[LA: It is striking how much the situation in Germany mirrors that of England, in particular the race to armaments at the expense of the welfare state, and the increase in the price of energy due to sanctions against Russian oil and gas.  The situation created would be intolerable to the population in England if they knew the real causes.]

Violations of NATO airspace, drone attacks, GPS attacks, incendiary devices, destroyed undersea cables – whenever there is an explosion or a foul smell somewhere, German politicians and the mainstream media immediately conclude: it was the Russians! The fact that there is often no evidence, and that the suspicion is sometimes even explicitly refuted afterwards, is no problem – they simply stop reporting on it. What sticks in the public consciousness is the feeling that Putin is waging war against us, that we absolutely must rearm and become ‘fit for war’. What all these ‘attacks’ by Russia are about and why we must be careful not to be lied into a major war – that’s what my new weekly review is about.

Armament destroys the welfare state

During budget discussions, Chancellor Merz announced his intention to implement far-reaching cuts in the welfare state – in other words, further deterioration in pensions, healthcare, nursing care and unemployment benefits. While there is supposedly no money for ‘social promises’, the financial resources for weapons and war preparations are apparently unlimited: Next year, military spending is set to be increased to a total of 108 billion euros. And while there is already a funding gap of 30 billion euros in the budget plan for 2027, a further significant increase in military spending to 136 billion euros, or 136,000,000,000 euros, is planned for 2028. Of course, no welfare state can withstand such an arms build-up. If Merz and Klingbeil manage to push through four years of this, our social systems will be in ruins. This makes it all the more important to keep up the pressure to clear the way for a proper recount of the federal election. Because then the BSW would very likely enter the Bundestag – and the unspeakable Merz coalition would no longer be able to run our country into the ground, as it would no longer have a parliamentary majority.

Inflation eats away at wages

Germans have become significantly poorer in recent years. Although incomes rose slightly by an average of 9.5 per cent between 2021 and 2024, this is far from enough to offset the 15.7 per cent inflation rate. Rising prices for heating, electricity and food are eating away at wages – the bottom line is a big minus in citizens’ wallets! When the Chancellor says that citizens have been living beyond their means for years, it is a real insult in view of these figures! Income losses are likely to become even greater under Merz if pensions, healthcare and social benefits are cut in the ‘autumn of reforms’ to pay for rearmament loans. And the Black-Red coalition has no solution for the enormously high energy prices that are making citizens poorer and driving more and more companies into ruin. According to a recent calculation, heating costs are set to rise significantly again this year. For an average flat that uses natural gas, the increase will be a full 15 per cent. We finally need a policy that improves people’s standard of living instead of reaching deeper and deeper into their pockets. Affordable energy from Russia instead of self-defeating sanctions! Diplomacy and détente instead of rearmament and social cuts!

Behind the scenes at our peace rally

Our peace rally was a complete success: 20,000 people took to the streets in Berlin to send a message of peace and listen to powerful speeches by Dieter Hallervorden, Massiv, Bausa, Daniel Aminati and Gabriele Krone-Schmalz. Watch the video to see how this great day unfolded and what went on behind the scenes.

Why does the German government not recognise Palestine?

In a speech at the United Nations, Foreign Minister Wadephul described Gaza as ‘hell on earth’. So why does the German government continue to supply weapons to Israel? And why does the German government not recognise Palestine as a state? This double standard is intolerable! While France, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium and Monaco recognised Palestine at the UN General Assembly, Wadephul speaks of a ‘process’ in which the recognition of a Palestinian state must be ‘at the end’. How hypocritical is that?! Does the German government want to wait until Netanyahu has created a fait accompli with the complete destruction and expulsion of the Palestinians in Gaza and the annexation of the illegally occupied territories in the West Bank? Recognition now would send an important signal to Israel that peace in the Middle East conflict can only be achieved with a two-state solution! The German government must finally abandon its unconditional loyalty to the extreme right-wing Israeli government.

Press reports on BSW election appeal

For months, the media tried to silence the BSW’s election appeal. After the two renowned political scientists Eckhard Jesse and Uwe Wagschal explained in an essay in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) why a nationwide recount is urgently needed in view of the close result and many inconsistencies, two other media outlets have now followed suit and reported on the status of the review of our appeal by the Bundestag’s election review committee. The articles can be found here and here.