AfD Power Bid Meets Street Resistance: Germany’s far-right AfD re-elected co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla in Erfurt as thousands of protesters and clashes with police marked the party congress, underscoring how quickly the campaign is shifting from opposition to power. Ukraine & Missile Debate: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Ukraine doesn’t need Taurus cruise missiles because Kyiv is already striking deep with drones, while Berlin remains a key backer through air-defense deals. Nord Stream Fallout: AfD is calling to halt aid to Ukraine after a Nord Stream case indictment involving a Ukrainian suspect, feeding a wider political fight over responsibility and war-crime framing. NATO Summit Context: Turkey is tightening security ahead of the Ankara NATO summit and is positioning itself for major weapons deals, while Germany’s foreign minister sharply rebuked Turkey’s “totally inappropriate” Israel comments. Domestic Governance & Work Rules: Germany moves to tighten sick-leave rules, requiring a doctor’s note from day one, as public anger grows. Energy Transition: Renewables hit a record 58% of Germany’s electricity demand in the first half of 2026, with wind driving most of the growth.