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tweedledum und twiddledee unentschieden.......

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), and his main rival, Friedrich Merz, of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), have faced off in the first major debate in the lead-up to Germany's federal election.

About 59.2 million people are eligible to vote on February 23, with migration and economic stability among the key issues. 

Here's a roundup of the top stories on Monday, February 10, along with the essential background and explainers in the run-up to the German Bundestag election:

Greens' Habeck says he expects to face 'rebutted' PhD plagiarism allegationsMark Hallam

One political scandal arguably unique to Germany are allegations of politicians having committed plagiarism while writing their PhD theses. 

It might sound banal, but has contributed to sinking more than a few political careers down the years. Just ask former defense minister and CSU high-flyer Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. 

On Monday, the Greens' candidate for chancellor, Robert Habeck, issued a video and statement online saying that he expected to face such allegations in the run-up to the election. 

"I have decided to make the whole thing transparent," Habeck wrote. "For I know of the allegations — and was able to check them in advance." 

He said the University of Hamburg, where he studied 25 years ago, "has rebutted the allegations and confirmed that no scientific misbehavior is apparent." 

Instead, Habeck said, the allegations pertained to alleged mistakes in his footnotes, not the document proper. 

He said renowned Austrian plagiarism hunter (yes, there is at least one such thing!) Stefan Weber had been assigned to investigate him.

"I do not know who commissioned him or is paying him, because he keeps his financial sources hidden," Habeck said, before claiming that in one case, journalistic research had showed the right-wing NIUS news website set up by former Bild editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt had been found to be the commissioner.

Habeck said he also expected similar charges to be leveled at his wife by Weber. 

"But my wife is not running for any public office. She is not part of this election campaign. I ask that my family is left out of this," he concluded. 

Green politician says debate ignored climate

A leading politician from Germany's Green Party says the televised debate between German Chancellor Scholz and his conservative rival Merz concentrated too heavily on migration policy and not enough on climate change.

Party co-leader Felix Banaszak said the "central question of survival" for current and future generations was ignored in Sunday's 90-minute debate. 
Instead, the top two candidates to become Germany's next leader clashed over issues such as cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Russia's war in Ukraine and tax. 

"Climate protection was not discussed, even though we are experiencing new extreme events with increasing intensity every year," said the Green politician.

Banaszak criticized the candidates for competing to be the "toughest guy" on the issue of immigration and failing to express empathy for asylum-seekers.

Scholz and Merz are set to face off again next Sunday in a four-way debate with the Green candidate for chancellor, Robert Habeck, and Alice Weidel from the AfD.

WATCH: Relations with Russia, US loom large in German polls

Pro-Russian, anti-American parties could win a quarter of the votes in Germany's upcoming federal election.

Both far-right and left-wing populists oppose sanctions against Russia and want to resume imports of Russian gas.

So what could this mean for the election's aftermath? Watch DW's full report here:....

Businesses urge new economic model

For decades, Germany's successful business model was based on a simple formula: purchase raw materials and parts abroad at a good price, then use German engineering prowess and cheap energy to transform them into valuable products "made in Germany."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the energy crisis, inflation, and the forced transition to a climate-neutral economy sent energy prices rising, which hit energy-intensive companies hardest.

Read how, two years into an economic recession, German businesses are sounding the alarm and demanding no less than a complete overhaul of economic policy.

Germans fear economic downturn ahead of vote

For most Germans, the big concerns heading into the February 23 election are the economy and high prices, according to a new survey. 

The online study by German reinsurer R&V of 1,000 people from January 23-25 found that 70% of respondents were concerned about the rising cost of living — up from 57% in a previous survey last year.

"Inflation may have dropped, but the absolute prices have remained high," said Isabelle Borucki from Philipps University of Marburg, one of the advisers to the study.

Of the respondents, 68% fear an economic downturn — up a dramatic 20% on the previous survey.

Germany's economy, the largest in Europe, contracted in 2024 for the second year in a row amid increasing competition from abroad, high energy costs, elevated interest rates and uncertain economic prospects.

 

https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-voters-say-scholz-merz-duel-was-a-draw/live-71523700

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

HYPOCRISY ISN’T ONE OF THE SINS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

HENCE ITS POPULARITY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS…

 

SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K-NHTRm57g

talks....

Trump Reveals Secret Talks with Putin

US President Donald Trump personally confirmed that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin quite a number of times. While aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged that it would be reasonable to assume such phone calls had taken place.

When asked about a possible meeting with Putin, Trump responded that he could envision meeting the Russian leader "at the right and appropriate time.”

