Two-Party System Returned to Germany, Yet Far Right Influence Strengthens in Europe
Businessman and former corporate lawyer Friedrich Merz will become the next chancellor of Germany, returning the country to a two-party system of government. Sunday’s election reflected the biggest German voter turnout in 40 years; four in every five voters cast their ballots in a country of 59.2 million eligible voters. Merz’s top policy priorities are increasing foreign security, cracking down on migration, and boosting the economy.
While the moderate conservative Christian Democrat Union won the election, Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany, doubled their vote from the last election, the strongest support for a far-right party since World War II. U.S. President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have publicly supported AfD. The party has used Nazi slogans, been dismissive of the Holocaust, and is rumored to have plotted to overthrow the government. The success of AfD’s anti-immigration platform was largely attributed to increased xenophobia in Germany resulting from recent attacks committed by migrants and economic stagnation. Incoming chancellor Merz plans to exclude AfD from German politics because of its extremist views, warning against increasing support for the far right in Europe, and plans to form a new government with the Social Democratic party by Easter.
Hundreds of U.S. Migrants Deported by Trump Administration Trapped in Panama Hotel
Last week, about 300 migrants living in the U.S. were deported by President Trump and forcibly held in the Decapolis Hotel in Panama City. Barred from leaving or meeting with lawyers for days, the migrants were prevented from exiting by armed guards, which violates Panama law against detainment for over 24 hours without a court order. Many of the migrants had arrived in the U.S. from Asia, including Afghanistan, China, and other places, many seeking religious refuge. Over half agreed to be deported back to their countries of origin, but those not in agreement have been taken to a remote detention camp at the edge of the jungle, Darién Gap in Panama, where they await deportation or relocation.
Myanmar: Exiled Journalists in Crisis After USAID Suspension
To advance his goal of shrinking the federal workforce and cutting costs, President Trump has frozen hundreds of USAID programs across the world, affecting humanitarian aid programs and independent journalism in 60 countries. In Southeast Asia, exiled reporters were hit hard by the budget cuts. ThanLwinKhet News, an online news outlet run by exiled journalist from Myanmar Su Myat, relied entirely on a USAID-based budget. After the cuts, Su has resorted to using her own funds to pay for her team based in Mae Sot, Thailand. ThanLwinKhet News has continued reporting on the military junta’s violence in Myanmar despite the newspaper’s funding loss.
Israel Deploys Tanks in West Bank
On Jan. 15, Israel signed a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, effective Jan. 19. Recently, Israel has ramped up their military offense through raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank. Israel deployed tanks to the refugee camp Jenin for the first time in 20 years on Sunday, destroying infrastructure, arresting hundreds, killing dozens, and displacing tens of thousands of residents. The defense minister of Israel, Israel Katz, plans to keep troops in Palestinian refugee camps for at least a year to prevent the return of displaced residents. Israel called the recent Hamas ceremonial release of Israelis “humiliating,” and Hamas called the prisoner release delay a ceasefire violation, rejecting Israel’s accusation. The ceasefire is set to expire March 2.
Trump Foreign Policy Shift Reflected at Russia Invasion Anniversary Summit
On Monday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted European leaders in Ukraine at a summit anniversary of the country’s three years of resistance against Russian aggression. U.S. officials were notably not present at the event, illustrating Trump’s shift towards Russia in a foreign policy 360. European leaders announced new economic and military support for Ukraine and new sanctions against Moscow, while the region battles with the reality of facing Russia without U.S. support. Ukrainians stay hopeful for independence, and Zelenskyy has stated that he hopes the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine, so as not to lose unity between Europe and the U.S.
