18:39⇢Merz's Alpha Diplomacy
⌨The newspapers report on Chancellor Merz establishing his dominance at his first EU summit, with outlets describing his "alpha male" approach marking a stark departure from previous German leadership styles in Europe (Süddeutsche). Domestic political tensions escalate as Merz faces fierce criticism over planned cuts to disability inclusion programs, with hundreds of thousands signing petitions against what activists call a "slap in the face" for disabled people (Merkur). Multiple sources cover Germany's fiscal debates, questioning whether the country can afford its current debt levels while asylum policy hardens across Europe, with outlets tracking a competitive race toward stricter migration measures among EU states (FAZ, Welt, TAZ). Meanwhile, Middle East coverage shifts as Israeli calls for ending the Gaza war emerge following recent escalations, while German analysts discuss alternatives to military action against Iran's regime (FR, Spiegel).