Friedrich Merz
German politician, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- 5h ago
EU leaders to press for new energy price measures at Brussels summit on 15 and 16 October
Zelensky will attend in person, and the 2028-2034 budget talks, now led by António Costa, are also on the agenda. The summit opens on Thursday 15 October at 09:00 Lisbon time and is set to end at lunchtime on Friday 16 October.
- 5h ago
EU leaders meet in Brussels on 15 October to split over 2028-2034 budget
Leaders meet on 15 and 16 October after the Irish presidency's 10 October compromise, which Berlin calls insufficient and Paris says lacks enough new EU revenue.
- 12h 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.
- 16h ago
Meloni and Merz reject Trump's Russian diesel deal; Moscow hits back
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the Trump-Putin diesel arrangement very risky in a Senate address on Wednesday, 14 October, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also rejected it. Moscow dismissed her criticism, and Ukraine's energy truce remains unconfirmed.
- yesterday
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.
- yesterday
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.
- yesterday
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.
- yesterday
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.
- 2d 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.
- 2d ago
CDU faction in Saxony-Anhalt to leave chamber during AfD premier vote in December
The CDU group in the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag decided on 13 October to leave the chamber during the first two ballots on AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund for state premier, scheduled for 15 December.
- 2d ago
CDU presidium promises cheaper electricity for all after eastern state election defeats
The CDU presidium ended a two-day retreat in Berlin on Monday, 12 October, with a paper calling for a lower electricity tax for everyone. Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted a crisis of trust after the party's September state election defeats.
- 3d ago
Germany's intelligence chief warns Russia will keep up attacks, even after Ukraine war ends
On Monday, 12 October, BfV chief Sinan Selen said Russia may plan killings on German soil and that the threat would outlast any end to the war in Ukraine. Interior minister Alexander Dobrindt described a 'shadow war' aimed at destabilising the country.
- 3d ago
CDU presidium meets as Merz faces criticism over secret vote for AfD Landtag president
The CDU presidium meets Sunday and Monday as Friedrich Merz faces criticism over a secret vote in Saxony-Anhalt, where CDU members are suspected of having helped elect an AfD Landtag president.
- 4d ago
Burnham accuses Russia of meddling in 2016 Brexit vote and seeks EU reset
Andy Burnham says the Kremlin was involved in the 2016 referendum and wants a reset with Brussels at a summit on 20 November. Downing Street says he accepts the result as legitimate.
- 6d ago
French minister invites UK back to EU as Burnham keeps rejoining option open
Burnham is in Germany for talks with Friedrich Merz while he keeps a second Brexit referendum open. Roland Lescure said Britain can return to the EU 'anytime', and the offer comes as French borrowing costs reach a level not seen since 2002.
- 6d ago
German Greens present federal platform proposing wealth taxes and pension reforms
Party leaders Franziska Brantner and Felix Banaszak unveiled a comprehensive policy blueprint in Berlin ahead of their December congress, positioning the opposition party for potential early elections.
- 6d ago
UK and Germany enact Kensington Treaty as Burnham proposes joint GCAP fighter jet project
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz exchanged ratification papers in Berlin on Thursday, formalizing bilateral ties and agreeing on joint defense measures against hybrid attacks.
- Oct 7
Merz 'deeply outraged' as Schröder joins Putin for birthday celebration in Moscow
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is 'deeply outraged' that former chancellor Gerhard Schröder celebrated Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday, a German government spokesperson said on Friday. The Kremlin said Putin had invited his 'old friend' to his home, and criticism has spread across Merz's coalition.
- Oct 7
Merz insists on German welfare reform timetable as coalition talks resume in Berlin
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opened coalition talks on Wednesday to defend a package of pension, healthcare, and tax reforms following state election losses for both governing parties.
- Oct 7
Germany and France agree to lower EU 2035 car emissions reduction target to 80%
Berlin and Paris agreed on a joint proposal allowing more combustion vehicles after 2035 in exchange for stricter Made in EU subsidy rules.
