corporate control of medicine moved onto the national stage on Wednesday as U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle and Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden–all Democrats–were among a group of lawmakers to introduce a federal version of Oregon’s landmark ban on the corporate practice of medicine.
The one issue where Republicans and Democrats are unified before the midterms, according to this poll
Americans have grown more concerned about the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence over the last year, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
Senate Republicans manage to advance farm bill with McConnell’s return
The measure still faces significant challenges as Democrats demand changes to SNAP provisions.
Senate Democrats meet with Abdul El-Sayed, rallying around Michigan nominee
Reporter's Notebook: House control could hinge on whether the old political rules still apply
Trump's mid-thirties approval and high gas prices favor Democrats, but redistricting and turnout questions could keep House races razor-tight.
House centrists propose four solutions to stop ‘extreme partisan gerrymandering’
The House Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of centrist Democrats and Republicans, unveiled its agenda to combat mid-decade redistricting, which has been adopted by red states and blue states alike to gain an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), the group’s co-chairs, said during a Wednesday press conference the […]
Can faith-based politics help Democrats win the midterms?
Candidates are highlighting their religion on the campaign trail
WATCH: House Democrats blasts 'do nothing' Republican majority in midterm pitch to voters
As midterms approach, House Democrats say they are fighting for affordability
The economy and cost of living are voters' top concerns 47 days before November's election
Iowa Republicans in battleground House races join vote to halt the Iran war
Two House Republicans in battleground Iowa districts changed their position on an Iran war powers resolution, joining with Democrats and a few other dissident members of their party in an attempt to halt President Donald Trump's ability to continue military action without congressional approval.
Iran war powers resolution passes House with seven Republican defections
House Democrats successfully passed a resolution directing President Donald Trump to end the Iran war for a third time, with three new Republicans breaking with the president from the usual four. The resolution passed 220-204 with seven Republicans supporting the measure, three more than who backed the legislation in two previous votes. Reps. Thomas Massie, […]
Antiestablishment anger is raging, and 4 other takeaways from primary season
But lessons from these contests will play a major role in the critical midterm elections
Why the Supreme Court’s rebuke of Trump might help democracy more than Democrats
The reactions to the US Supreme Court putting an end to President Donald Trump’s efforts to significantly restrict mail ballots in the 2026 midterm elections were about what you’d expect.
Crypto bill's defeat shows limits of industry's political machine
The U.S. Senate's vote against advancing a major crypto bill amid persistent opposition from Democrats and a handful of Republicans marks one of the most significant setbacks for the industry, showing the limits of its muscle in Washington.
Analysis-Crypto Bill's Defeat Shows Limits of Industry's Political Machine
By Hannah Lang and Michelle Price WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate's vote against advancing a major crypto bill amid persistent opposition from Democrats and a handful of Republicans marks one of the most significant setbacks for the industry, showing the limits of its muscle in ...
The public health insurance option isn't the great choice you think it is
Moderate Democrats have frequently been returning to an old Obamacare debate-era proposal called the public option. They often label it “Medicare for all who want it” in order to piggyback off the better known single-payer proposal. Those who desire reform but get anxious about a universal and single-payer insurance system dubbed “Medicare for All” understandably […]
House Democrats may use oversight powers to plan for health care overhaul
Democrats are mapping out their post-election strategy, and see health care probes as a winning issue.
7 Republicans rebel against Trump, vote with Dems to rein in Iran war powers
House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a war powers resolution reining in Trump's military engagement in Iran beyond the 60-day threshold.
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.
Democrats favored over Republicans on health care, immigration, economy: Survey
Democrats are ahead of Republicans on some of the issues most important to voters —immigration, health care and the economy—according to a new poll. In the New York Times/Siena University poll, 51 …
WATCH: Patel grilled on whether he'll send agents to the polls in November
Welch asked if Patel agrees with the president’s remark in this year’s State of the Union address that Democrats must cheat to win elections.
Senate blocks crypto regulation as Democrats push back on Trump investments
The 49-50 vote on whether to move forward with the legislation was a pivotal election-year test for the $2.3 trillion cryptocurrency market
Cook Political Report shifts New Hampshire toward Republican Sununu
Cook Political Report, an election handicapper, shifted its rating for the New Hampshire Senate race to “toss-up,” a significant move in Republicans’ favor, since Democrats need to keep that seat. …
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.
