Germany eases truck bans as rivers run low, AfD launches campaign, sailor body recovered
Germany will allow trucks on motorways on Sundays and holidays as low river levels curb ship traffic, the AfD began its Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania campaign, and a missing German sailor was found dead in the southern Aegean.
Facing a shortage of water in the Rhine and other German rivers, the federal government announced that trucks may use the Autobahn on Sundays and public holidays, a move welcomed by the Federation of German Industries as a way to keep supply chains moving. Holger Lösch of the BDI urged swift implementation, though transport groups noted that driving-time rules would still apply. In the political sphere, the Alternative for Germany held a rally in Stralsund to launch its campaign for the upcoming state election, featuring Leif-Erik Holm, Enrico Schult and Dario Seifert, with Jörg Urban attending as a guest.
The party currently leads polls in the state at around 36 percent. Separately, Greek coastguard reports confirmed that a German sailor missing after his vessel was carried off by currents near the island of Symi has been found dead, while five other Germans were rescued and two reached shore on their own.
Why it matters
The story shows how Germany is adapting transport policy to climate-driven river lows, highlights a key regional election, and reports a tragic maritime incident.
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