Friedrich Merz | Euronews

English

Europe News

Six takeaways from the European Political Community in Armenia

From Mark Carney's headline-grabbing attendance to Roberta Metsola's sharp rebuke, Euronews breaks down the six takeaways from the European Political Community in Armenia.

Europe News

'No strategy' behind Trump's withdrawal of NATO troops from Germany

Trump did not warn allies prior to his abrupt announcement of the withdrawal of 5,000 active-duty troops from Germany. The sudden move came amid an ongoing feud with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, sparked by his criticism of the US' war in Iran, and Washington's strategy.

Europe News

After Orbán, the EU faces tough questions about Ukraine's accession

The imminent departure of Viktor Orbán is forcing EU leaders to confront uncomfortable questions about Ukraine's accession process that the Hungarian veto had, until now, kept unanswered.

World News

Trump weighing US troop drawdown in Germany after Iran war feud

Trump's threat comes after Merz earlier this week said that Washington was being “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership, criticising the US lack of strategy in the war.

ADVERTISEMENT

Europe News

Merz suggests Ukraine’s EU bid may depend on territorial concessions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Ukraine’s proposed timeline for EU membership is unrealistic, as debate over enlargement continues to intensify. “Zelenskyy had the idea of joining the EU on January 1, 2027. That will not work. Even January 1, 2028, is not realistic."

World

German police launch raids against Syrian trafficking ring

Police believe the ring operated by using genuine residency documents issued to Syrian refugees in Germany, which were sent to people in Syria with a similar appearance.

Europe News

Europeans press ahead with Hormuz mission after Iran reopens strait

Meeting in Paris, the leaders said that a neutral mission may still be needed to safeguard shipping and prevent renewed disruption in the vital trade route.

Europe News

Berlin and Kyiv seal sweeping pact on drones, data and missiles

According to the Ukrainian president, who visited the German capital, at least 10 agreements were reached at the German-Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin - the first since 2004.

Ukraine

Zelenskyy to meet Germany's Merz in Berlin as Russia's war grinds on

Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin as Germany emerges as Kyiv’s main backer amid stalled US-led peace talks.

Germany

Germany's Merz world's most unpopular head of government, poll shows

Surveys show Friedrich Merz as the most unpopular leader across 24 democracies, far behind Narendra Modi, Lee Jae-myung and Andrej Babiš in approval.

Germany

Germany resumes talks with Iran, Chancellor Friedrich Merz says

Merz also said that the continued Israeli military campaign in Lebanon could jeopardise peace talks expected between the United States and Iran over the war in the Middle East.

Business

Germany and Italy propose EU ‘kill switch’ for global stablecoins

Germany and Italy have proposed creating an EU regulatory framework for stablecoins to strengthen financial market safeguards, shifting the discussion from the technical to the political level.

Germany

Germany and Syria 'working jointly' on refugee returns, Merz says

On his first trip to Germany since ousting his country's longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria's interim leader pledged to work with Germany to enable more Syrians to return.

Europe News

Not so fast: Brussels snubs Merz's suggestion for EU-China trade deal

Before the EU can even talk about a trade deal with China, Beijing must "meaningfully" address its distortive practices, Brussels said.

Europe in Motion

European leaders struggle in polls, but who's the least popular?

A study suggests the German chancellor is struggling domestically as his party failed to win a key state election, while several European leaders face similarly weak approval ratings.

Germany

Merz says Israel's West Bank settlement plan a 'big mistake'

Berlin has called for a unified European response to the "E1 project," which some officials warn poses an "existential threat" to the future of the two-state solution. Israel disputes this and maintains that the status of settlements is a matter of negotiations.

Germany

Top five things Germany's Merz should do to make China trip a success

While the German chancellor is visiting China in a major test of whether he can establish a relationship with President Xi and promote trade with Beijing in favour of the German economy, Euronews asked a China expert and Merz adviser for their top tips.

No Comment

Merz tours Forbidden City during key China trade discussions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz continued his first official visit to China with a tour of Beijing’s Forbidden City, as Berlin pushes for a more balanced trade relationship amid growing economic tensions.

EU.XL

The EU wants to buy European. But can it?

The EU’s “Buy European” plan is its biggest industrial policy effort in decades. Experts warn that it is also the most complex and risky.

China

China to buy 120 European-made Airbus aircraft, Germany's Merz says

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday to deepen ties between two of the world's leading economies.