Germany - Il Foglio

in Germany

The AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt

According to initial projections, the far-right party is expected to exceed 40 per cent. The CDU is predicted to fall below 20 per cent.

6 SEP 26

Black Saxony

Why does the far-right AfD hold such appeal for voters in the German region going to the polls?

After six years of stagnant growth amid crises, tariffs and pandemics, the traditional parties have failed in their mission to inspire Germans to dream, or at least to give them hope. Sunday’s vote is causing Chancellor Merz and his Social Democratic ally Klingbeil to tremble

Daniel Mosseri

5 SEP 26

IN GERMANY

Berlin closes the Russian House, a huge cultural centre and, it is believed, a hub for spies

Established under the GDR, the Russisches Haus has always been regarded as an outpost of Russian intelligence in Germany. Following the attacks in Leipzig, the German government ordered its closure, along with the consulate in Bonn, the last one still in operation

Lorenzo Monfregola

4 SEP 26

The map

How many governments have changed in Europe since Meloni took office at Palazzo Chigi?

Four prime ministers in the UK, five in France, two German chancellors and three Austrian chancellors. From Mark Rutte to Donald Tusk, a round-up of the European leaders who have succeeded one another whilst the prime minister’s coalition breaks the record for longevity in Italy

Giovanni Benedetti

3 SEP 26

EUROPEAN DEFENCE

The European Iron Dome

In the space of a week, three key NATO countries have turned to Israel for protection. Whilst Europe criticises the Israeli government, its security depends increasingly on the Jewish state’s weapons systems

Giulio Meotti

3 SEP 26

Russia carries out a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (Photo: Ansa, 28 August 2026)

attempts to destabilise

The AfD accuses Merz of applying “double standards” in an anti-Russian sense

The far-right party aiming to form a government in Saxony is fuelling Russia’s relentless pressure on Germany. But a chorus of solidarity is rising from the rest of Europe

Paola Peduzzi

3 SEP 26

“We will not tolerate this”

Following Germany’s accusation against Moscow over the Leipzig drone, von der Leyen finally uses the term ‘attack on Europe’

The Commission President receives Rutte at the Berlaymont and describes the incident in Leipzig as an attack using military equipment carried out by a Russian operation on European soil: this marks a shift in terminology from the usual language regarding ‘hybrid incidents’

Redazione

2 SEP 26