A German court has convicted five people of plotting to overthrow the government in a far-right coup and kidnap the former health minister.

Five members of a German far-right group have been jailed for plotting to overthrow the government and kidnap its health minister. Four of the group were described as "ringleaders" of a "terrorist organisation" which planned to use violence to trigger civil war-like conditions in Germany.

The defendants had planned to use bombs to cause nationwide blackouts and kidnap former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, prosecutors said. View on euronews

The prospective partners in Germany’s next government say they will seek to loosen the nation’s rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.

Germany has preached fiscal conservatism for years, but suddenly it’s taking the lead on pushing for European Union reforms aimed at freeing up more money for defense spending over the long term. A German envoy to the bloc has urged the bloc to change its budget rules in the face of geopolitical circumstances,

Friedrich Merz said Germany must quickly strengthen its defence capability because of the ‘increasing threat situation’.