Germany’s political leaders are making a final push to sway voters as Sunday’s election approaches, with the outcome poised to impact not only the nation but Europe as a whole.

Conservative frontrunner Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told supporters that his leadership would restore Germany’s influence in Europe and marginalize the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merz will close his campaign with a rally in Munich, while his rivals are set to make their final pitches during a televised voter Q&A session.

This election follows months of political deadlock after the collapse of the previous government. Across Europe, hopes are high that the vote will bring stability to the EU’s largest democracy and economy, which continues to grapple with recession. However, forming a governing coalition is expected to take weeks.

Key campaign issues have centered on economic recovery and migration, with the latter dominating headlines after a series of deadly attacks since May 2024 in cities like Mannheim, Solingen, Magdeburg, Aschaffenburg, and Munich. On Friday night, a Spanish tourist was stabbed near Berlin’s Holocaust memorial, though his injuries are not life-threatening.

The attackers in these incidents were reportedly immigrants, fueling support for the AfD, which polls at around 20% with its nationalist, anti-immigration platform. Party leader Alice Weidel has attracted younger voters via social media, boasting 870,000 followers on TikTok. Her campaign, backed by figures like billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, advocates for securing Germany’s borders and deporting illegal migrants involved in crime—a policy critics link to mass deportations.

Public opposition to the far-right has also been visible. On Friday, hundreds gathered in Solingen, where a Syrian man was accused of fatally stabbing three people last August. “We have friends whose parents didn’t grow up here. We don’t want anyone kicked out,” said Natalie, 35, while another protester, Jochen, held a sign reading, “Never Again is Now!”

A strong police presence monitored the protest amid rising security concerns. A police union spokesperson warned of potential attacks aimed at destabilizing democracy.

Mainstream parties, including the CDU, have ruled out forming a coalition with the AfD. However, if the AfD surpasses 20%, it could double its seats in Germany’s 630-seat parliament. Merz’s most likely coalition partner is the Social Democratic Party (SPD), though current Chancellor Olaf Scholz may not retain his role. As the SPD lags in third place, Scholz hopes undecided voters—estimated at one in five—could still swing the election.

Merz, addressing 1,200 supporters in Darmstadt, described a shifting global landscape, expressing doubt that the U.S. would celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary with Germany. Criticizing the outgoing government’s lack of international leadership, he pledged, “If elected, I will dedicate significant time to keeping the European Union united.”

With the final votes approaching, Germany stands at a crossroads, and the election’s outcome will shape both national and European politics in the years ahead.

A local community in the Philippines has launched an unconventional initiative to combat the spread of dengue—offering residents a cash reward for capturing mosquitoes.

Carlito Cernal, village chief of Barangay Addition Hills, a densely populated neighborhood in Metro Manila, announced a bounty of one peso (less than two US cents) for every five mosquitoes collected. The initiative, which began after two students in the community died from dengue, aims to curb the mosquito population and reduce infection rates.

While the bounty applies to both live and dead mosquitoes, as well as larvae, captured live mosquitoes will be exterminated using ultraviolet light, Cernal said.

Public Response and Government Reaction

The announcement has sparked ridicule on social media, with users joking that people might start “mosquito farming” to claim rewards. Others questioned the logistics of verifying mosquitoes, with one user quipping, “Will a mosquito get rejected if it has only one wing?”

Despite the online backlash, Cernal defended the initiative, emphasizing the urgency of the dengue outbreak in their overcrowded barangay.

“This is one of the biggest and most dense areas in Metro Manila. We have to do something to help the local government,” he told reporters.

So far, 21 residents have participated, turning in a total of 700 mosquitoes and larvae in exchange for small cash rewards.

The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) acknowledged the good intentions behind the program but refrained from endorsing it, stating:

“We appreciate the efforts of local officials to fight dengue, but we urge them to coordinate with health experts for evidence-based solutions.”

The department did not confirm whether the mosquito bounty would be an effective dengue prevention method.

Dengue Crisis and Government Warnings

The Philippines has seen a sharp increase in dengue cases, with the DOH reporting 28,234 cases as of February 1—a 40% rise from the previous year. Barangay Addition Hills alone recorded 44 dengue cases in the latest outbreak.

Dengue is endemic in tropical regions and thrives in urban areas with poor sanitation where standing water allows mosquitoes to breed rapidly. Severe cases can cause internal bleeding and organ failure, leading to death. Symptoms include high fever, nausea, muscle pain, and headaches.

The DOH has urged the public to take preventative measures, including:
✔ Cleaning surroundings and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water in old tires and containers
✔ Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and trousers
✔ Applying mosquito repellent

Additionally, the rainy season has worsened public health risks, with authorities also noting a rise in influenza and leptospirosis cases—the latter being a bacterial disease spread through contaminated floodwaters.

A Temporary Solution?

Cernal emphasized that the mosquito bounty was only a supplementary measure to existing dengue control programs, such as street cleaning and sanitation campaigns.

“We are not relying solely on this. We are also pushing for proper waste disposal and preventing stagnant water buildup,” he said.

As dengue cases continue to climb, health officials remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the cash-for-mosquitoes program, urging scientifically proven interventions instead. Whether the bounty initiative makes a significant impact remains to be seen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of a European military force to defend against Russia, warning that the continent can no longer rely on U.S. protection. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not accept peace deals made without its involvement, following reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to initiate negotiations.

A Shift in Transatlantic Relations

Zelensky’s remarks come amid growing uncertainty over America’s commitment to European security. In a speech at the conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance called on European nations to take greater responsibility for their defense, signaling a shift away from traditional U.S. leadership in NATO.

“Yesterday here in Munich, the U.S. vice president made it clear—the decades-old relationship between Europe and America is ending,” Zelensky said. “From now on, things will be different, and Europe needs to adjust to that.”

A European Military Force?

Zelensky’s proposal for an “army of Europe” echoes past calls from leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, who has long advocated for an independent European defense force to reduce reliance on the U.S.

“Many, many leaders have talked about Europe needing its own military,” Zelensky stated. “An army—an army of Europe.”

His comments reflect growing frustration within NATO and the European Union, especially as U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggest that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO anytime soon. Hegseth has also dismissed the idea of Ukraine reclaiming its pre-2014 borders, a stance that has further strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.

Trump-Putin Talks Raise Concerns

The Trump-Putin peace discussions, held without European input, have alarmed Ukrainian officials. Zelensky revealed that Trump had briefed him on the talks but failed to mention Europe’s role.

“A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table—that says a lot,” Zelensky said. “The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.”

Trump and Putin have reportedly agreed to meet in Saudi Arabia, with plans for potential visits to each other’s capitals. While no date has been set for Trump’s visit to Moscow, Zelensky accused Putin of orchestrating a propaganda spectacle.

“Next, Putin will try to get the U.S. president standing on Red Square on May 9, not as a respected leader, but as a prop in his own performance,” Zelensky warned.

May 9 marks Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

European Leaders Weigh In

European leaders have voiced strong opposition to any peace agreement that does not include Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Germany would never support a dictated peace, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Europe must take charge of Ukraine’s future, or risk having global powers decide for them.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin insists that Ukraine will have a role in negotiations, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that Kyiv “will of course” be involved in some capacity.

As Ukraine’s war with Russia approaches its three-year anniversary, Zelensky’s calls for a unified European defense force could mark a turning point in the continent’s security strategy. Whether European nations will act on his proposal, however, remains to be seen.