LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.

When are the German Elections?

The Elections are on Sunday the 23rd of Feb 2025

Why are they having a snap election?

The German coalition government failed a no confidence vote

Do Germans vote?

Germans vote in big numbers, usually as high 70+ percent voter turnout

Family of student pilot killed in crash mourns latest Harv’s Air victims

Get you up to speed: ‘Our hearts shattered’: Family of student pilot killed in crash mourns victims of latest Harv’s Air plane crash

Two people died in a plane crash on Friday evening in Steinbach. This incident follows a mid-air collision last summer that resulted in the death of a student pilot.

The investigation into the recent plane crash is ongoing, with authorities yet to disclose specific details regarding the circumstances of the incident. This marks the second fatal crash in the area in less than a year, raising concerns about aviation safety in the region.

The family of the deceased student pilot expressed their heartbreak following the latest plane crash that claimed two lives in Steinbach. Local authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident but are expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

What remains unclear — The circumstances surrounding the latest plane crash and its connection to the previous incident are not detailed.

Family of student pilot killed in crash mourns latest Harv’s Air victims

Family of student pilot killed in crash mourns latest Harv’s Air victims
The family of a student pilot who died in a mid-air collision in Steinbach last summer is shattered to hear two people are dead after another plane crash Friday evening. 

Ed Sheeran resumes concert tour in Philadelphia without opening acts

Get you up to speed: Ed Sheeran resumes tour with no openers: "I'm so, so sorry"

Ed Sheeran resumed his concert tour in Philadelphia this weekend, performing at Lincoln Financial Field without any supporting acts. The concert took place amid ongoing controversy.

Ed Sheeran’s concert tour will continue in various locations over the coming weeks, with further performances scheduled in multiple cities. The circumstances surrounding the controversy remain unclear, and officials have not provided additional information at this time.

Following the controversial start to his tour, Ed Sheeran’s management issued a statement emphasising their commitment to ensuring a smooth concert experience for fans. Ticket sales have reportedly surged despite the surrounding discussions, with the next concert scheduled in Toronto.

What remains unclear — It is not specified what controversies are surrounding Ed Sheeran’s concert tour.

Ed Sheeran resumes concert tour in Philadelphia without opening acts

This weekend, British pop star Ed Sheeran resumed his concert tour in Philadelphia, with no openers, amid a world of controversy. Jared Ochacher reports from outside Lincoln Financial Field.

Woman, 66, killed by brown bear outside her home in Siberia

Get you up to speed: Bear prowls into garden and mauls woman, 66, to death | News World

A woman in her sixties, identified as Lyudmila T, was mauled to death by a brown bear outside her home in Verkhniy Kebezh, Krasnoyarsk region, Russia. Authorities confirmed she died at the scene from injuries consistent with a wild animal attack, and the bear had disappeared by the time police arrived.

Investigators are exploring the possibility that Lyudmila T was attacked outside after hearing a disturbance in her garden, although a definitive account has yet to be established. Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry reports that bear populations have significantly increased, with nearly 30 bear attacks recorded annually across the country, a statistic that correlates with the rising number of fatal encounters.

Russian authorities confirmed that the investigation into Lyudmila T’s death from a bear attack is ongoing, with officials examining how she came to be outside her home. The Natural Resources Ministry is reportedly considering measures to address increasing encounters between humans and bears, linked to food accessibility in urban areas.

What remains unclear — Investigators have not confirmed the exact sequence of events that led to Lyudmila being outside her home at the time of the attack.

Woman, 66, killed by brown bear outside her home in Siberia

Woman, 66, killed by brown bear outside her home in Siberia
Lyudmila was killed by a brown bear outside her house (Pictures: east2west news)

A woman in her sixties was mauled to death by a brown bear outside her home on the edge of a remote forest.

The victim, identified by Russian media only as Lyudmila T, was found around 50ft from her house in Verkhniy Kebezh, in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region. She’d died at the scene from injuries that investigators said were consistent with an attack by a wild animal.

Local reports said that she lived alone in a house on the edge of the village, close to dense woodland. She was due to celebrate her 67th birthday in little more than a month.

The bear is believed to have entered her garden during the night of September 16. The garden fence was found damaged, while scratches were discovered on the wooden wall beneath an open window.

