German defence spending draws criticism as political pressures mount

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius faces renewed criticism over national military spending priorities. Moritz Schularick, head of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), warned that budget allocations projected through 2030 disproportionately fund conventional hardware, including tanks and frigates, rather than modern weapon technologies.

Meanwhile, a recent Deutschlandtrend survey indicates the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has widened its lead over the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, alongside growing public support for case-by-case legislative cooperation. Domestically, the governing Social Democratic Party is managing internal party dissatisfaction. Authorities are also monitoring gang activity in Berlin, while the agricultural sector copes with severe feed shortages caused by prolonged dry weather.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau