Merz's friend in Paris + a sharp interior minister

Expectations of the new federal government are high – both at home and among its European partners. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (69, CDU) immediately felt this on his first trip abroad to Paris and Warsaw and returned with some homework to do.

With these five topics from Germany and the world, you are well informed for your Thursday.

This is what happened: Friedrich Merz (69), as the new German Chancellor, visited France and Poland. It is part of German tradition to travel to these two neighboring countries first. French President Emmanuel Macron (47) warmly welcomed the CDU leader, while Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk (68) was more distant.

This is why it's important: The announced tightening of German migration policy and border controls is putting Tusk under pressure domestically. And there has been little life in Franco-German relations recently: Traffic Light Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, 66) and Macron have failed to find a close connection. "Now it's up to us!" Macron wrote in his congratulatory post to Merz on the X platform.

Here's what's next: Germany and France have, among other things, agreed on a joint Security Council – cooperation in defense policy is to be deepened. Germany must engage in more intensive discussions with Poland about plans to combat irregular migration.

How the “French-German reflex” should be revived

This is what happened: The new Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU, 54), is strengthening border controls to reduce "illegal migration" to Germany. The Federal Police have already deployed significantly more police officers to the borders.

That's why it's important: Dobrindt is thus implementing a key election promise of the CDU/CSU: the "de facto closure of borders to illegal migration." In the future, even an asylum application will no longer protect against rejection.

The situation continues: Border towns are complaining about long traffic jams caused by the controls. German and Polish mayors are appealing to Dobrindt not to bring traffic to a standstill. More targeted controls – and undercover surveillance at the green border – could be a solution.

What the tightened controls mean

This is what happened: 133 cardinals have been meeting in the Sistine Chapel since yesterday evening to elect the new pope. White smoke may already be rising today – a sign that a candidate has achieved the necessary two-thirds majority. On Wednesday, the first round of voting was unsuccessful.

That's why it's important: It will be exciting to see whether the new head of the church will pursue a reformist course like Francis (✝88) – or whether someone with a more conservative profile will prevail. Experts estimate that the choice will likely fall on a cardinal who can mediate between the different camps.

Here's what happens next: Shortly after the new Bishop of Rome is elected in the conclave, he will step onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and give the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. Many believers around the world will then be watching in front of their televisions: In total, more than 1.4 billion people profess their faith in the Catholic Church.

Everything about the papal election in the RND live ticker

What it's about: 80 years after the end of World War II, the last Holocaust survivors in Odessa are forced to endure another war. This time, it's the Russians who are attacking the southern Ukrainian city. Once again, innocent people are being forced to die, says a contemporary witness from that time.

That's why it's important: Jews like Volodymyr Bardashevskyi (87) criticize the insufficient European aid for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressors. They are pinning their hopes on the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz (69, CDU) – and on more support from Germany.

And so it continues: Even the Holocaust survivors in Odessa don't expect an imminent end to the war—as much as they would like it to. No one believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin (72) truly wants peace.

What Odessa's Holocaust survivors hope for from Germany

This is what it’s about: Heat pumps are considered a key technology for the energy and heat transition.

Why it's important: Many people are hesitant about heat pumps – for example, because they fear that their heating capacity isn't sufficient for an entire building. Installation is currently heavily subsidized with public funds.

Here's what's next: Although the new federal government wants to abolish the Heating Act, heat pumps could still have a future: It's quite possible that the current subsidy of up to 70 percent for these devices will remain in place.

Heat pump self-test: Positive results – with minor drawbacks

We wish you a heartwarming Thursday.

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