Just a small victory against the AfD
Are we seeing in the Saale-Orla district that the mass demonstrations against right-wing extremism are having an impact? There, in rural southeast Thuringia, the AfD missed out on its second nationwide district administrator position on Sunday. In the runoff election, CDU man Christian Herrgott won against AfD candidate Uwe Thrum. In the first round of voting, Thrum was clearly ahead of God.
However, it cannot be said that many people have come to their senses in the face of the pressure from the street and are suddenly turning away from the AfD. The result is close. Thrum got 47.6 percent, a man who loyally stands at the side of his party and parliamentary group leader Björn Höcke in the Thuringian state parliament and who was already in a familiar chat with the imprisoned "Reich citizen" and would-be subversive Heinrich XIII. Prince Reuss could be seen. In absolute numbers, he got 1,753 more votes two weeks ago.
The protests even mobilized AfD supporters - but also their opponents. Participation increased to more than 68.6 percent compared to the first round, unusual for a municipal vote. Many Democrats, even those who do not normally sympathize with the CDU, may have supported the Christian Democrat Herrgott just to prevent Thrum.
That's good, but it's only a small victory for the moment and certainly not a signal of a turnaround that the Thuringian SPD is already dreaming of. The Saale-Orla district shows how much strength and political overcoming the fight against the AfD requires. This year there are state elections in three eastern German states, and the AfD is in the lead in all three. There is no runoff election here, only the chance to laboriously build a coalition against possible right-wing radical election winners.
This Monday, people want to take to the streets again in many towns and cities. But the demonstrations are just a beginning, a wake-up call. Now the democratic work of persuasion begins; the government, parties, associations and clubs are in demand. Today, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has invited business leaders, trade unionists and association heads to a democracy summit at Bellevue Palace.
Read the SPIEGEL editorial of the day on the topic: Protest of the good citizens - the popular uprising for democracy is having an effect
Between hope and fear
Signals of hope first come from the Middle East - shortly afterwards, fears of further escalation grew again. The fear of wildfire.
Apparently there is progress in the Paris negotiations on a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. With the mediation of the USA, Qatar and Egypt, representatives of Israel and Hamas are discussing the conditions for a ceasefire lasting several weeks and the release of the hostages still held by the terrorists. Talk continues today and an agreement this week seems possible.
On another front, however, the situation is getting worse. Drones suspected of belonging to pro-Iranian militias from Syria hit a US base in Jordan. For the first time since the Gaza War began, American soldiers were killed by enemy fire in the region.
This will not go unanswered. President Joe Biden has announced retaliation. An understandable reaction. It will not prevent the next attack on US troops.
Future of Palestinian leadership: Does the two-state solution have a chance – especially now?
Weselsky's emergency braking
You shouldn't assume that everything will be running smoothly again this morning. Nevertheless, rail travelers can be happy: the strike was over a few hours ago, earlier than planned. The GDL also promises: The train drivers will not be called out for any further strikes in the next five weeks.
So time for new negotiations in the deadlocked collective bargaining dispute between the union and the railway. But what motivated the otherwise adamant Claus Weselsky to pull the emergency brake? So far nothing is known about a new content offering from the railway. It may be dawning on the union boss that his desire to strike is being met with less and less understanding by the majority of rail customers.
Weselsky would never admit that. In the end, the only thing that matters is that Bahn and GDL finally look for a solution again. Hopefully seriously.
Transport Minister on negotiations: Wissing calls for serious talks between the railways and the union
Click here for the current daily quiz
Today's starting question: How many judges sit on the US Supreme Court?
Loser of the day...
...are Ursula von der Leyen and the EU Commission. The Commission President wanted to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust with a social media post at the weekend, but failed to make it clear that the Auschwitz extermination camp was built by the Nazis under German occupation. After the intervention of the Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, improvements were finally made.
Misstep on social media: Poland complains about von der Leyen's false Auschwitz posting
The latest reports from the night
KaDeWe is apparently filing for bankruptcy:
According to media reports, the famous Kaufhaus des Westens in Berlin has filed for bankruptcy. The Alsterhaus in Hamburg and the Oberpollinger in Munich are also affected.
Runoff election in Finland between Conservative Stubb and Green Haavisto:
No clear results in the election in Finland: The conservative former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb received the most votes. To make a final decision, voters have to go to the ballot box again.
Haley wants to continue to annoy Trump - even if she loses in South Carolina:
She is the last competition for Donald Trump in the fight for the Republican nomination - and the next primary is a home game for Nikki Haley. When it comes to South Carolina, she is defiant.
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Dare to be more disciplined:
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Have a good new week.
Heartfelt,
Yours, Philipp Wittrock, head of duty in Los Angeles