Political leaders are holding crisis talks with car manufacturer Volkswagen, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets party colleagues after a challenging summer.

September is set to be a pivotal month in German history as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to win state elections for the first time, potentially securing its first state premier.

A debate is ongoing regarding the justification of criticism from East German state premiers concerning the 'pension at 63' policy, particularly when comparing East and West German employment histories and ignoring private provision options.

An article discussing the motivations of politicians, specifically East German state premiers regarding pension reform, through the lens of 'Public Choice' theory, offering a sobering perspective.

In Germany's East, the Green party is defending a CDU state premier, Sven Schulze, who seeks to slow down pension reform, a stance he shares with others in Saxony-Anhalt.

East German state premiers' demand to preserve the 'Rente mit 63' (early retirement at 63) is challenging the federal government's pension package and jeopardizing reform efforts, prompting calls for Chancellor Friedrich Merz to intervene.

Three CDU state premiers from East Germany, Kretschmer, Schulze, and Voigt, have voiced opposition to the abolition of pension without deductions at 45 years, aligning with Schwesig and against Merz. They emphasize the need for the federal government to consider the specific conditions in East Germany.

The federal government and German states have reached an agreement on new financial rules and cost-sharing logic during a conference of state premiers. Chancellor Merz described the agreement as opening a "new chapter" in cooperation.

Sahra Wagenknecht's political alliance, BSW, has indicated it would not oppose an AfD state premier if it enters the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, calling the 'firewall' against AfD 'completely idiotic'.

The AfD candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, who hopes to become the party's first state premier, has accused the domestic intelligence service of being 'politically directed'.

Leading German Union politicians have expressed support for Friedrich Merz amidst discussions about a potential chancellor change, with NRW Minister-President Wüst dismissing the speculation as 'nonsense' and Hesse's state premier Rhein calling for 'more Merz'.

An in-depth report details the strained and often contentious relationship between Australia's Prime Minister and a state premier, highlighting political tensions.

Bavarian state premier Markus Söder has criticized the German government's voluntary military service plan and called for the reintroduction of compulsory military service.

Following a significant surge at the end of the election campaign, the Green Party won the state parliamentary elections in Baden-Württemberg, with Cem Özdemir, dubbed the "Anatolian Swabian," now expected to become the new state premier.

The CDU party congress rejected a sugar tax proposal, but Schleswig-Holstein's state premier Günther plans to push for it through the Bundesrat, amidst other legislative developments in Germany.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected demands from state premiers to reform the country's Goods and Services Tax (GST) distribution system, stating it will not change under his leadership.

CDU state premiers are advocating for the 'Rente mit 63' (retirement at 63) plan, emphasizing specific considerations for East Germany, a stance that has met with resistance.

Björn Höcke, the leader of the far-right AfD in Thuringia, has offered to back populist Sahra Wagenknecht as state premier, signaling potential shifts in German regional politics.

A videopodcast discusses the rebellion of East German state premiers over pensions and the AfD's record poll numbers, raising questions about the economic marginalization of the East and the party's momentum.

East German state premiers are resisting reforms to the retirement age of 63, with critics arguing their opposition is dangerous and audacious, undermining necessary pension reform.

A debate has erupted in Germany over potential improvements to the 'Rente mit 63' (pension at 63) policy, following criticism from three East German CDU state premiers regarding the black-red coalition's pension package.

Three CDU state premiers, Kretschmer, Schulze, and Voigt, have joined Schwesig in opposing the abolition of pension without deductions at 45 years, arguing that the federal government must consider conditions in East Germany.

Cem Özdemir, the Turkish-German Green Party state premier of Baden-Württemberg, reportedly faced significant political trouble for his private use of frequent flyer points.

At a conference of German state premiers, leaders from Eastern German states criticized the lack of transparency in the handling of a special fund designated for infrastructure renovation and expansion.

The Thuringian State Chancellery has admitted that an opinion piece published in 'Die Welt' under the names of two state premiers, Schulze and Voigt, was generated using artificial intelligence.

Ulrich Sigmund, the leader of the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, could become the first state premier from the party, outlining his plans if he wins the upcoming regional elections.

The method used by former German state premiers Roland Koch and Peer Steinbrück to reduce financial aid and tax benefits more than two decades ago is being recalled, highlighting their more ambitious approach compared to the current federal government.

Hessen's Minister President Boris Rhein has urged caution and empathy in the planned pension reforms, emphasizing that the working middle class should not be burdened by cuts.

Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff has advocated for a reduction in energy tax to lower fuel prices, arguing that the federal treasury should not profit from the oil price crisis.

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's leading candidate, could become the first AfD state premier in Saxony-Anhalt if the party emerges as the strongest force in the state election on September 6. The article profiles the 35-year-old candidate.

A candidate from the far-right AfD party could potentially become a state premier in Germany in September, a development that Der Spiegel has described by calling the politician "the most dangerous man in Germany."

A German article discusses the motives of East German state premiers regarding the pension package, offering a sobering answer based on 'Public Choice' theory.

A growing number of retirees in Germany are holding jobs, with one in seven working in 2025, while employer associations express dismay over some state premiers' desire to retain the 'Rente mit 63' policy.

Three CDU state premiers in Germany are reportedly prepared for the 'pension at 63' policy to soon become a thing of the past, indicating a shift in the ongoing pension debate.

CDU state premiers in East Germany are advocating for the preservation of early retirement at age 63, a move that could undermine the financing of a proposed new capital pension scheme.

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, is described as a charismatic figure who aims to make history by becoming the first AfD state premier.

The use of AI by politicians for writing, as admitted by a state premier and suspected of a digital minister, raises questions about whether it constitutes fraud and if public perception of AI-assisted writing has shifted.

German federal politicians are considering the idea of bundling state elections into central 'midterms,' prompting discussion among state premiers about the feasibility and potential hurdles of such a proposal.

Most people in Germany expect a premier from the far-right AfD to lead at least one state after elections in the autumn, a survey has found. The Brenner Pass linking Austria and Italy has reopened.

Former state premier Albig has recommended cooperation between the SPD and AfD parties in Germany, a development reported within a liveblog covering various German political and economic news.

Cem Özdemir has become the first state premier of Turkish origin in Germany, leading his Green party to victory in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg in March.

Bavaria's state premier Markus Söder is visiting North Carolina, including a stop at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, following a visit to Texas.

Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President Günther has strongly reiterated his demand for a social media ban for younger individuals, describing the current situation as a path 'into the abyss,' a view shared by others.

Michael Schaust, who drove state premiers across Germany for over 30 years, shares anecdotes, including which topic Malu Dreyer asked him for advice on and what he always kept in the car.