A brown bear tries to break into a private house in Ust-Ilimsk, Russia's Irkutsk region
A brown bear paws at the door of a home near Ust-Ilimsk in Russia’s Irkutsk region (Picture: east2west news)

Early accounts claimed that the animal had broken into the property and dragged the woman from her bedroom. Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed that she had been killed near her home, but those people looking into what happened reportedly found no evidence that the bear had actually entered the house.

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Authorities believe that the 66 year-old was most likely attacked outside. One possibility being examined is that she heard a disturbance in the garden and went to see what was happening.

Emergency service sources quoted by Russian news agency TASS said that Lyudmila may have heard a noise in her garden and looked through the window, at which point the bear grabbed her.

Mother-of-eight Lyudmila Prokofievna, 66, was attacked by a brown bear through a window in her bedroom and ravaged to death in Verkhniy Kebezh, Krasnoyarsk region, Russia.
Bear paw prints were found in Verkhniy Kebezh, the village where Lyudmila was killed (Picture: east2west news)

That account hasn’t been conclusively established and the investigation into the circumstances of her death is continuing. Officials have confirmed that a window had been left open for ventilation, but haven’t said precisely how Lyudmila came to be outside.

A neighbour was staying at the house on the night of the incident and was reportedly asleep on a mattress beneath the window. She wasn’t injured.

The fence around the front garden was also damaged, leading officials to suspect that the bear had climbed or forced its way onto the land. Photographs released from the scene show marks on the outside of the house.

Grandmother Galina Teterina, 73, was mauled to death by brown bear while mushroom picking near her home village of Podtysovo in Siberia, Russia
Lyudmila’s body was found around 50ft from her home (Picture: east2west news)

The animal had disappeared by the time that police arrived. Hunters and officers were still searching for it when the authorities issued their initial account.

Verkhniy Kebezh is a small settlement in the Ermakovsky district of southern Krasnoyarsk in Siberia.

Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry said that around 20 to 30 bear attacks are recorded across the country in a typical year.

Officials have linked some encounters to animals finding easily available food in bins and open waste containers.

GettyImages 2161900959 7750
Russia has suffered a series of deadly encounters involving brown bears this summer (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Lyudmila T was the fourth person killed by a bear in the Krasnoyarsk area in just a matter of weeks.

There have been at least 12 bear-related deaths recorded across Russia since the beginning of 2026.

The country’s estimated brown bear population has also risen considerably over recent decades.

Ministry figures put it at approximately 307,900 in 2026, compared with about 130,000 in 1990.

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Macron and Carney strengthen Canada-France ties amid US relations strain

Macron and Carney strengthen Canada-France ties amid US relations strain

Bilateral cooperation
France and Canada agreed to deepen cooperation across key sectors, including fisheries, regional security, and energy infrastructure during a summit in Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
Strategic Partnership
Canada’s potential “associate member” status within the EU highlights a significant shift towards deeper economic and security cooperation amid geopolitical tensions, particularly with the US.
Strengthening Ties
“This is an important moment,” stated Emmanuel Macron, emphasising the significance of the discussions to bolster bilateral economic ties and defence relationships with Canada.

Macron and Carney vow closer France-Canada ties amid strained US relations

Macron and Carney strengthen Canada-France ties amid US relations strain

Published on

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France and Canada are “two great independent nations who want to stay that way” during a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday.

The bilateral summit—held in the French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located just off Canada’s Atlantic coast—comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained relations between the two nations and the United States.

Carney stated that the time had come to significantly strengthen ties with France and the European Union. His comments follow a high-profile visit to Brussels and Strasbourg, where the European Commission formally proposed granting Canada “associate member” status within the bloc.

Macron confirmed that Paris and Ottawa would work together to deepen cooperation across key sectors, including fisheries, regional security, and energy infrastructure.

Looking beyond bilateral ties, Carney proposed establishing a four-way collaborative framework involving France, Canada, the US, and China to oversee the development and governance of artificial intelligence.

The leaders delivered their remarks following a working lunch and a series of high-level meetings on the island earlier in the day.

Foundations of new Atlantic ties amid Trump’s unpredictability

US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, demands for economic concessions, and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state have pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on its southern neighbour and pursue deeper economic, security, and political ties with Europe.

