Friedrich Merz | Euronews

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Germany

Merz rejects calls to drop 'firewall' and work with Germany's AfD

The far-right AfD party finished second in Germany's snap national election in February and polls since then have shown its support base continues to grow.

Culture news

German chancellor threatens to boycott Eurovision if Israel excluded

Chancellor Friedrich Merz says that if Israel is excluded from Eurovision 2026, Germany will not take part.

Germany

Experts call for rapid European rearmament on 35th anniversary of German unification

Leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Germany to attend the anniversary celebrations on Friday.

Business

'Europe First': Berlin favours European arms over US weapons

For decades, Germany relied on the US for its security policy. But that era is over, experts tell Euronews.

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World News

Oh it's personal: Viral Russian fakes about European politicians

Russia has increasingly targeted European leaders with false claims and outlandish accusations. European politicians who have expressed strong support for Ukraine are among those attacked the most. What are the most preposterous fake stories about European politicians made by Russian propaganda?

Germany

Polish president visits Germany amid tensions over WWII reparations

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has arrived in Berlin with a clear demand: war reparations from Germany. Yet amid Russian aggression, Poland also needs its neighbour’s support. Experts told Euronews what's at stake.

Business

Are German politics to blame for the automotive industry crisis?

At the opening of the International Motor Show (IAA) in Munich, a trade expert spoke to Euronews about the challenges facing Germany's automotive sector and says political decisions are to blame.

Germany

German Chancellor Merz 'mentally preparing' for long war in Ukraine

Speaking in an interview on Sunday with German public broadcaster ZDF, Merz said he has not lost hope about the ceasefire or peace talks but “harbours no illusions".

Economy

Germany’s GDP contraction worse than expected after tariff boost

The economy had seen a slight uptick at the start of this year as businesses sought to get ahead of tariffs, but the country has now slipped back into contraction territory.

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WATCH: Berlin hosts Ukraine talks before Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday for talks with European and US leaders ahead of a Trump-Putin summit in Alaska later this week.

Ukraine

Trump warns of 'consequences' if Russia does not stop war in Ukraine

Ukraine’s president and European leaders held virtual talks with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, just days before his much-anticipated meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Europe News

European leaders hope to sway Trump on Ukraine during virtual meeting

US President Donald Trump will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday with Europe once more fearful its interests will be trampled on.

Germany

Why the German chancellor cannot celebrate his 100 days in office

The German government has left for its summer break, but things are bubbling up behind the scenes. And Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure - not only in the polls, but also from within his own ranks.

Germany

Germany halts military exports that could be used in Gaza, Merz says

Merz’s comments come amid a sea change of opinion among a number of Western countries about how the war in Gaza is being fought and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

Europe News

On defence, France and Germany are inching closer but remain far apart

Germany has a lot of catching up to do but has plenty of fiscal space to do it.

World News

E3 leaders make renewed call for ceasefire in Gaza amid hunger deaths

The call comes after the three leaders spoke again by phone on Saturday morning, following Friday's conversation. According to the British PM Keir Starmer, the E3 leaders talked about the situation in Gaza, which they agreed is appalling.

Economy

EU member states adopt retaliatory hit list in response to US tariffs

The member states adopted on Thursday morning the list of countermeasures targeting €93 billions' worth of US products in response to US tariffs, but the Commission is yet to follow suit. It will only come into effect on August 7 if the two parties fail to reach an agreement.

Germany

Defence and tariffs top the agenda at Merz and Macron working dinner

As Merz hosted Macron in Berlin, their agenda included a long list of topics, such as defence, energy and EU trade policy.

Europe News

Protesters drown out live interview with AfD leader Alice Weidel

Far-right leader Alice Weidel's scheduled "summer interview" was drowned out by raucous demonstrators.

Europe News

Germany's top firms present investment push to revive economy

Around 60 leading German companies pledged a major "Made for Germany" investment initiative on Monday, aiming to boost investor confidence in the country after two years of recession.