The morning began with reports of Trump's executive order mandating federal cooperation with Musk's DOGE system, while severe smog alerts disrupted daily life across Germany. By midday, Austrian coalition talks collapsed as FPÖ's Kickl failed to secure key ministries from ÖVP, marking a setback for Europe's right-wing alliance aspirations.
Chancellor Scholz faced criticism over allegedly calling Berlin's Cultural Senator Joe Chialo a "court jester," leading to racism accusations from CDU. The controversy escalated throughout the day, overshadowing economic debates about deindustrialization.
The evening brought news of Trump's call with Putin announcing "immediate" Ukraine negotiations, triggering concerns across European capitals. Meanwhile, German industry leaders issued warnings about gas prices and economic decline, while reports emerged of sabotage attempts on German warships.