Morning coverage focused on Trump's emerging shadow cabinet, with Musk's nomination generating extensive discussion across German media. By midday, attention shifted to Scholz's government declaration, where his attempt to project statesmanship met with parliamentary derision, particularly during budget references.
The afternoon brought sharp exchanges, with Merz accusing Scholz of "dividing the country" while simultaneously distancing himself from AfD interruptions. Lindner, speaking from his new opposition position, described his dismissal as "liberation" and aligned with CDU critiques. Söder's Bundestag debut featured attacks on both the AfD and his former coalition partners.
Evening reports revealed that 32,000 demonstrated in NRW against social cuts, exceeding organizers' expectations. Trump's nomination of Fox News host Hegseth for Defense Secretary generated concern in Berlin, while Russian warnings about undersea cable vulnerabilities emerged as a new security theme.