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Europe News

Merz to Europe: There's a new sheriff in town - Analysis

While Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is already plagued by criticism and sinking poll numbers at home, his EU partners are eagerly awaiting him on the Brussels scene. They expect him to replace the dullness of his predecessor with strong leadership - and Merz is willing to deliver.

Europe News

What to expect from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Poland

Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has plans to visit Warsaw before expected new Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to be sworn in in the first week of May. What does his visit mean for Polish-German relations?

Germany

German parliament set to elect Merz as chancellor on 6 May

Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) last week struck a coalition deal.

Europe News

Germany is open to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, says Merz

The chancellor-in-waiting said Kyiv must be allowed to 'get ahead'.

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Europe News

Hawks v doves: How EU member states are facing off amid US trade war

During the 90-day pause in transatlantic trade tensions, the EU is aiming to refine its strategy for addressing US tariffs, while hoping to enter into negotiations with Washington. However, the bloc remains divided between hawks and doves on how best to proceed.

Europe News

'Germany back on track,' says CDU's Merz as new coalition agreed

Germany's chancellor in waiting promises an end to instability and to make the country more competitive.

Europe News

Germany's CDU and SPD reach deal on new coalition government

The centre-right CDU and its sister party, CSU, have agreed on a joint coalition agreement with the centre-left SPD, which they plan to present on Wednesday afternoon.

Europe News

Setback for Merz: AfD ties with CDU/CSU in poll for first time

Many voters seem disappointed with the coalition negotiations carried out so far by the CDU/CSU. According to the latest Sunday Insa poll from Bild, the CDU/CSU has dropped to 24%, now tying with the AfD. This marks an all-time low for the Conservatives.

Europe News

German coalition talks reach crucial next level

The coalition parties most likely to form the new German government have intensified talks.

Germany

Germany's upper house clears historic defence spending bill

The package, which will allow for a large increase in military expenditure, passed through the Bundesrat despite objections from several smaller parties.

Europe News

Germany's parliament passes historic package boosting defence spending

Friedrich Merz needed the support of two-thirds majority in parliament for his plan to unlock billions for defence and infrastructure spending.

Economy

European stocks, euro rally as Germany strikes historic debt deal

Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, struck a deal to loosen borrowing limits, unleashing €500 billion for defence and infrastructure. Markets surged, while analysts debated its impact on inflation and ECB rate policy.

Germany

Germany's Friedrich Merz faces rocky road to lift debt brake rules

Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz wants to alter Germany's strict fiscal rules to massively boost defence spending, the Greens are standing in his way.

Europe News

Germany's Greens publicly oppose Merz's debt brake reform

Election winner and Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is relying on votes from the Greens to push through parliament a special fund for infrastructure and defence.

Europe News

Euroviews. Merz is chiseling economic decline into the German constitution

Friedrich Merz, who once presented himself as the last line of defence against debt madness, is now set to push Germany’s new debt into the trillion-euro range. This program will accelerate the country's economic decline, Joachim Nikolaus Steinhöfel writes.

Europe News

Preliminary talks conclude on new coalition government for Germany

According to Friedrich Merz, his conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democratic Party leaders agreed on common principles on migration and the economy.

Europe News

Merz secures billion-euro deal for German military and infrastructure

A provision would exempt defence spending above 1% of GDP from debt brake rules, enabling Germany to increase military spending without limit.

World News

Merz calls Trump-Zelenskyy spat at White House 'manufactured escalation'

The CDU leader said Europe must be prepared to act independently.

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Who is Friedrich Merz?

In this edition, we reflect on the big takeaways from the German federal elections and discuss the recent wave of copycat violent attacks across Europe.

Europe News

CDU and SPD start talks in bid to form next German government

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrats, has ruled out a coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which finished second in last week's elections.