The Latest Breaking News from SPD

Germany's domestic intelligence service on Friday designated the far-right AfD party as an extremist group, handing authorities greater powers to monitor it and fuelling calls for it to be banned.

The incoming German government of Friedrich Merz said it will tighten and expand border controls in an effort to combat irregular immigration.

Germany's incoming finance minister Lars Klingbeil is a self-styled political "bridge-builder" whose calm and personable demeanour belies his sharp political instincts.

Germany's coalition government has cleared its final hurdle to power after the Social Democrats (SPD) voted in favour of the agreement.

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Chancellor-designate vows to tackle Russian aggression and appoints Johann Wadephul, an ex-soldier, to key role

First individual ministry for digital affairs in Germany.

Seven ministries will go to the CDU, seven to the SPD and three to the CSU. It is now clear who the CDU and CSU want to send to the cabinet as ministers.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has topped a national poll for the first time, prompting the popular Bild newspaper to carry the headline: “AfD breaks the magic barrier”. The poll put the AfD on 26% and the Christian democratic CDU/CSU on 25%.

While Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is already plagued by criticism and sinking poll numbers at home, his EU partners are eagerly awaiting him on the Brussels scene. They expect him to replace the dullness of his predecessor with strong leadership - and Merz is willing to deliver.

European allies cheered the CDU leader's announcement, while a key would-be coalition partner appeared to try to argue against the suggestion.