“This is an important moment,” Macron said on Saturday upon his arrival. He noted that the bilateral discussions “will allow us… to strengthen our bilateral economic ties and defence relationship.”

Macron added that Sunday’s talks form part of broader European efforts to secure stable energy supplies as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global energy markets, stoking fears of sustained price increases for fuel and other essential commodities.

“Canada is a country with significant resources of critical minerals and rare earths. It is also a major oil and natural gas producer,” Macron said. “What we want to do is conclude agreements to secure more liquefied natural gas that can be shipped to Europe’s Atlantic coast.”

Carney’s office confirmed in a statement that the leaders discussed deepening the Canada-France partnership across strategic sectors, including aerospace, energy, critical minerals, and advanced technologies such as quantum computing, satellites, and supercomputing.

The meeting also comes in the wake of Trump’s announcement regarding a deal on Greenland that will expand the US military presence on the island while maintaining Danish sovereignty, ending months of threats by the US president to seize the semi-autonomous territory of a fellow NATO ally.

Macron publicly welcomed the resolution on Saturday.

“Danish sovereignty is being respected; international law is being respected,” Macron stated. “Anything that helps ease tensions is a good thing.”

Additional sources • AFP, AP

Merz faces political pressure after historic defeat in German state elections

Media Lens: Merz faces political pressure after historic defeat in German state elections

Story focus: Friedrich Merz faces leadership test after elections.

Primary entity: Friedrich Merz   |   Region: Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces significant challenges following his party’s historic defeat in state elections. The results prompt a reevaluation of his leadership and the party’s strategy going forward.

Quick links: What has happened | Status quo | Confirmed facts | Preconceptions | Elisions | One story, four angles | Related links


What has happened

In the recent German state elections, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), faced significant defeats, marking one of the worst results in postwar history. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surged, capturing substantial support that raised concerns about the future political landscape in the country.

Following the election results, Merz described the outcome as a “disaster” and committed to pressing ahead with reforms despite the setbacks. As the CDU navigates this challenging situation, the party’s leadership is under scrutiny to respond effectively to shifts in voter sentiment and maintain its influence in German politics.

Status quo

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany is facing significant challenges following recent state elections that resulted in his party’s worst performance in postwar history. The elections saw a notable increase in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, prompting Merz to describe the results as a “disaster.” In response, he has vowed to continue pursuing needed reforms amidst this political setback.

Confirmed facts

  • Friedrich Merz is the Chancellor of Germany.
  • Merz’s party has experienced the worst state election result in postwar German history.
  • There has been a surge in support for the far-right party, AfD (Alternative for Germany).
  • Merz referred to the state election results as a “disaster.”
  • The leadership of Merz is currently being tested due to these election results.

Preconceptions

  • NPR prioritizes political implications by immediately referencing Friedrich Merz’s leadership challenges following the election results, positioning it within a broader narrative of governance and political stability.
  • CNN emphasizes the emotional impact of the results, describing Merz’s response by characterizing the election outcome as a “disaster” while highlighting the rise of the far-right, thus focusing more on societal reactions.
  • Reuters primarily conveys the factual outcomes and implications of the state election results, with less emphasis on personal sentiments, instead focusing on the implications for party leadership and future political strategies.
  • Bloomberg highlights the historical significance of the election result as the worst for Merz’s party in postwar German history, underscoring the elections’ long-term implications rather than immediate political fallout.
  • Comparatively, all publications reduce emphasis on other political parties’ performances, focusing predominantly on the implications for Merz’s party, thus reflecting a narrower angle in their coverage.

Elisions

  • Coverage disparities in response to the elections in Germany highlight a major gap: while NPR focuses on Chancellor Merz’s vow to continue reforms despite election setbacks, CNN emphasizes the election results as a “disaster” primarily due to the rise of the far-right AfD party, showcasing differing perspectives on the same event.
  • Reuters presents the election outcome as the worst result for Merz’s party in postwar Germany, highlighting a stark contrast with Bloomberg, which discusses Merz’s election as a “historic defeat” without deeply analyzing the implications of the far-right’s influence.
  • CNN’s report attributes specific quotes and narratives from political insiders that are absent from Reuters, indicating a lack of in-depth analysis and personal perspectives from officials, which could enhance understanding of the political dynamics at play.

