1. The Premiere Premier
In France, what some in Germany dream of is becoming reality: the country is getting a new government. At least a new head of government. After the resignation of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, who had been in office for just under 20 months, President Emmanuel Macron presented his successor just one day later. Former Education Minister Gabriel Attal is now expected to lead the government and ensure that its image is improved in the year of the European elections. It is also expected that some cabinet posts will be reassigned.
In recent polls, Macron's party has been eight to ten percentage points behind the movement of far-right opposition leader Marine Le Pen. Since the last parliamentary election in 2022, his party Renaissance (formerly En Marche) has governed in a minority government and has had to come to terms with the opposition in every vote in order to organize majorities. Macron pushed through the recently controversial pension reform without a final vote in the chamber. On the new immigration law, the government made such far-reaching concessions to the conservative Républicains that MPs from its own ranks voted against it and threatened to break Macron's camp. In comparison, the German government seems to be a haven of stability – even if the opposition sometimes sits on the government benches.
At the age of 34, Attal becomes the youngest prime minister in recent French history. He is considered eloquent, popular and approachable. Even with competitors from other political camps, he discusses the matter harshly, but in a friendly and authoritative tone. He began his political career as a government spokesman. Attal will not only be the youngest head of government, but also the first openly homosexual head of government in his country. He has always openly admitted to this and has aggressively parried all political attacks in this direction. Unfortunately, he had to get used to being attacked because of his sexual orientation. "But in that respect I have bought a tank," he told Le Figaro months ago.
My colleague Britta Sandberg, SPIEGEL's France correspondent, says that with Attal, Macron has made the best possible choice as the new prime minister from the existing personnel tableau. Because he is not only young, but also fearless, a gifted communicator and, despite his age, an experienced political strategist. "As Minister of Education, he became the most popular member of the government in record time, despite the fact that he had the courage to make unpopular decisions." Macron has been looking for a person who represents a new beginning for his second term in office, which has so far largely stumbled. "At least that's what he managed to do with Attal," says Britta. Even if the business of government is likely to be no less difficult for him than for his unpopular predecessor.
Read the full story here: The new one
2. When Beckenbauer auditioned for WSV Tangstedt
It was an uncanny coincidence that the large portraits of Franz Beckenbauer on public television were broadcast on the very day his family announced his death. The interest was correspondingly high. Almost 4.5 million people watched "Beckenbauer - Triumphs, Affairs and Scandals" on ZDF on Monday, giving it a market share of 16.8 percent. Another four million watched "Beckenbauer" on ARD from 20:30 p.m., resulting in a market share of 14.5 percent.
Enlarge image
World star Beckenbauer on his arrival at Hamburg Airport in October 1980
Photograph:
Wilfried Witters / WITTERS
We had a lively discussion about Beckenbauer's role for Germany in our conference this morning. Was he a shining light to whom luck always flown? A figure of identity for the country? Or is it a man of yesteryear, with whom especially younger people can no longer do so much? FC Bayern Munich has long since answered this question for itself. The association immediately began the initial planning for the funeral service. Former club boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in the Bild newspaper that Beckenbauer should be given "a funeral service in the stadium as a thank you and in remembrance, which would never have happened without him." A statue next to that of Gerd Müller in front of the arena is being discussed, and even a rededication to the "Franz Beckenbauer Arena" is being considered – the young Franz was once an apprentice at the eponymous Alliance.
Hamburg would also have to think about a pompous event. That's where Beckenbauer ended his career as a club footballer. My colleague Malte Müller-Michaelis has written a ravishing text about Beckenbauer's return to Germany from Cosmos New York. In 1980, Malte's father was an employee of the oil company BP, whose image was rather tarnished. Later, he became head of economic and energy policy as well as public relations. He agreed on a sponsorship deal with HSV. Later, he accepted a suggestion from HSV manager Günter Netzer to use BP money to sign a new star: Franz Beckenbauer. At first, the oil company was against it. You can't throw millions more after a millionaire, the boss said.
He was changed in his mind. BP made Beckenbauer the face of the "Youth and Sport" campaign. With a team of youth coaches, supervisors and physiotherapists, he went to small sports clubs in the Hamburg area. That's how we came to play in our hometown at WSV Tangstedt. "They still talk about it today," says Malte's father. "Those who are old enough to remember it."
Read the full story here: How my father brought the "Kaiser" from New York to Hamburg
3. Farmer's wife calls for a "clear edge" against the right
With tractor rides and other protests, farmers in several regions of Germany also mobilized on Tuesday against the dismantling of tax breaks for agricultural diesel. On the second day of a nationwide week of action, convoys of agricultural vehicles sometimes caused traffic disruptions. Today, Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) was also expected to speak at a rally in Ellwangen, Baden-Württemberg. Despite the protests that started on Monday, the German government is sticking to its already watered-down plans for subsidy cuts.
