The deputy speaker of the parliament in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg has stepped down after admitting he had drawn a swastika on a ballot paper next to the name of a far-right AfD lawmaker. Center-left Social Democrat (SPD) politician Daniel Born made the transgression during a vote involving two Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmakers. Born said he would also step down from the SPD parliamentary group. However, Born stopped short of giving up his seat in parliament. Explaining his actions, Born cited deep concern over the far-right AfD and its disruptive conduct during thevote. Whether marking a swastika on a ballot during a secret vote constitutes a prosecutable crime remains to be determined by investigators and possibly the courts. Read more about the story here. https://p.dw.com/p/4y3L5 Copy link Skip next section German business sentiment cautiously optimistic 07/25/2025July 25, 2025 German business sentiment cautiously optimistic Lower interest rates, multi-billion-euro government investment plans and confidence that the European Union (EU) could secure a more favorable US trade deal have all contributed to a cautiously optimistic outlook in Germany's business sector this month. After the European Central Bank (ECB) left interest rates at 2% on Thursday, German ten-year government bond yields hit their highest in four months on Friday, with ECB President Christine Lagarde suggesting policymakers were less concerned than before about an abrupt slowdown in growth. Meanwhile, economic data suggests the Eurozone is weathering uncertainty over US tariffs reasonably well, with optimism growing that the EU will be able to secure a trade agreement with the United States at a lower tariff than the 30% threatened by President Donald Trump. "After good PMI numbers and a positive tone from the ECB, the path towards higher rates is becoming even clearer," commented ING rates strategist Michiel Tukker. "If a trade deal gets signed, we should see rates move up further." As for the precise impact on Germany, however, ifo President Clemens Fuest remained cautious about the broader outlook, telling the dpa news agency: "The upturn in the German economy remains sluggish." Similarly, Commerzbank chief economist Jörg Krämer attributed any economic growth next year — estimated at 1.4% — primarily to increased government spending, but bemoaned the lack of a "fundamental reset of economic policy."