One story, four angles


NPRGermany’s Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic state election defeat

Publication: NPR | Intensity: (7/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Moderate

Expand

Espresso Shot: The lead focuses on Merz’s resilience following setbacks, effectively portraying him as determined to reform despite defeat.

Key differences:
– **Comparison:** NPR emphasizes Merz’s commitment by stating “press ahead with reforms,” contrasting with other outlets that focus more on the electoral loss itself.
– **Example:** The term “historic state election defeat” is less emotionally charged compared to others that label results as a “disaster.”
– **Placement:** NPR positions Merz’s resolve as central, using a straightforward narrative style.

Bias: Selection: Highlights Merz’s determination rather than the aftermath of the defeat | Language: Employs neutral language to frame the outlook | Omission: Less focus on the implications of the electoral loss for the party’s future.

Assessment: Readers believe Merz remains committed to reform despite significant electoral challenges.


CNNChancellor Merz calls Germany state elections results a “disaster,” as far-right surge again

Publication: CNN | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: Moderate

Expand

Espresso Shot: The focus starts on the description of the results as a “disaster,” leading readers to perceive the elections as a significant setback.

Key differences:
– **Comparison:** CNN’s characterization of the election results as a “disaster” creates a stark contrast with NPR’s neutral tone, instilling a more alarmed perspective.
– **Example:** The phrase “far-right surge” introduces a sense of urgency and concern, while NPR’s framing is more about Merz’s reforms.
– **Placement:** CNN places Merz’s dire outlook about the elections at the forefront, guiding reader perception towards the implications of rising far-right influence.

Bias: Selection: Emphasizes negatives, like the “disaster” label and far-right implications, which skews the narrative | Language: Uses highly charged terms that amplify urgency | Omission: Less emphasis on Merz’s resolve or future plans beyond this electoral result.

Assessment: Readers are led to believe that the election results are a severe blow to German politics and highlight troubling trends with the far-right.


ReutersAfD ahead as Merz rues ‘disaster’ in worst state election result in postwar Germany

Publication: Reuters | Intensity: (9/10) | Sentiment: Highly Negative | Legal precision: High

Expand

Espresso Shot: The lead highlights the AfD’s rise alongside Merz’s acknowledgment of the election as a “disaster,” pushing readers to understand the gravity of this political shift.

Key differences:
– **Comparison:** Reuters presents the election results as the “worst” in postwar history, deepening the sense of crisis compared to CNN’s portrayal.
– **Example:** The expression “rues ‘disaster'” suggests accountability and regret, which sets a much darker tone than the expressions used by NPR and CNN.
– **Placement:** The emphasis on postwar history situates the election results within a larger, alarming context of German politics.

Bias: Selection: Focuses heavily on the severity of the results, potentially overshadowing Merz’s strategies | Language: Uses impactful language like “worst” and “disaster” for heightened emotional resonance | Omission: Less focus on what Merz might do post-election or his plans for reforms.

Assessment: Readers believe the situation is critically challenging for Merz and German politics, emphasizing an urgent need for introspection and strategy.


BloombergMerz Party Has Worst State Result in Postwar German History

Publication: Bloomberg | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Highly Negative | Legal precision: High

Expand

Espresso Shot: The lead underscores the enormity of the electoral loss, directing focus to the historical significance of the results for Merz’s party.

Key differences:
– **Comparison:** Bloomberg leverages a strong historical perspective similar to Reuters but focuses solely on Merz’s party.
– **Example:** The phrase “worst state result” establishes a grave tone, while NPR’s approach is more hopeful.
– **Placement:** The framing indicates a critical realistic assessment, urging readers to consider the electoral implications.

Bias: Selection: Prioritizes the negative implications of the election for Merz, sidelining potential responses | Language: Direct and somber language contributes to a strong sense of urgency and despair | Omission: Less discussion on forward-looking strategies or the party’s adaptations to this political landscape.

Assessment: Readers are led to believe that Merz’s party faces significant challenges, possibly jeopardizing its future position in German politics.


