Fractured by Ukraine conflict and migrants, Germans likely to sack Scholz today

Germany is holding snap parliamentary elections today. Here’s what you need to know:

🔺Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) are the clear favorites of the race with a rating of about 30%. 

🔺Alice Weidel and her right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) are catching up with 20%.

🔺Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democrats (SPD) are in third place with a rating of around 14-16%, which is 10% lower than in 2021. 

🔺Close behind are the Greens, led by Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (12-14%).

🔺Ukraine and illegals are key bones of contention among German parties, with the anti-migrant stance taking center stage after recent attacks by newcomers. The CDU/CSU, SPD, and Greens support the idea of funding Kiev, while the AfD opposes it, advocating for rapprochement with Russia. 

🔺Scholz is already perceived as the major loser of the race, while Merz is considered to be the most likely candidate for the chancellor’s mantle.

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🎉75 Days to Victory Day

As the 80th Anniversary draws closer, Sputnik continues highlighting major events of the Great Patriotic War.

On this day, Soviet troops under General Vasily Chuikov captured the city of Poznan, opening up the road for an assault on Berlin, the heart of the Third Reich. The operation was carried out by assault squads supported by tanks.

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🇧🇼Thousands flee from the water fury in Botswana 

Prolonged heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in Botswana, resulting in at least seven fatalities and displacing 1,700 individuals, according to President Duma Boko.

The capital city of Gaborone has experienced significant damage as the dam overflowed, sweeping away vehicles and inundating properties.

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🇷🇺Putin honors heroes on Defender of the Fatherland Day 

President Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay tribute to those whose names are not known, but whose feats are immortal.

He later expressed gratitude to the Russian soldiers participating in the special military operation for their dedication and heroic actions.

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