CDU-Absturz & Linken-Sieg | Tankrabatt 3.0 | Milliarden für Kampfjets | heute-show vom 25.09.2026

The episode opens with commentary on the CDU's historic loss in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Chancellor März's decision to remain in office despite coalition tensions with the SPD and internal party divisions. The show observes that the CDU has lost younger voters entirely, with no clear explanation for why young people no longer support the party, contrasting this with the party's historical dominance.

The second major segment focuses on the Left Party's surprising 25.7% election result in Berlin under candidate Elif Eal, which could potentially lead to a new coalition government. However, the show highlights serious concerns about the party's handling of antisemitic incidents, including a known Hamas supporter attending the official election party, a candidate calling for an 'election intifada,' and a rapper at a Left Party event calling for the death of Israeli armed forces. The show distinguishes between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy and antisemitism, while expressing concern that these incidents represent a pattern rather than isolated cases.

The show then criticizes the Left Party's expropriation plan for 220,000 apartments, interviewing a party representative (Walerie Nihaus) who admits uncertainty about compensation costs (ranging from €1 to several billion) and acknowledges Berlin's massive budget deficit of 4.6 billion. The satire suggests the party has no realistic financial plan for implementation.

A substantial segment addresses the third fuel discount (Tankrabatt 3.0), noting that previous fuel discounts cost €1.6 billion with only 80% reaching consumers while oil companies pocketed 20%. The show satirizes this as a failed policy being repeated despite poor outcomes, with oil industry representative Holger Stockhaus defending corporate profits and claiming the industry deserves thanks. The show criticizes that only car drivers receive subsidies while other transportation users don't, and notes a proposed fuel price cap isn't expected until 2027.

The final major segment criticizes defense spending, particularly Boris Pistorius's purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the US for €10 billion total (€4 billion down payment). The show notes the jets have only 25% operational readiness in the US fleet due to corrosion and spare parts issues, and highlights that contracts are dictated by the Trump administration with no German negotiation rights. It also criticizes broader defense budget mismanagement, including the cancelled Efkas project and frigate 126 (which cost €2.4 billion before cancellation, leading to ordering new frigates for €6.3 billion). The show questions whether defense recruitment is adequate, noting only 1,155 soldiers were scheduled from 451,500 young people contacted.

The episode concludes with a segment on Russian Duma elections and Putin supporters in Germany, satirizing the AfD's alignment with Russian interests and Putin's influence on German far-right politics.