They are not that common here in Germany in general, but my city has in the past years put up a dozen or so, mainly in public parks.
They are maintained by our municipal utility service and are basically always in perfect condition.
At least during summer. Being outdoor installations they are shut down (actually completely removed) during the winter months.

Other than that I only had one in elementary school 30 years ago, which also worked and a lot of actual natural springs with drinking outlets that are often maintained by rural communities.

Our city also has one of those natural water drinking fountains, but as it is the (still maintained and monitored) remains of a thermal baths project from a hundred years ago, it is not so suitable for actually quenching your thirst. Full of crazy salts and minerals with a faintly sulfuric aroma on top - but supposed to be healthy :-)

So, in general: no complaints where I live.

You are right. Just remembering e.g. the recent farce with the voting for Bundesverfassungsgericht…

Well, Bundestag is dominated by the CDU and she is a CDU member. So… 🤷‍♂️

And yes, the article is written more like a casual political comment and the German original also is a bit awkward, so your impression is right.

I had to check and it seems you are right. Next vote of EU Commission president would normally be in 2029, so she would have to go two years early.

Short reminder that the German president is not comparable to the usual role of a president in other countries, e.g. the U.S.
It is by far not so powerful and has (apart from some key functions during the legislative process) mainly representative tasks.

I would recommend “The mote in God’s eye”.
Fantastic premise with one of the most convincing and fascinating alien races (don’t look it up, there are some plot-twists!) as well as some action parts and space battles. AI free and the military is kind of a quaint feudalistic kind of style.

Came here to recommend that, but then realized that AIs often play major roles in this books…
So while definitely one of the greatest space opera books series, it does not quite fit OPs preference.

They were still in there?

Well, speaks for itself that they now officially left and before that already didn’t cooperate.