Germany news: Campaigns wrap up in two state elections

Here is a roundup of the top headlines from and about Germany on the weekend of September 19-20, 2026: Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add DW as a Preferred Source on Google. The world-famous Oktoberfest will kick off in Munich on Saturday with a traditional ceremony where the city's mayor taps a first barrel of beer — the liquid focus of the event. New Munich Mayor Dominik Krause of the Green Party will open the 191st edition on the Theresienwiese festival grounds in the center of the Bavarian city at noon (1000 GMT). Read this DW preview for everything you need to know about Oktoberfest 2026 . Parties vying for power in Sunday's elections in two German states are wrapping up their campaigns with several events.