In comparing the framing of recent German state elections, NPR focuses on the challenges facing Chancellor Merz while highlighting his intentions to press ahead with reforms, presenting a relatively measured perspective. Conversely, CNN and Reuters adopt a more escalatory tone, framing the results as a “disaster” and emphasizing the rise of far-right parties, thus intensifying the political narrative. Bloomberg similarly emphasizes the election’s severe implications, marking it as the worst result in postwar history. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.


NPR

Germany’s Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic state election defeat

CNN

Chancellor Merz calls Germany state elections results a “disaster,” as far-right surge again

Reuters

AfD ahead as Merz rues ‘disaster’ in worst state election result in postwar Germany

bloomberg.com

Merz Party Has Worst State Result in Postwar German History

Macron and Carney unveil plans to strengthen Canada-France ties

Get you up to speed: France’s Macron and Canada’s Carney announce plans to build stronger ties

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for increased cooperation on energy, defence, and space during a media conference on the island archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The announcement reflects Canada’s aim to strengthen ties with the EU amid a trade dispute with the United States.

Canada and France will focus on cooperation across energy, defence, space, and additional sectors as part of their strategic partnership. The discussions about Canada’s potential status as the EU’s first “associate member” follow European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent proposal, indicating a shift towards closer relations following trade tensions with the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron announced their commitment to enhance cooperation in various sectors to strengthen ties between Canada and the European Union. As the trade war with the United States escalates, Canada aims to establish a “unique alliance” with the EU, which may lead to Canada becoming the first “associate member” of the bloc.

What remains unclear — It is not clear what specific terms will govern Canada’s potential status as an associate member of the EU.

Macron and Carney unveil plans to strengthen Canada-France ties

News|European UnionFrance’s Macron and Canada’s Carney announce plans to build stronger ties

Announcement comes as Canada seeks a closer relationship with the EU amid a trade war with the US.

Published On 20 Sep 202620 Sep 2026

Canada and France will pursue cooperation on energy, defence, space and other sectors, in what their leaders say is a reflection of shared values between the two countries.

The announcement was made on Sunday during a joint media conference by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron on the island archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic.

The French territory is only about 25km (15.5 miles) from Newfoundland in Canada. Macron said it is a reflection of the historic closeness between the two countries, who “see the present from the same angle”.

Parts of Canada were once French colonies and French is still one of Canada’s two official languages, along with English.

“We both believe in democracy, in the rule of law, in the respect of international law, in the respect of free and fair commerce and trade,” Macron said alongside Carney. “That is why we support this future alliance, that you named as an associate member of the EU.”

Carney said both countries see eye to eye on protecting sovereignty, and that this meant going beyond “being able to feed, fuel and defend ourselves” to being able to secure access to AI, space, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy. Carney said the time had come to strengthen bonds between Canada, France and the European Union based on their “shared values”.

The remarks came as Canada looks to reduce its dependence on the United States amid the escalating trade dispute between the neighbours and instead move closer to the EU.

Carney has said Canada seeks a “unique alliance” with the economic and political bloc, which would fall short of being a full member state. Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member.”

Canadian and European leaders have openly said they want to forge closer bonds to distance themselves from the United States and the political direction it seems to be going.

“I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival – only with better manners,” Carney said in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday. “We do not seek power to dominate others. On the contrary, we are pursuing resilience so that no one can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity, or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law.”

United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada and make it the “51st state”. He has also called for Greenland to be taken away from Denmark and made a part of the US. But this week, he said he was happy with an agreement that he claimed would give Washington “permanent control” over the island, which largely enjoys self-rule but is still a part of Denmark. Both Greenland and Denmark said after the agreement was announced that any deal with the US would not compromise Greenland’s sovereignty.

Trump has called Ottawa’s attempt to move closer to the EU “laughable” and said he would have to study exactly what membership would mean. If it did not satisfy him, Trump said it could be seen as a “hostile act”.

“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs,” Trump said. He also suggested that the US could stop trading with Europe “on many things”.

Canada and the US have been locked in a trade war after failing to reach an agreement. The Trump administration imposed up to 50 percent tariffs on nearly $20bn worth of Canadian products, including machinery, textiles and even hockey sticks. Canada imposed retaliatory measures and the impasse continues.

LIVE German 2025 Election