Enlarge image
Activist Baumgart
Photo: Private
In the run-up to his appearance, Özdemir thanked the farmers' association and other organizations for clearly rejecting attempts from the right to infiltrate the protests. "The majority of German farmers have nothing to do with this, but represent their concerns by democratic means." Özdemir rejected the CDU/CSU's criticism of the traffic light coalition. In the past 40 years, the agriculture ministers have been provided by the CDU and CSU in 31 years.
Inka Baumgart has played a special role in the fight against the right among the farmers. The 22-year-old is committed to sustainable, future-proof and regionally adapted agriculture and reasonable prices for agricultural products at the young Working Group on Rural Agriculture (jAbL). On the occasion of the farmers' week of action, the jAbL has distributed a video in which the members speak out in favor of the protest, but against "right-wing agitation". We stand behind the protests, but at the moment we have to watch as our plight is partly exploited by the extreme right," she says in an interview with my colleague Philip Bethge. We appeal to all farmers to take a clear stand against the right and at the same time to resume political dialogue, the substantive discussion."
Tomorrow the farmers will demonstrate again in Dresden. Around 12 o'clock, up to 10,000 participants could gather on the Theaterplatz. People from the right-wing extremist party "Die Heimat", formerly the NPD, have mobilized at the same time. It will be interesting to see whether Baumgart's appeals are heard and implemented in Dresden.
Read the full story here: "Disappointment has turned to anger"
News and background on the war in the Middle East:
"Israel has fallen into the trap": Professor Audrey Kurth Cronin has researched what needs to happen for terrorist organizations to perish. Here she talks about Israel's strategy in the fight against Hamas – and says what could really help.
The Last Jew of Harbin: Since the beginning of the war in the Middle East, anti-Semitism on the Chinese Internet has skyrocketed. Censorship allows the agitators to get away with it, even though China once emphasized its goodwill towards Jews. What happened?
According to the report, North Korea supplies Hamas with weapons – apparently again dead in air strike in southern Lebanon: South Korea's intelligence service believes that North Korean weapons are being used by Hamas, according to a report. Hezbollah launches a drone attack – and has apparently been hit again in Lebanon.
What else is important today
Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof files for insolvency: Germany's last major department store group is once again insolvent. For the third time in just a few years, Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof is applying for such proceedings. It is unclear what will happen to the more than 15,000 employees.
United Airlines Finds Loose Screws on Problem Part During Boeing Inspection: The U.S. aviation regulator has ordered an inspection of aircraft of the model series after the emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737. The airline United came across alleged deficiencies in the process.
Gondola crashes – four seriously injured: Apparently, a tree has fallen on the rope of the gondola: In Austria, a gondola has crashed, four people were seriously injured.
Lauterbach announces end of fee caps for family doctors: The federal government wants to make a good deal of concessions to doctors. Of the measures announced by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, one is likely to meet with a particular response.
What we recommend today at SPIEGEL+
Plummeting prices for solar panels – why don't homeowners benefit from it? Wholesale prices for solar modules have fallen enormously recently. Homeowners are not aware of this at all. Why this is the case – and what it means for returns.
Why statutory health insurance doctors are not allowed to strike: Health Minister Karl Lauterbach meets with disgruntled statutory health insurance doctors. According to SPIEGEL information, he will make concessions. Nevertheless, further protest is likely – but it has its limits.
"Plastic surgeons refer to Kim Kardashian as 'Patient Zero'": The author Moshtari Hilal has explored the question of when we find other people ugly. Here she talks about exclusion, the importance of fair skin and the history of nose surgery.
What is less important today
On a smaller flame: TV chef Sarah Wiener, 61, has decided against running for re-election to the European Parliament. Since 2019, she has been a member of the European Parliament for the Austrian Greens. The fight against industrial food production and for local, sustainable agriculture are among her core issues. 2024 should be a new beginning for her and "the chance to break new ground," she said.
Mini Concave Mirror
Here you can find the whole concave mirror.
Cartoon of the Day
And tonight?
The day before yesterday, the Golden Globes were awarded in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the German actress Sandra Hüller came away empty-handed. All the more successful was »The Bear«, a restaurant series that won several awards: Best Comedy Series, Best Actor (Jeremy Allen White), Best Actress (Ayo Edebiri). You could watch the second season on Disney+, which my colleague Elisa von Hof writes is "even more terrific than the first" and that doesn't happen often. With »The Bear«, every episode of the sequel is »so brilliant that you don't forget it«.
Have a nice evening.
Heartily
Yours sincerely, Janko Tietz, Head of Germany/Panorama