Monday, 6 July 2026: ‘Mayors for Peace’, trams running almost without interruption, and fires in southern Europe

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As of today, Monday, the flag of the “Mayors for Peace” network – which campaigns against the use of nuclear weapons – is flying outside the New Town Hall. The city of Leipzig has been a member of the alliance since 2005. Also: With the exception of two lines, all trams on Leipzig’s tracks are once again running to their usual timetable, whilst in France, 10,000 people had to be evacuated due to a large-scale fire. The LZ reports on the key events in Leipzig, Saxony and beyond on Monday, 6 July 2026.

‘Mayors for Peace’ against the use of nuclear weapons

Today, 6 July, at 3 pm, the flag of “Mayors for Peace: For a peaceful world without nuclear weapons” was raised in front of the New Town Hall. At 5.00 pm, a prayer for peace took place at St Nicholas’ Church. Skadi Jennicke (Die Linke), the city’s councillor for culture, read out a message of welcome there.

Leipzig has been part of the international network of cities since 2005; the network was founded in 1982 on the initiative of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The alliance, which campaigns against the use of nuclear weapons, now comprises over 8,600 cities and municipalities from 166 countries.

Traditionally, the day of remembrance commemorates 8 July 1996, when a legal opinion was issued in The Hague, the Netherlands, which concluded that the threat and use of nuclear weapons are generally incompatible with the rules of international humanitarian law. The opinion is not legally binding, but should be understood as an appeal and a joint agreement.

The flag – a white dove on a green background – will fly in front of the New Town Hall until 9 July.

LVB Update

Since the start of the new week today, almost all tram lines operated by Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) are running as normal again. Only lines 8 and 12 are not yet back in service. According to LVB, however, they should be up and running by the middle of the week.

To thank all the volunteers who have helped the company’s staff over the last few days to clear the tracks of melted joint sealant, the transport company has launched a thank-you campaign running until 12 July. As part of this, passengers can take a second person with them for free on presentation of their ticket.

Klingbeil presents draft budget

Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) presented his draft budget for 2027 today. A total of 203.7 billion euros in new debt is set to be incurred next year. Of this, 118.7 billion euros is allocated to the core budget, 54.9 billion to the Infrastructure Special Fund, and 30 billion euros is earmarked from the Bundeswehr Special Fund.

Interest payments on the debt will amount to 41.9 billion euros next year. By 2030, this figure is set to rise to 80.7 billion euros due to higher interest costs.

According to Klingbeil, the budget for Labour and Social Affairs, at 201.5 billion euros, remains the largest share of the federal budget. His party colleague Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, will also receive 109.7 billion euros for his ministry – a budget he describes as disproportionately high.

Among other things, Klingbeil wants to make cuts to the Climate and Transformation Fund. He described this as having been “very chaotic”. Each cabinet is also to cut two per cent from its proposed budget.

City councillor, the DNA of the East and a knife attack

What the LZ reported on today:

Knife attacks on ex-lovers in a trendy bar: Regional Court acquits defendant

The City Council met: How some councillors dream of a quiet meeting villa in Machern

The DNA of the East: The full diversity of East German mentalities in 15 interviews

The City Council met: A final appeal from Leipzig for the tunnel solution in Agra Park

The City Council met: The Leibniz Gymnasium on Nordplatz will not be refurbished before 2032

Trial over arms sales and major fires in southern Europe

Other important news today:
The trial against three men aged 35, 38 and 60 began today, Monday, at the Wuppertal Regional Court. They are accused of hoarding and reselling an extensive arsenal of weapons – including machine guns, hand grenades and anti-tank weapons – in a secret warehouse in Remscheid.

Around 10,000 people in France have had to leave their homes. They were evacuated due to a large-scale forest fire in the south-west of the country. Thousands of firefighters are also battling blazes in Greece, Portugal and Spain.

What’s happening tomorrow:
The NATO summit will take place in Turkey tomorrow, Tuesday, and on Wednesday. Ahead of the meeting of heads of state and government from around the world, concerns are already circulating that US President Donald Trump might seek to scale back US support.