The Free State of Bavaria has officially added the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to its list of extremist organizations, which includes groups such as Reichsbürger, neo-Nazis, and Antifa. This designation, announced by Bavarian Interior Minister Florian Herrmann, imposes restrictions on AfD members, particularly concerning employment in the public sector. Concurrently, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) held a party congress in Berlin where it elected Bärbel Bas and re-elected Lars Klingbeil as co-leaders, although Klingbeil received only 64.9% of the vote, marking a historically low result and reflecting internal party challenges. At the same congress, the SPD delegates unanimously voted to prepare legal proceedings to ban the AfD, citing the party as a threat to German democracy and labeling it as clearly extremist. A federal-state working group will be established to collect evidence to support this ban. The move has met skepticism from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and other conservative factions. Additionally, the SPD has nominated Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, a jurist known for her left-leaning positions including support for a ban on the AfD, mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, and a gender-inclusive constitution, as a candidate for the Federal Constitutional Court. Her nomination has sparked controversy and criticism within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, with concerns over her ideological stance and the potential impact on the court's independence. Despite opposition, the CDU/CSU has signaled support for her appointment, which requires a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and may depend on votes from the AfD or The Left party. Meanwhile, the ruling coalition of SPD and CDU/CSU is facing internal disputes over energy policy, particularly regarding the promised reduction of the electricity tax for private consumers. After prolonged negotiations, the coalition agreed not to implement further tax cuts for households, focusing relief instead on selected industries, a decision that has drawn criticism for breaking election promises and risking public trust. This energy tax controversy adds to the challenges faced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil as they navigate coalition dynamics and public dissatisfaction.