December 21, 2025 – Germany Headlines

Story gist: The U.S. Justice Department stated that former President Donald Trump issued no instructions regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s files.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like DIE ZEIT report straightforwardly that Trump gave no instructions on Epstein files, using the Justice Department’s direct claim. Center outlets like Handelsblatt emphasize files were not changed in Trump’s favor, highlighting absence of beneficial alterations. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, omitting a perspective that exonerates Trump from interference claims.

Story gist: CDU election campaigners criticize party leader Friedrich Merz, stating ‘We must not continue like this.’ The federal government warns German car manufacturers against holding onto combustion engines as the auto lobby weakens its influence in Brussels.

Bias summary: Left-leaning taz frames the story positively as the German car lobby’s influence slackening in Brussels against combustion engine phase-out, emphasizing environmental policy wins. Center Handelsblatt neutrally reports the government’s warning to automakers to adapt. Right-leaning WELT emphasizes internal CDU dissent against Merz, highlighting party divisions. Left tone celebratory, center factual, right focuses on opposition infighting.

Story gist: Weather forecasts indicate frosty conditions in Hessen around Christmas with varying snow chances. Reports assess current snow heights, lift status, and prospects in Winterberg as of December 20.

Bias summary: No left-leaning outlets cover the story, omitting potential climate or environmental angles. Center coverage via Reisereporter delivers practical, service-oriented details on Winterberg snow depths, lifts, and weather for travelers. Right-leaning Bild.de frames it positively, emphasizing highest chances for a traditional white Christmas on Heiligabend with location-specific excitement.

Story gist: A family reported their five-year-old son disappeared after the vehicle attack on Magdeburg’s Christmas market. One year later, commemorations occurred in Magdeburg for the victims.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Spiegel frames the anniversary with emotive ‘Todesfahrt’ (death drive), emphasizing the perpetrator’s deadly act. Center tagesschau uses neutral ‘Anschlag auf den Weihnachtsmarkt’ (attack on Christmas market), focusing on location and victims. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting the commemoration and missing child report entirely.

Story gist: German opposition leader Friedrich Merz addressed a proposed multibillion-euro credit to Ukraine amid debate over frozen Russian assets. The discussion involves political maneuvering on funding the war effort.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Spiegel frames Merz as outmaneuvered in the dispute over Russian billions, emphasizing his defeat. Center tagesschau neutrally quotes Merz praising the solution as ‘even better.’ Right-leaning WELT highlights the new credit’s potential multibillion cost to Germany, stressing financial risks and omissions of benefits.