TOP NEWS

New elections in Germany
Voters sulk in the cold: “Functional underwear”

Significant parts of Germany are under a blanket of snow and the last time the country held a winter election, voter turnout was the lowest in decades, writes Politico.

That election campaigning in the cold is “not fun,” SPD Health Minister Karl Lauterbach tells the DPA news agency.

“I have bought a thick and long winter coat and functional underwear,” says Lauterbach.

The last seven elections have been held in September. What is underestimated is that voters may be less receptive now than during a regular election campaign because they are in a better mood in the summer, a senior CDU politician tells Politico.

“January and February are the worst months when it comes to mood,” says the politician.

The recent icy cold seems to be easing, however, and in many places a temperature rise of ten degrees is expected by election day on Sunday.

NATO's future
Rutte: Will require significantly more than 3 percent

NATO member countries will have to spend "significantly more than 3 percent of GDP" on their own defense. This is what the defense alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte says, according to Reuters.

According to NATO's current rules, each member country must spend at least 2 percent of GDP on its own defense. US President Donald Trump has long been harshly critical of that figure, saying that member countries rely on the US's high defense budget for protection.

Most indications are that the level will be raised during this summer's summit in The Hague. With the government's upcoming investments, the Swedish defense budget will end up at 2.6 percent of GDP.

Trump's first term
Controversial Kash Patel becomes new director of the FBI

The US Senate has approved Kash Patel as the new director of the FBI, American media reports.

Like many of Trump's other nominations for top positions, Kash Patel is a controversial choice. He won the position by the narrowest possible margin, 51–49.

Trump loyalist Patel has long been a sharp critic of the FBI and the political establishment in Washington. Critical Democrats have warned in advance that Patel will use his power to persecute Trump's political opponents.