Germany

Germany’s Merz softens skepticism of US role in NATO after meeting Rutte
After warning that NATO might not survive the year, new German chancellor now says transatlantic unity is back on track.

EU and Ukraine launch special tribunal to prosecute Putin’s war crimes

Merz to Trump: Give us ‘zero’ tariffs

Das Update zur AfD-Einstufung

Merz, die Ukraine und die USA – mit Wolfgang Ischinger

Populist currents and fragile coalitions: Trump’s shadow over Europe

Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou travels to Moscow with German and Slovak lawmakers
Germany’s spy agency walks back extremist label for AfD
The domestic intelligence agency steps back from labeling the AfD a confirmed extremist group — just days after making the explosive claim.
Das Kriegsende und Steinmeiers Glaubwürdigkeit
80 Jahre nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs setzt der Bundestag ein Zeichen – gegen Nationalismus, für historische Verantwortung. Frank-Walter Steinmeier will mit seiner Rede an Richard …
How Macron is playing hardball as Starmer strives for EU reset
While the French and the British have been working hand-in-hand on Ukraine, behind the scenes things haven’t been so harmonious.
Germany tightens border policy in ‘signal’ to world, interior minister says
Poland and Austria have criticized the new government’s plan, which would also see Berlin rejecting people who want to claim asylum.
Das Update mit Kanzler Merz in Paris
Seinen ersten Arbeitstag verbringt Friedrich Merz mit Reisen. Erst ist er in Paris, dann in Warschau. Gordon Repinski begleitet den neuen Kanzler sowohl in Frankreich als auch …
Macron, Merz tout renewed Franco-German engine to lead Europe
The two leaders say they will not let national interests divide them.
EU-Israel deal must be reviewed over Gaza aid dispute, urges Dutch minister
Caspar Veldkamp warns he will not support the renewal of an EU-Israel deal unless humanitarian law is taken into account.
Merz to Trump team: Stay out of German politics
The new conservative chancellor criticized top Trump administration officials’ recent defenses of Germany’s far-right AfD.
Friedrich Merz und der erste Tag als Kanzler
Jetzt beginnt die Arbeit für den neuen Regierungschef, aber auch für die Ministerinnen und Minister und Staatssekretäre. Rasmus Buchsteiner gibt den Überblick, welche Rädchen jetzt ineinander greifen …
Merz is weakened from Day 1. Europe will pay the price.
The EU’s center looks flaky, with France a mess and Germany’s Friedrich Merz having to battle to be confirmed as chancellor.
A bruised Merz wants to prove he’s a strong leader in first foreign trip as chancellor
The newly sworn-in German leader heads to Paris and Warsaw in an effort to rejuvenate an alliance and show he’s ready to lead despite political troubles at home.
Das Update zum Wahl-Drama um Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz ist Bundeskanzler – aber mit Makel: Im ersten Wahlgang durchgefallen. Das Update analysiert den dramatischen Tag im Bundestag, die fehlenden Stimmen aus den eigenen Reihen …
Merz becomes German chancellor in second Bundestag vote
Conservative leader scrapes together just enough votes to claim Germany’s top job — but he’s weakened already.
German ex-finance minister kills film producer’s dog with car
“I’m very sorry the dog died,” Christian Lindner says.
Germany in turmoil as Merz loses vote to be chancellor. What next?
The conservative leader’s wafer-thin majority is exposed after failing to get parliamentary support in a first vote. Another vote is expected Tuesday.
Humiliated Merz fails to be elected German chancellor on first parliament ballot
This failure is unprecedented in Germany’s postwar history.
Kanzler Merz und seine fünf wichtigsten Aufgaben
Dieser Tag steht ganz im Zeichen der Kanzlerwahl. Friedrich Merz ist an seinem Ziel, dem wichtigsten Staatsamt, angekommen. Wie er dafür sorgen kann, dass ihm seine Regierung …
Trump has already screwed over Germany’s new chancellor
Germany’s most important and powerful ally for many decades — the US — has only further weakened conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
How George Simion became a right-wing ‘messiah’ for Romanians abroad
TikTok and ultranationalism propels hard-right chief to cult status among Romania’s diaspora.
EU scientists sound alarm over escalating spring drought
Dry conditions are spreading to virtually every area of the continent.
Das Update zum Koalitionsvertrag
Friedrich Merz, Lars Klingbeil, Saskia Esken und Markus Söder unterzeichnen den Koalitionsvertrag – ein Moment zwischen Symbolik, bemerkenswerter Mimik und politischem Neuanfang. Gemeinsam mit Rasmus Buchsteiner analysiert …
Klingbeil, Pistorius, Bas … German Social Democrats reveal ministers for Merz Cabinet
Germany’s junior coalition partner hands key ministries to familiar faces — and springs a few surprises.
France could now prove the weak link in the Franco-German engine
The relationship between the two countries may be more difficult to rebuild than the warm words between Merz and Macron suggest.