Vance tells Republicans running against a Democrat who’s ‘not that crazy’ to bring up Abdul El-Sayed instead
The vice president rallied Capitol Hill Republicans Tuesday, telling them that while they can’t pretend “everything is perfect” right now — they can blame Democrats.
Thomas Massie pushes surprise impeachment vote of Pete Hegseth
(CNN) — House Democrats were privately dreading a politically charged — but purely symbolic — vote on impeaching President Donald Trump triggered by one of their own members.
Senate is to vote on cryptocurrency regulation as Democrats push back on Trump investments
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is set to vote Tuesday on whether to move forward with legislation to create a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, a pivotal election-year test for the $2.3 trillion market as many Democrats say it doesn’t go far enough to rein in President Donald Trump’s investments. The vote, just two months […]
http://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-opening-remarks-health-subcommittee-legislative-hearing-0
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following opening remarks today at a Health Subcommittee hearing on "Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity:”
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.
FBI chief Kash Patel is set to face off with Democrats critical of his leadership at Senate hearing
FBI Director Kash Patel is set to return to Capitol Hill for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee
Democrats say supreme court rejection of Trump mail ballot restrictions will ensure ‘safe, secure and accurate elections’
Comments come after court on Monday rejected the president’s mail ballot restrictions ahead of the November midterm elections
Vance’s presence in Kansas signals how spooked Republicans are as map tilts in Democrats’ favor
The vice president is campaigning in the state on Monday as Sen. Roger Marshall (R) faces a tougher-than-expected challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton.
Democrats Gain Midterms Edge as Trump Drags Down Republicans, Per Times/Siena Poll
Even some Republicans are losing faith in Trump’s economy, a New York Times/Siena poll found, and Democrats were favored on the top issues as the sprint to the midterms gets underway.
Alex Bores Wants Democrats to Make AI Safety a 2028 Election Issue
Alex Bores, who lost a congressional primary contest that revolved around A.I. regulation, is trying to position himself at the center of the conversation for the next presidential election.
Inside Iowa Politics: Former presidential candidate O’Malley on Democrats’ 2026 chances
Former presidential candidate Martin O'Malley explained why he feels confident about Democrats' chances in 2026 elections.
Inside Iowa Politics: Former presidential candidate O’Malley on Democrats’ 2026 chances
Former presidential candidate Martin O'Malley explained why he feels confident about Democrats' chances in 2026 elections.
Inside Iowa Politics: Former presidential candidate O’Malley on Democrats’ 2026 chances
Former presidential candidate Martin O'Malley explained why he feels confident about Democrats' chances in 2026 elections.
Inside Iowa Politics: Former presidential candidate O’Malley on Democrats’ 2026 chances
Former presidential candidate Martin O'Malley explained why he feels confident about Democrats' chances in 2026 elections.
Albany County lawmakers reject clothing sales tax cut
The Republican-led measure split mainly down party lines, with most Democrats voting against the move.
A bitter battle is brewing in one of Washington state’s last swing districts
Democrats are looking to scoop up more legislative seats this November in Battle Ground and other chunks of Southwestern Washington as they edge toward a supermajority in Olympia — a shift that would give them broad power to pass legislation or redraw the state’s voting maps.
How Democrats Are Rethinking Election Protection for the 2026 Midterms
Democrats are gearing up to fight back against what they see as potential voter intimidation on the part of Republicans ahead of this year’s midterm elections. State parties announced Monday that they are launching an initiative called the “New Battlefield Project,” intended to recruit 10,000 ...
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.
Vance to Campaign in Kansas as Democrats Target a Republican Stronghold
Vice President JD Vance is beginning a key final stretch of midterm campaigning by dropping in on the Senate race in Kansas, where Republicans were long seen as heavily favored.
Sweden’s political parties launch coalition talks as both blocs try to secure power
Centre-left bloc led by Social Democrats has narrow lead with 95% of vote counted, but faces internal policy battle
Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power
Issue affects small group of people but is one of GOP’s most common talking points.
Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power
Issue affects small group of people but is one of GOP’s most common talking points.
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…
Texas Republicans denounce GOP statewide candidate for racist posts about UT students
Democrats also widely condemned Bo French’s posts.
How Democrats and activist groups are planning to push back if Trump tries to interfere in midterm elections
The anxious contingency planning as voting gets underway has become a marker for how fraught democracy has become in the country that once stood as an example to the world.
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 […]
Democrats adopting the socialist term may distract voters from the issues these candidates support
The growing focus on adopting socialism terminology could hurt Democrats in the upcoming midterm election cycle
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.
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.
The 9 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2026
With seven weeks until Election Day, control of the US Senate is up for grabs as Democrats go on offense in red territory and Republicans look to make headway in a small number of blue-held seats.
Sweden faces ‘very messy’ political situation after election, expert says
Sweden faces ‘very messy’ political situation after election, expert says. Lars Trägårdh, Professor of History at Ersta Sköndal University College in Stockholm, said Sweden’s election-winning Social Democrats would have to rely on “a very unwieldy coalition”, warning that the country faces a “very messy” political situation.
Alabama Democrats have had a few good weeks. But political gravity is tough.
Tommy Tuberville seems increasingly likely to need all of the Alabama GOP's advantages in the state. But they should be enough for him.
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.
Dire warnings about AI shock Congress, but action is unlikely before the election
Democrats and Republicans are proposing new regulations for artificial intelligence. But there’s no consensus, and the House has only one more workweek before Election Day.
Crypto’s political clout meets resistance on the left
A group of Senate Democrats is considering voting for an industry-friendly crypto bill. The left could make that painful.
Video. Sweden faces ‘very messy’ politics after election, expert says
Video. Lars Trägårdh, Professor of History at Ersta Sköndal University College in Stockholm, said Sweden’s election-winning Social Democrats would have to rely on “a very unwieldy coalition”, warning that the country faces a “very messy” political situation.
Sweden’s Parliamentary Election Heads to a Close Finish
For the Social Democrats, a victory would represent an opportunity to reverse or slow the broader erosion of Sweden’s liberal traditions.
Obama says Democrats should have a ‘very clear plan’ on AI policy
Researchers at AI companies have been warning about safety risks and industry leaders have called for a slowdown in development.
Iowa, national politicians court voters at CyHawk tailgates
Iowa candidates turned CyHawk tailgates into campaign stops Saturday, with Republicans and Democrats pitching voters on the issues they say matter most.
Political debate over AI intensifies amid warnings about ‘catastrophic risk’
(CNN) — The debate around artificial intelligence is ramping up in Washington, with Democratic lawmakers sounding alarms on the dangers they say the technology poses and Republican leaders suggesting those concerns are inflated and secondary to winning the AI race with China.Some Democratic lawmakers last week pressured House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the chamber immediately to work on AI regulation, citing what they describe as the “catastrophic risk posed by advanced artificial intelligence.” But the Louisiana Republican on Sunday resisted those calls, instead saying industry leaders should meet with lawmakers to find “balance” in any potential guardrails.“If Congress just races in and does some sort of emergency session to try to regulate AI, we will lose the race to China, and that is a threat to every single American,” Johnson said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama told Democrats to make artificial intelligence regulation a central part of their agenda during a private fundraiser Thursday, warning that the technology could be dangerous “if we don’t get on top of it.”In a fireside chat with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama said whoever runs in the 2028 presidential election should have a “very clear plan” on AI, adding that he saw the need for a “blueprint” on AI guardrails even at the end of his presidency a decade ago.“Certainly, if I were running for president next year, this would be one of my central agendas, and I would have a very clear plan, and I would talk about this, and I would say, ‘Here’s our plan for safety, here’s our plan for making sure our kids are not corrupted by this,’” he said, per excerpts of the remarks provided to CNN by his office. Obama’s remarks were first reported by the New York Times.Concerns over the rapid acceleration of AI reached a fever pitch after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a 3,800-word essay Saturday that the race to develop artificial intelligence is in dire need of a slowdown. The call to action came after an OpenAI test model breached the Hugging Face online platform, deepening concerns about cybersecurity.In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Saturday, Amodei called on industry leaders to work together to avoid “the wrong paths” and the possibility of AI harming humanity.One Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, resigned from the firm over worries that the industry wasn’t doing enough to prevent AI from destroying humanity by the end of the decade.Obama said Democrats need a plan to get their agenda on AI underway should they win the House majority in this year’s midterms.Speaking to Jeffries, who is presumed to be speaker of the House should Democrats prevail in November, Obama said, “Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation, and you can break it out into three or four or five issues.”Obama stressed that the framework should be centered on the reality that the technology can’t be stuffed “back into a box.”