Overview
- ZDF’s Maybrit Illner tees up a “Showdown im Bundestag – Merz ohne Mehrheit?” edition tonight, with Franziska Brantner, Juso leader Philipp Türmer, CSU’s Alexander Hoffmann, economist Monika Schnitzer and journalist Kerstin Münstermann on the panel.
- Wednesday’s Markus Lanz probed whether the pension package can pass on Friday, as CDU vice chair Sepp Müller expressed confidence while noting resistance from the Union’s “Junge Gruppe.”
- ARD’s Maischberger hosted Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on the pensions dispute and the 2026 budget, then turned to Ukraine peace proposals and European defense with Manfred Weber and Fabio De Masi.
- Tuesday’s Markus Lanz set the week’s tone by pairing the pension fight with reporting on US envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Vladimir Putin and with discussion of Ukraine talks and AfD-related protests.
- Tonight’s Markus Lanz shifts to party direction and business–AfD controversies with Greens co-leader Felix Banaszak, journalist Sabine Rennefanz, and entrepreneurs Raoul Roßmann and dm chief Christoph Werner, with lineups announced day-of and episodes quickly available in the broadcasters’ Mediatheks.