Friedrich Merz
German politician, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- 6h ago
EU leaders reject US push to unfreeze Russian assets as Trump-Zelensky rift deepens
European leaders turned down a reported US proposal to release billions of euros in frozen Russian assets, while Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš accused Trump of betrayal over a Russian diesel deal.
- 7h ago
France and Germany ease 2035 EU car CO2 target and widen Made in Europe rules
The compromise would cut new-car CO2 by 90% from 2035 instead of 100%, and could let Britain count as Made in Europe under a separate deal. The draft still has to win backing across the EU.
- 10h ago
Merz contradicts Trump on Ukrainian strikes as Russian raids darken Kyiv
Russian strikes on power plants in Kyiv and northwestern Ukraine cut electricity for hundreds of thousands, as Kyiv dropped the energy truce Trump had announced.
- 10h ago
JU Deutschlandtag in Bonn: Merz to address delegates on Saturday, 17 October amid coalition strain
The Junge Union opens its Deutschlandtag in Bonn on Friday, 16 October, with Merz due to speak to delegates on Saturday, 17 October, about a year after a bitter clash over pensions.
- 12h ago
Hubertz plans federal law to block Berlin's housing socialisation plans
Federal construction minister Verena Hubertz (SPD) wants a law against housing socialisation as fast as possible, while the Left, which won the Berlin election, presses ahead with its plan for large private housing firms.
- 15h ago
EU summit divided over Spain's migration policy as Sánchez reportedly blocks tough text
Leaders at the Brussels summit criticised Spain's extraordinary regularisation of irregular migrants, while the conclusions recognised the special situation of Ceuta and Melilla. Pedro Sánchez said Europe is more present in both cities than ever before.
- 23h ago
Bundestag passes Frühstartrente, a state pension savings plan for children aged 6 to 18
The Bundestag voted on Friday, 16 October, for a scheme that pays 10 euros a month into savings accounts for children aged 6 to 18. The law still needs Bundesrat approval and has drawn criticism from the Greens and Die Linke.
- yesterday
France and Germany agree to ease 2035 car CO2 target and tighten 'Made in Europe' rules
The joint declaration, issued on Friday, 16 October, would require carmakers to cut CO2 by 90% by 2035 with no offsets for the remaining 10%. Germany also accepts stricter 'Made in Europe' criteria for companies receiving public funds.
- yesterday
Lagarde could be named World Economic Forum chair on 2 November, bringing forward her ECB exit
The World Economic Forum board meets on 2 November and could elect Christine Lagarde as chair, which would bring forward her departure from the European Central Bank ahead of its October 2027 term end.
- 2d ago
Latvian PM urges one less beer per European a year to aid Ukraine
On 15 October, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs proposed that every European drink one beer less a year and put the savings toward Ukraine's defence as the EU summit opened in Brussels.
- 2d ago
SPD to elect entire leadership at Bremen congress on 16 and 17 January after Bas quits
Bärbel Bas has stepped down as SPD co-chair and labour minister, and the party plans to elect its entire leadership at a congress in Bremen in mid-January.
- 2d ago
Merz rejects claim Ukraine aid cuts into German social spending as AfD attacks
Merz told the Bundestag that no euro for Ukraine is missing from German social or education budgets, while AfD leaders accused him of failing on reforms.
- 2d ago
Von der Leyen says 70 billion euro gap in Ukraine funding for 2027 must be closed
Ursula von der Leyen said the 2027 shortfall of 70 billion euros for Ukraine must be covered, with partner financing expected to supply a third of it. Friedrich Merz and Ulf Kristersson spoke to reporters in Brussels on the same day.
- 3d ago
Germany sets up 13-member commission to draft nursing care reform by January 2027
The federal cabinet set up the care structure commission on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, with first proposals due by the end of January 2027. The reform is to take effect on 1 July 2027.
- 3d ago
Saxony-Anhalt parliament backs AfD and BSW motion to halt aid to Ukraine
The motion, filed jointly by the AfD and BSW, passed with 44 of 83 votes on 14 October, while the CDU, SPD, Greens and Left Party voted against it.
- 3d ago
Germany's cabinet approves two-tier sugar tax on sweetened drinks from July 2027
Germany's cabinet approved a sugar tax on sweetened drinks on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, a day after the coalition settled its dispute. The levy of 26 or 32 cents per litre is due to start on 1 July 2027 and still needs approval from the Bundestag.
- 3d ago
Wadephul says Russia targets all of Europe as Tusk urges tougher sanctions
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul told the Warsaw Security Forum that Europe must tighten cooperation after a drone attack plot at Leipzig airport. Donald Tusk, after meeting Lithuania's prime minister, argued that the EU should strengthen Russia sanctions rather than weaken them.
- 3d ago
Germany, Italy and Belgium seek an EU "emergency brake" on new rules
Germany, Italy and Belgium want member states to be able to halt new EU laws seen as overly burdensome for governments and business. The proposal, set out in a letter to Council President António Costa, comes days before the leaders' summit on 15 and 16 October.
- 4d ago
Germany revokes refugee status for Syrians who returned or came to police attention
The migration office is withdrawing refugee status from Syrians who came to police attention or left and returned to Germany. It cites the end of Syria's civil war after Assad's fall in December 2024.
- 4d ago
Steinmeier appoints Alexander Schweitzer labour minister after Bärbel Bas resigns
Frank-Walter Steinmeier handed Alexander Schweitzer his appointment certificate on Tuesday, 13 October, a day after Bärbel Bas stepped down as minister and SPD chair. Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants pension and labour market bills in cabinet quickly, and the succession at the top of the SPD remains open.