“This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous. If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial,” Obama said, laying out examples of AI’s potential use in drug development and finding pathways to a clean energy future.“We don’t want to shut off those opportunities, but we have to understand that this is a tool,” he said.Jeffries agreed with the former president in a statement provided to CNN on Sunday.“President Obama is correct that decisive action must be taken on Artificial Intelligence,” he said, adding, “In the majority, we will move urgently on this issue with a legislative response that recognizes the importance of American companies continuing to lead in the Artificial Intelligence area, while putting in place meaningful guardrails that protect the American people from bad actors and the very real damage that can be done to humanity.”Jeffries also accused Republicans of having “abdicated their responsibility to govern” and said Democrats “will not repeat their error.”A source familiar with Obama’s thinking said the former president sees Amodei’s letter and similar reaction from other tech moguls as an encouraging development.But President Donald Trump waved off their concerns, saying he is not worried about any existential threat posed by AI, focusing instead on the US winning in its development of the technology over China.“We’re leading China in AI. We’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way,” Trump said to reporters at the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday.About the concerns expressed by Democrats and others over the technology, the president said, “I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up, and they’re bringing up things that won’t happen.”One of Trump’s top economic advisers, Kevin Hassett, also rejected the calls for slowing the technology down, saying on Sunday the bigger concern is a scenario in which a “malevolent actor has access to an AI that’s better than the one we have that can protect us.”Hassett, the National Economic Council director, said on “State of the Union” the White House may hold meetings this week about addressing Amodei’s concerns, but he did not specify whether Trump had floated greater safeguards.“I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position,” Hassett said. “We are leading China right now.”CNN’s Alison Main and Molly English contributed to this report.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.THE-CNN-WIRE (TM) & © 2026 CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., A TIME WARNER COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
House Democrats urge Speaker Johnson to cancel recess to pass AI safeguards, citing ‘catastrophic’ risk
(CNN) — A group of House Democratic lawmakers is pressuring Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the chamber immediately and cancel an upcoming break to address what they describe as the
Trump dismisses AI leaders’ calls to slow down, citing Chinese competition
Democrats are increasingly attacking the administration’s hands-off approach to artificial-intelligence regulation as midterms approach.
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.
The Denver Broncos are on the ballot this fall
Do you want the Broncos to win the Super Bowl? Then you’d better hope Amendment 87 — which brings back Colorado’s economy-strangling “graduated” income tax — loses at the ballot box this fall. Seriously. Forget Republicans and Democrats. Forget tax policy. This is about Xs and Os — and whether Denver can afford the players […]
A wave is building for Democrats. Republicans are building a wall to stop it
The 2026 election will be decided where the wave meets the wall.
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.
Obama Urges Democrats to Move A.I. Oversight to the Center of Their Agenda
During a private fund-raiser, the former president warned that the technology could be “dangerous” if not managed urgently and with a clear plan.
Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton on data centers, skill games and more
Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton talks data centers, whether a skill games deadline will be met and what a trifecta for Democrats would mean.
Kansas candidates for governor used the State Fair debate to call each other extremists
At the State Fair debate, Democrat Cindy Holscher tied Republican Ty Masterson to former Gov. Sam Brownback, while Masterson compared Holscher to national Democrats. Both hope to court independent voters.
Calls for Democrats to be shot go unchallenged at Republican convention
Crowd member repeatedly said some Democrats ‘should be shot’ during Ted Cruz’s speech, without senator responding
Trump ally in Wisconsin sticks close to the president as Democrats push to flip swing district
Wisconsin Democrats are hoping to unseat a Republican congressman with close ties to President Donald Trump
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
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