Merkel Criticizes Merz for Alliance with AfD on Migration Policy

Albrecht Weinberg, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor, has announced he will return his federal order of merit to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in protest against the Bundestag's recent approval of an anti-immigration motion with support from the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Expressing his horror, Weinberg stated, “What happened in the Bundestag on Wednesday reminded me of Germany in 1933” when Hitler rose to power through legitimate political means, according to *The Guardian*. The motion, backed by the conservative alliance of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), proposes new policies to turn away migrants at the German border and streamline deportations. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a separation between mainstream parties and the far-right, a stance echoed by other political leaders and Holocaust survivors. Weinberg, who lost family members in Auschwitz, condemned the vote, drawing parallels to Nazi-era tactics against Jews. In a declaration of solidarity, fellow survivor Eva Umlauf also highlighted the dangers of mainstreaming extremist views, noting, “We all know how German politicians once thought they could cooperate with Hitler.”

A tragic incident unfolded in Berlin-Marzahn on Thursday evening, as a 16-year-old boy reportedly fatally stabbed his 59-year-old father. According to police, the altercation occurred in the stairwell of a residential building on Liebensteiner Straße, where a witness alerted authorities after hearing loud screams around 5:30 PM. First responders arrived to find the man unresponsive; attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. The teenager, who has not been identified, was arrested on the upper floor of the building. Reports indicate that he attempted to revive his father prior to the police's arrival. Investigators recovered the weapon, which is currently undergoing forensic examination. Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind this shocking act, and an autopsy is planned to ascertain the details of the victim's injuries. The 6th homicide commission is leading the investigation and encourages anyone with information to come forward.

A recent report by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) reveals a significant decline in support for mainstream political parties in major democracies, with confidence plummeting from 73% in 2000 to 51% today. Surveying over 12,000 voters across the UK, US, Australia, Germany, France, and Canada, the TBI found that dissatisfaction with centre-left and centre-right parties stems from voters doubting their competence and integrity rather than ideological shifts. The study identified two groups of voters: "insiders," who still believe in mainstream politicians, and "outsiders," who have lost faith and turned to populist alternatives. Economic pessimism is prevalent, with many expecting future generations to be worse off, particularly in the UK, where 49% share this outlook. Researchers concluded that addressing legitimate grievances, especially regarding immigration, and leveraging technology like AI could help bridge the growing divide. Ryan Wain, TBI's executive director for politics, warned mainstream parties to "disrupt or be disrupted" in order to regain public trust.