Alexander Dobrindt
German politician
Photo: Sigismund von Dobschütz, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- 4d ago
Germany's intelligence chief warns Russia will keep up attacks, even after Ukraine war ends
On Monday, 12 October, BfV chief Sinan Selen said Russia may plan killings on German soil and that the threat would outlast any end to the war in Ukraine. Interior minister Alexander Dobrindt described a 'shadow war' aimed at destabilising the country.
- Oct 7
France opens technical dialogue with Taliban to deport Afghan nationals
Paris has begun technical consultations with Kabul authorities to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in France who pose a threat to public order.
- Oct 2
Steinmeier intervenes in German coalition standoff over healthcare, pensions, and taxes
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier held crisis calls with Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt following disputes over social reforms and tax policy.
- Oct 1
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz falls to 10% approval in ARD poll
A survey conducted by Infratest dimap for broadcaster ARD shows only 10% of German voters approve of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the lowest rating for any chancellor since polling began in 1997, as the AfD leads federal voting intentions at 27%.
- Oct 1
German Chancellery halts Lars Klingbeil's sugar tax draft after coalition dispute
The German Chancellery has blocked Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's proposed levy on sugary drinks, extending a week of governing coalition friction that prompted intervention by the federal president.
- Sep 26
Germany urges expanded Frontex powers and fast-track deportations after Ceuta border surge
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called for a 24-hour Frontex rapid reaction unit and fast-track deportation mechanisms during a migration summit in Munich with 18 European counterparts.
- Sep 24
German lawmakers debate intelligence reform granting BND and BfV active cyber counterstrike powers
The German Bundestag held its first reading debate on 24 September 2026 on legislation that permits the BND and BfV to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign threats.
- Sep 23
Germany adopts 10-point plan to cut welfare for fugitives and curb fraud
The federal cabinet has approved measures to block basic income payments to individuals evading arrest warrants and dismantle exploitative housing rings across the country.
- Sep 17
Germany unveils ten-point plan to combat organized welfare fraud and housing exploitation
Federal ministers Bärbel Bas and Alexander Dobrindt have presented a ten-point strategy to crack down on organized benefit fraud rings, slum housing, and sham employment across Germany.
- Sep 11
Germany charges seven suspected Hamas operatives over planned attack on Jewish targets
German federal prosecutors have indicted seven suspected Hamas operatives in Berlin for procuring automatic weapons and plotting attacks against Israeli representatives and Jewish targets across Germany and Austria.
- Sep 7
Technical fault caused Berlin substation fire and explosion, police chief says
An overnight fire and explosion at an electrical substation in Berlin-Tiergarten was caused by a technical short circuit rather than sabotage, according to preliminary police findings.
- Sep 2
Germany blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone attack and shuts Bonn consulate
German authorities identified two Russian-linked suspects behind an explosive drone plot targeting a Ukrainian Antonov transport plane at Leipzig/Halle airport, prompting Berlin to close Russian diplomatic offices.
- Sep 1
Germany blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone plot and shuts Bonn consulate
German authorities have formally attributed an August drone attack attempt targeting Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport to Russian intelligence, ordering the closure of Russia's Bonn consulate and canceling the lease of the Russian House in Berlin.
- Aug 25
Germany deports 23 Afghan nationals to Kabul in expanded removal policy
A charter flight escorted by federal police departed Leipzig/Halle Airport for Kabul on Tuesday morning, bringing total deportations of Afghan nationals in this legislative period to 228.
- Aug 25
German cabinet sets autumn timetable for pension and tax reforms at retreat
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his ministers concluded a two-day retreat in Brandenburg, committing to pass two-part pension legislation and tax reforms before the end of 2026.
- Aug 23
Volkswagen agrees to 100,000 job cuts and plant reviews under 2030 restructuring plan
The supervisory board approved a turnaround plan targeting a 9% operating margin by 2030, putting four German factories under review and halving the company model range by 2035.
- Aug 20
Alexander Dobrindt tours Thuringia fire station and warns against AfD polarization
During a visit to Eisenach, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt joined a firefighting exercise, discussed coalition disputes in Berlin, and reiterated plans to keep border controls in place through March 2027.
- Aug 13
Italy refuses Germany's Dublin migrant returns, citing pre-pact bilateral agreement
Italy has formally told Germany it will not accept the return of three migrants Berlin planned to expel under Dublin rules, citing a bilateral deal and demanding compensation for NGO rescues.
- Aug 12
German cabinet approves sweeping intelligence reform granting spy agencies hacking and sabotage powers
Germany's cabinet approved a 700-page draft bill on August 12 granting the BND and BfV intelligence services broad new powers to hack communications, manipulate data, and conduct sabotage abroad, in what officials call the largest reform since World War II.
- Aug 9
Germany warns of 'daily hybrid warfare' after explosive drone found at Leipzig airport
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that Germany faces daily hybrid warfare from foreign powers, after an explosive-laden drone was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane on August 4.
