Friedrich Merz | Euronews

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Europe News

France set to clash with Germany and Italy at EU leaders' retreat

Paris is facing a Berlin-Rome axis in the debate over how to revive the EU economy. From eurobonds to a European preference and the Mercosur trade deal, competing visions are set to collide when the bloc’s 27 leaders meet on Thursday.

Europe News

EU leaders grapple with how to build and finance a competitive Europe

EU leaders want to turn Europe into a competitive economic powerhouse with a strong single market, but they must agree on how to build and finance it. These questions will be at the heart of an informal summit on Thursday.

Europe News

Should the EU talk to Putin? Leaders agree to disagree – for now

The idea of re-engaging with the Kremlin as part of the peace talks to end the war in Ukraine has sharply split EU countries, with some calling for a special envoy and others insisting that Russia make concessions first.

Europe Today

Europe Today: Von der Leyen calls for a multi-speed Europe

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Europe News

Germany opposes direct talks with Putin due to 'maximalist demands'

As Paris and Rome push for reopening diplomatic channels with Moscow, Berlin is taking the opposite position.

Economy

EU industry chief backs European preference ahead of leaders' meeting

EU industry commissioner Stéphane Séjourné called for a "European preference" to boost the bloc's competitiveness, but member states are divided over the strategy.

Italy

Meloni and Merz: 'Let Europe take the lead and choose its own destiny'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed the new German-Italian Action Plan in Rome, where the two delegations met for the intergovernmental summit in Rome on Friday.

Europe News

The EU's new dynamic duo? Merz heads to Italy for summit with Meloni

A closer alliance between Meloni and Merz is on the horizon, with the ambition to change Europe after decades of dominance by the Franco-German axis.

Switzerland

Activists caught trying to paint German chancellor's plane pink

Police and a protest group calling itself the Resistance Collective confirmed the early-morning incident at the airfield where Merz, a hobby pilot, parks his plane.

Europe News

EU-India trade deal could be agreed by February, Merz says

The German chancellor is already a strong supporter of the contentious Mercosur agreement adopted by EU countries last Friday.

No Comment

German Chancellor Merz visits India to boost economic and defence ties

During his first official visit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and India's PM Modi discussed trade, technology, and green development, aiming to reduce reliance on China.

World News

Merz's Ukraine remarks spark German backlash over troop deployments

The possible deployment of Bundeswehr troops to Ukraine has become a topic of debate in Germany, the prospect drawing criticism from both the left and the right.

Germany

'We are not a pawn in the hands of major powers,' Merz says

In the text of his New Year's address, the Chancellor describes a world in permanent crisis mode and insists on his ability to act. The speech will be broadcast on 31 December.

Europe News

Reparations loan for Ukraine: Who's in favour and who's against?

The European Union's bold attempt to issue a reparations loan to Ukraine using immobilised Russian assets has sharply divided the bloc's key leaders. Ahead of a crucial summit, Euronews breaks down who's in favour and who's against.

World News

Talks in Berlin: Will Zelenskyy renounce NATO membership?

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to renounce NATO membership if there are security guarantees. US envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are also present at the major Berlin meeting on the war in Ukraine.

Germany

NATO chief lauds Germany as it aims for 'most capable army in Europe'

While Washington seems inclined to tilt towards Moscow, Germany is rearming and may soon have the strongest army in Europe.

Europe News

Merz 'sceptical' of US plans for Ukraine as Europeans reaffirm support

Volodymyr Zelenskyy started another intense diplomatic week on Monday after Ukraine concluded talks with US negotiators without a breakthrough, triggering criticism from Trump.

Europe News

Doubts grow over reparations loan for Ukraine as final deadline nears

The push to approve the reparations loan for Ukraine has entered the final stretch ahead of an EU leaders' summit on 18 December. Belgium continues to oppose the proposal, while Hungary rejects the Plan B of joint debt. Ursula von der Leyen has warned there are "no easy options".

World News

Netanyahu says second phase of ceasefire expected 'very shortly'

The meeting between Merz and Netanyahu revealed clear differences in their stance on Gaza and the two-state solution, however both leaders emphasised their commitment to maintaining a close bilateral relationship.

World News

Merz promotes peace plan with Abbas ahead of visit to Israel

In the run-up to his trip to Israel, the German Chancellor spoke with Mahmoud Abbas about the US peace plan and called for reforms in the Palestinian leadership. The goal remains a negotiated solution for more security in the region.