17:01⇢EU Softens Combustion Engine Ban
⌨German media is heavily focused on the EU Commission's proposal to soften the combustion engine ban, allowing new petrol and diesel cars beyond 2035 under certain conditions (FAZ, Spiegel, Sueddeutsche, Tagesspiegel, Welt, Stuttgarter Zeitung, FR, merkur.de, RP Online, TAZ). This marks a significant shift from previous plans, drawing criticism from environmental groups (FR, merkur.de, TAZ). Domestic issues such as Merz's public emotional display (Junge Freiheit) and politician pension reversals (WAZ) receive less widespread attention.