Europe News Germany's Merz announces sweeping reforms in key breakthrough After seven hours of talks, the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreed on sweeping tax, labour and pension reforms, a breakthrough aimed at reviving the struggling economy and countering the rise of the far right. 02/07/2026
Europe News Chancellor Merz’s confusing X posts on World Cup exit explained "You thrilled our country at this World Cup," wrote Chancellor Merz after the team’s exit – but reactions show he misread the mood. A second X post and his explanation for the debacle followed. 30/06/2026
Europe News How China’s currency makes the EU's trade deficit worse EU leaders last week pointed to the undervaluation of the yuan as a major factor in the EU’s record trade deficit with China, which Brussels is taking steps to address. 23/06/2026
Europe News Kallas-Israel spat draws mixed reactions from EU leaders EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas faced a mixed reaction at the Brussels summit over alleged remarks comparing Israel to apartheid South Africa, after Israel cut contact with her. 19/06/2026
Europe News Germany and Poland to boost military cooperation in new defence deal Berlin and Warsaw are set to expand their defence collaborations in a new deal aiming to boost plans to protect the Baltic Sea and enhance military cooperation and communications between the two European allies. 17/06/2026
No Comment Watch: German chancellor surprises Trump with 'Trump 47' football jersey at G7 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a personalized football jersey during the G7 summit in France. 16/06/2026
Europe News ILA Berlin: Fighter jets fly but drones dominate the debate While flight displays and military hardware continue to draw the crowds, drones, autonomous systems and a new generation of defence companies are increasingly shaping the conversation at ILA Berlin. 11/06/2026
Europe News Why the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project failed Planned as Europe's biggest joint defence project, FCAS has been abandoned after French and German companies failed to resolve years of disputes, despite repeated political intervention. 09/06/2026
Europe News France and Germany abandon joint fighter jet project The project was seen as a key test of European efforts to work more closely on defence as they seek to present a united front in the face of a hostile Russia at a time of souring ties with the United States. 09/06/2026
Europe News Zelensky arrived in UK for talks with Eu leaders on defence The talks will focus on coordinating European support for Ukraine, increasing pressure on Russia and efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. 07/06/2026
Culture news "Mehrzweckeier": Anti-Merz diss as youth word of the year? 'Mehrzweckeier': youth word of the year as a protest? Citizens can now vote on it officially. What began as criticism of conscription reform is now aimed at Friedrich Merz. Insult or free speech? 06/06/2026
Europe News Euroviews. UN Security Council defeat raises questions for Germany Germany failed to get the 127 votes required for a seat on the UN Security Council. For Euronews, Alexander Wolf explains why. 04/06/2026
Europe News What Germany expects from Hungary as Magyar visits Merz Hungarian Prime Minister Magyar is paying his first official visit to Berlin. Germany will discuss Hungary's new role in the EU, expecting Budapest to not cause political headaches. 02/06/2026
Europe News Zelenskyy insists Ukraine deserves full EU membership Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a proposal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to grant Kyiv a non-voting "associate membership". Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine's EU presence must be complete, with full rights. 23/05/2026
Europe News 'Associate membership' risks leaving Ukraine in limbo, Ireland warns Helen McEntee, Ireland's foreign minister, warned that granting "associate membership" to Ukraine risks leaving the country in a limbo in its aspirations to join the European Union as a full member, following German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's unprecedented plan. 22/05/2026
Europe News Merz's plan of 'associate membership' for Ukraine gets mixed reviews Diplomats in Brussels are casting doubt over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's bold plan to grant Ukraine "associate membership". The European Commission says any innovative solution should respect the "merit-based" nature of the multi-chapter accession process. 21/05/2026
Europe News Merz proposes 'associate EU membership' for Ukraine The "associate membership" envisioned by Friedrich Merz would allow Ukraine to request assistance from other EU countries against a Russian attack. This, Merz says, would create a "substantial security guarantee". 21/05/2026
Europe Today Watch: tough love and record-low polls—inside the Friedrich Merz disaster One year into Friedrich Merz’s chancellorship, the honeymoon is long gone - and much of the damage is self-inflicted. What went wrong? 21/05/2026
Europe News Merz and Trump hold “good” phone call, German Chancellor says German Chancellor Merz said earlier phone discussions with US President Donald Trump included the situation of the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement that Tehran should not possess nuclear weapons. 15/05/2026
Europe News Merz doubles down on opposition to ‘Draghi-style’ common debt proposal German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated his opposition to issue additional joint debt to strengthen European competitiveness during a speech in Aachen on Thursday, in response to Mario Draghi’s acceptance speech for the Charlemagne Prize. 15/05/2026