Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
Five people were injured, including two critically, after a man drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Oléron this morning (11:50, 14:44, 15:23).
The suspect, a 35-year-old French national who lived locally, refused to speak with investigators as they try to understand his motive amid concerns about mental health or radicalisation (12:09, 12:23, 13:59).
A parliamentary assistant to a member of French parliament from the far-right National Rally party is among the seriously injured, the party’s parliamentary spokesperson said (13:07, 14:23).
In other news,
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has insisted that “the US force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years,” as he faced questions over partial US withdrawal from Romania (16:02)
Former senior minister Wouter Koolmees of the centrist D66 party has been picked as “the scout” to lead early exploratory talks on forming the next Dutch government, with early disagreements between the parties tipped to form the next administration (11:10, 16:28)
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul warned that the destruction of Syria was “worse” than “Germany in 1945,” as the co-ruling Christian Democrats party continued to grapple with questions about the future of one million Syrians living in the country.
The European Commission sketched out a world where trains could reach speeds well above 250km per hour, as it revealed plans to dramatically cut journey times between major cities (16:47)
France started proceedings on Wednesday to suspend online fast-fashion retailer Shein until it complies with French laws after the discovery of childlike sex dolls on its website (16:15).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at [email protected].
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Syrian destruction 'worse than Germany in 1945,' German foreign minister tells lawmakers
in Berlin
A deep rift within Germany’s conservative co-ruling Christian Democrats (CDU) about the future of the around one million Syrians living in the country has taken on new fervour since the foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, was quoted with an emotionally charged comparison.
Wadephul told MPs the destruction he witnessed on a trip to Syria last week was “worse” than “Germany in 1945”. The remarks, first reported by the mass-selling daily Bild, came during a heated meeting of the CDU parliamentary group.
Wadephul had previously antagonised some hardline MPs with comments doubting whether there could be mass-scale returns to Syria given the “apocalyptic” landscape left behind by the civil war in some areas.
Conservatives accused the minister of undermining the government of chancellor Friedrich Merz, which has sought to project a tough line on migration to beat back the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland, which is leading in some national polls.
This week the chancellor pulled rank on the question of Syrians, stating: “There are now no longer any grounds for asylum in Germany, and therefore we can also begin with repatriations,” he said. Those who refused to return could face deportation “in the near future”.
Wadephul has insisted he and Merz are on the same page. But behind closed doors, he evidently felt a need to share the shock and empathy he experienced on his Syria trip with his fellow Christian Democrats.
After the meeting, several of the MPs revealed Wadephul’s remarks referencing the aftermath of the second world war and the fall of the Nazi regime with Bild, some of them expressing surprise about the drastic comparison.
Bild said Wadephul seemed to be pushing back against conservatives who had argued that just as Germans rebuilt their country after the war, albeit with massive foreign assistance, so too must Syrians return to do their bit.
Wadephul stressed, according to the accounts, he supported the deportation of convicted criminals, which has already begun, as well as those who rely on state benefits.
Merz, who took part in the meeting, reportedly praised Wadephul for his “high standing” in the region but reiterated that the end of the civil war meant Syrians no longer had grounds for seeking asylum in Germany.
Wadephul has received some support from leading Social Democrats, junior partners in the ruling coalition.
But the AfD saw a chance to pile on, with co-leader Alice Weidel on X calling for the minister’s resignation: “A disrespectful foreign minister who tramples on the hard work and sacrifice of the postwar generations who rebuilt this country. Wadephul is completely unsuitable for his position in the foreign office.”
Analysts said the episode has compounded a sense of drift and division within the government, one year after the previous centre-left-led coalition collapsed in rancour, paving the way to the snap election in February that brought Merz to power.
