After Tuesday's break over the Left's admission of Vanessa Emde, SPD and Greens kept explorations frozen pending clarification on antisemitism, with outlets reconstructing conflicting commitments and describing a trust crisis. Greens signaled conditional openness while SPD demanded explanations, as commentators called the pause strategic failure. Chancellor Merz's call to abandon red-green-red drew Left accusations of Chancellery pressure. By evening Tagesspiegel and Sueddeutsche reported agreement to resume sondierungen, with Bild confirming Greens and SPD would continue with the Left despite Ramelow's warning over minimizing October 7.
Merz used a government statement ahead of the EU summit to demand EU savings and less bureaucracy, while honoring Bärbel Bas and attacking AfD and Left. The cabinet approved a sugar tax on sweet drinks from mid-2027.
Coverage also noted René Benko's move to house arrest with ankle monitor and a manhunt after a prisoner escaped during a doctor's visit in Essen.