Global Political Shifts: Key Developments from Israel to Germany

This summary encapsulates key global political events: Macron’s candidate meetings for a new prime minister, German state election upheavals, Israeli labor union calls for strikes, Kharkiv missile strikes, Azerbaijan's ruling party's probable retention of power, Chinese youth and unemployment, Germany’s far-right advancements, U.S. Democrats urging Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and wide-scale Israeli protests.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron is slated to meet with former presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, among other senior politicians, as he moves closer to naming a new prime minister. The meetings signal a critical phase in Macron's quest to reshape his administration.

Germany's state elections have delivered a powerful blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, with anti-establishment parties gaining ground. The results heighten the pressure on Scholz just a year before national elections, driving urgent debates on immigration and support for Ukraine.

Israel's largest labor union, Histadrut, has called for a general strike to press the government to expedite the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. This call from union chief Arnon Bar-David has widespread backing from key sectors, including high-tech entrepreneurs.

(With inputs from agencies.)