The head of Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein state said Germany must both maintain a humane refugee policy and enforce stricter deportations for migrants who break the law, while also opening its doors to skilled labor.

Yazidis who sought refuge in Germany after surviving atrocities committed by the Islamic State (ISIS) fear they could be deported to Iraq as Berlin toughens its migration rules and anti-immigration measures grow in popularity across Europe.

A Kurdish lawyer based in Germany said on Wednesday that immigrants facing deportation should seek legal counsel to keep their asylum cases open, as Berlin intensifies its crackdown on illegal migration.

Member of the European Parliament Andreas Schieder on Saturday urged Turkey to embrace peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and called for stronger European Union engagement across Syria and the region.

European officials on Tuesday stressed that Syria’s future must be shaped through an inclusive, Syrian-led political process that safeguards minority rights and reflects the country’s diverse social fabric. They warned that failure to do so could trigger the reinstatement of European Union (EU) sanctions.

Germany's new government, in power for just over two months, is implementing a "radically changed" migration policy and a significant increase in defense spending. This was confirmed by Steffen Bilger, a prominent member of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany’s federal parliament, the Bundestag.

European leaders on Thursday reiterated calls to revive diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear program as a ceasefire holds between Israel and Iran.

European leaders on Sunday called for renewed nuclear talks between the United States and Iran after American strikes targeted Iranian nuclear sites, warning that further escalation could threaten global stability.

BREMEN, Germany - The interior minister of Germany’s Lower Saxony state on Thursday said she remains firmly opposed to the deportation of Yazidis, calling for a nationwide halt to returns in light of the genocide they suffered at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS) a decade ago.

A senior member of Germany’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) has called for tighter migration controls and welcomed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) recent announcement of its dissolution, citing potential benefits for his country’s security.

In a significant push, Germany is increasing its efforts to combat illegal immigration, resulting in the return of hundreds of individuals at its borders. Opposition parties have voiced human rights concerns regarding these measures.

Officials and business leaders from Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and France gathered in Paris on Monday for a major forum aimed at boosting trade and investment ties. The event comes as Baghdad and Erbil are pushing to expand international partnerships by presenting their regions as stable, attractive destinations for foreign companies.

The European Union has officially decided to lift its economic sanctions on Syria, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced Tuesday, marking a major shift in the union’s approach towards Damascus following months of deliberations.

Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmaker Alice Weidel on Tuesday called for sweeping economic and immigration reforms, including halving taxes, reviving nuclear energy, and mass deportations of migrants, while the Social Democrat Ralf Stegner emphasized the need for economic stability and strong governance.

German Green Party lawmaker Kassem Taher Saleh underscored the political influence of Kurdish representatives in parliament and highlighted Germany’s need for refugees to counter its aging population, while criticizing far-right calls for stricter immigration controls.

Germany’s legislature, the Bundestag, on Tuesday elected Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as the country’s next chancellor, following a second round of voting in which he secured a parliamentary majority.

In a significant move to honor the Kurdish Peshmerga's role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), the city of Paris will inaugurate a park to pay homage to the Kurdish forces before the next Kurdish New Year (Newroz), deputy to the mayor of Paris told Rudaw on Sunday.

French Senator Remi Feraud told Rudaw on Sunday that the relationship between France and the Kurdistan Region has flourished in recent years, highlighting the critical role that regular engagement between Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and French President Emmanuel Macron have played in strengthening this bond.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Paris on Sunday to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, amid major developments in the Middle East. The visit follows a series of high-level meetings with regional leaders, signaling an elevated role for the Kurdistan Region in regional diplomacy.

Workers at 13 airports across Germany began a 24-hour strike on Monday, almost bringing the country’s air traffic to a standstill.

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz is poised to become Germany’s next chancellor based on preliminary election results, but he remained cautious about the prospect as his party celebrated its victory on Sunday.

A member of Germany’s Green Party said on Saturday that protecting minorities is important to his party, especially the Kurds, and highlighted the need to develop ties with the Kurdistan Region and Kurds in northeast Syria (Rojava).

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani shared his insights on a range of key topics, including the United States president’s calls for peace, regional developments in Syria and the situation of its Kurdish community, the peace efforts between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as well as the formation of the upcoming Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The prime minister of the Netherlands said he had a “great” meeting with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Munich on Saturday, discussing regional elections as well as developments in Syria.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday held a meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference where they discussed further developing ties between their two governments.

A member of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) expressed strong support for Kurds after his party faced backlash for trying to pass an anti-immigration bill with support from the far-right.

A Kurdish lawmaker for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany representing Schleswig-Holstein state said on Monday that the party’s agenda includes only supporting the entry of “qualified” immigrants.

A member of Germany’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Saturday said it is “unconscionable” for Syrians in the country to be sent home now that the regime of Bashar al-Assad is gone. Immigration is a major issue for Germans who will go to the polls in a snap election next month.

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s rise in the German parliamentary elections is causing concern in the country, with Social Democratic Party (SPD) member Denis Kocker deeming them “one of the biggest threats democracy has faced.”

Rolf Mutzenich, leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), warned of economic risks posed by Donald Trump’s return to the White House and rising far-right influence at home, stressing concerns over job losses, trade tensions, and threats to democracy.

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is focusing its agenda in next month’s elections on restricting immigration and reversing the current influx by pressuring countries of origin to accept returnees, as part of its efforts to counter what it describes as “radical Islamism,” an AfD candidate told Rudaw.

Several European countries on Monday announced that they will pause the processing of Syrian asylum cases, citing uncertainty with developments in Syria.

#SUMMARY#