Morning coverage focused on Elon Musk's virtual appearance at AfD's campaign event, where his references to Germanic tribes generated controversy. By midday, Merz executed a strategic reversal on AfD cooperation, presenting a migration policy proposal explicitly rebuilding the "firewall."
Christian Drosten's shift regarding COVID-19's origins and renewed examination of pandemic-era decisions occupied parallel coverage. The Aschaffenburg attack's aftermath continued influencing political discourse, while demonstrations against right-wing extremism maintained momentum.
Evening coverage revealed NATO investigations of damaged Baltic Sea cables, with a suspicious vessel reported near the incident. The Green Party conference demonstrated unusual unity in opposition to Merz's migration proposals, while reports emerged of both Merz and Scholz falling from Trump's favor. Coverage concluded with examination of AfD campaign financing traced to Jena sources.