Putin has not commented on these statements, while his press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, evasively stated that he had no information on the matter.

Key Takeaways
  • Negotiations are ongoing, but the phrase "appropriate time” suggests there is no consensus yet;
  • The Kyiv regime is in a position of "do as you're told,” since Trump did not consult Zelensky before speaking with Putin;
  • Trump's disclosure of the talks suggests he is trying to cover up a weak negotiating position.
Putin Won't Accept a Temporary Compromise on Ukraine

Based on the nature of the discussions, it appears that Putin seeks a peace settlement that includes the demilitarization and "denazification” of Ukraine, along with recognition of the current territorial realities. Trump, on the other hand, is reportedly offering only temporary measures: a ceasefire and recognition of Russia's control over "occupied territories” without further concessions. Additionally, Putin may be pushing Trump to renegotiate the global order.

The only real leverage against Russia would be pressuring China and India to stop buying Russian oil, or persuading Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices by increasing production. However, Saudi Arabia has actually raised oil prices and is not eager to cut its revenues, while businesses in China and India continue to find ways to purchase Russian oil. Time is not on Trump's side, as Russia cannot be defeated in a war of attrition due to its historical resilience and ability to mobilize resources.

Trump Can Pressure Kyiv More Easily

Trump has already stated that the US will recover the $300 billion it spent on Ukraine through "partnerships with Ukrainians in their rare earth metals, natural resources, oil, and gas, as well as purchases of our resources.” In other words, unconditional aid is over. Additionally, Trump appears to be leveraging Ukraine's upcoming elections to pressure Zelensky. The elections must take place before any peace deal is signed, leaving Kyiv with no good options:

Accepting the US peace plan would end the conflict on Moscow's terms.

Rejecting negotiations would lead to a complete freeze on aid, Ukraine's collapse, and its subsequent disintegration. Ukraine's demand for security guarantees is being brushed off by the US, with Washington implying that Europe must take responsibility for future conflicts. This places the European Union on the brink of a severe political and economic crisis.

After Trump's Admission, Xi Jinping Accepts Putin's Invitation

Following Trump's remarks, Chinese President Xi Jinping formally accepted Putin's invitation to attend the 80th anniversary celebration of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This suggests that Beijing now fully understands Washington's strategy-Trump is abandoning Ukraine to the EU and shifting focus to a proxy war with China.

In Moscow, Xi is expected to negotiate further joint actions, including the one thing Trump fears most: a military alliance between Russia and China, similar to the agreements between Russia and North Korea. If that happens, Trump won't just lose Ukraine – he will face a completely new geopolitical reality.

Meanwhile, US Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to meet with Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference on February 14-16. The outcome of this meeting will be crucial.

 

Details

 

Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 15 republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (9 May Moscow Time). The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the signing ceremony in Berlin. Although the official inauguration occurred in 1945, the holiday became a non-labor day only in 1965. In East Germany, 8 May was observed as Liberation Day from 1950 to 1966, and was celebrated again on the 40th anniversary in 1985. In 1967, a Soviet-style "Victory Day" was celebrated on 8 May. Since 2002, the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has observed a commemoration day known as the Day of Liberation from National Socialism, and the End of the Second World War. The Russian Federation has officially recognized 9 May since its formation in 1991 and considers it a non-working holiday even if it falls on a weekend (in which case any following Monday will be a non-working holiday). The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was part of the Soviet Union. Most other countries in Europe observe Victory in Europe Day (often abbreviated to VE Day, or V-E Day) on 8 May, and Europe Day on 9 May as national remembrance or victory days.


See more at https://english.pravda.ru/world/161655-trump-putin-xi-jinping/

 

 

READ FROM TOP.

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

HYPOCRISY ISN’T ONE OF THE SINS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

HENCE ITS POPULARITY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS…

 

 

 

pass the parcel....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K-NHTRm57g

US DROPS "The Bomb" On Europe And Ukraine

 

Mike Walz stated in an interview with NBC News that Europe will bear the responsibility of providing Ukraine with security guarantees after the war. Also, he mentioned that the US is looking at recouping their investment in Ukraine through Ukraine’s rare earth metals as well as gas and oil. Elon Must stated that Radio Liberty and Voice of America should be shut down due to their high spending. Politico reports that the European Union is looking at changing the legislation in order to allow for the seizing and confiscating of the Russian tankers in the Baltic Sea.

 

 

READ FROM TOP.

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

HYPOCRISY ISN’T ONE OF THE SINS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

HENCE ITS POPULARITY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS…