Politics · September 2026

On September 1, 2026, Germany accused Russia of involvement in a drone incident at Leipzig Airport, leading to the closure of Russian consulates in Germany and the summoning of Russia's ambassador. The EU condemned what it called an 'attempted drone attack,' while Moscow rejected the claims as 'fabricated' and President Vladimir Putin called Germany's actions a 'gross mistake.' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out a coalition with the Left Party in Saxony-Anhalt after the AfD's strong showing in the state election, though he left conditions open for potential cooperation. A dispute over Russia's participation at the G20 continued to strain relations between the US, Germany, and Europe, with US press bans and invitations irking Berlin and Brussels. An AfD mayoral candidate failed to overturn their exclusion from an election, while economists and craft sector representatives warned of the party's potential effects on skilled workers and compulsory schooling. Hamburg announced plans to ban smart glasses in pools and trains, citing privacy concerns.