Tag: Germany

Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands all hold lessons for countries seeking to ease what German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls Europe's biggest burden - youth unemployment, a think tank said today (29 January).

Fifty years after the signing of the Elysée Treaty, the most active bilateral relationship in Europe does not live up to its reputation. France and Germany read the crisis differently and have opposing views on the future of Europe. EurActiv France reports.

Three-quarters of French and 70% of Germans want their countries to harmonise tax and fiscal policy, according to an opinion poll carried out for the German Embassy in Paris. EurActiv France reports.

The majority of eastern Germans regard their western compatriots as "arrogant" and mostly interested in money, according to a new survey that highlights distinct east-west identities.

EU energy ministers are poised to seek "non-binding" guidance from the European Commission on reform of green fuel subsidies as part of a debate on new post-2020 policy goals, according to a draft document.

France’s plan to merge its railway and infrastructure operations has drawn criticism and a call for the European Commission to block the move.

Since global economic ties are so closely meshed and dependent jobs are so numerous, a market intervention in the form of trade barriers would have fatal consequences for the European solar industry, writes Thorsten Preugschas.

Generating all energy from renewable sources is no longer a pipe dream in Europe. From Denmark to Austria, we can see examples of a successful energy transition. Germany is clearly seen as the front-runner and an important driver - especially due to its nuclear phase-out. But the energy transition is not only “made in Germany” but also “made in Europe”, says Anna Leidreiter.

Peer Steinbrück, the former Germany finance minister who is to run as the Social-Democrat (SPD) challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel next year, has demonstrated his tendency for plain speaking by calling Swiss bankers 'Indians' in a move that seems to set the tone for his electoral campaign.

Germany cleared the last legal hurdle to ratifying the euro zone's new bailout fund on Wednesday (26 September) with a cabinet declaration that addresses concerns raised by the country's Constitutional Court. The German parliament will have veto rights over any increase in Berlin's contribution, which is now capped at €190 billion.

Most countries appear to dislike Germany’s “better spending” proposal for the 2014-2020 EU budget, EurActiv has learned. The proposal, described by a diplomat as “blood, sweat and tears”, was tabled at a recent meeting of European affairs ministers in Nicosia.

By highlighting what European integration has achieved in the Ich will Europa (I Want Europe) campaign, German Chancellor Angela Merkel attempts to persuade German citizens that further sacrifices are worthwhile, argues Stratfor.

Germany may have to slow down its planned transformation to green energy, Environment Minister Peter Altmaier said in an effort to assuage worries that consumers will bear the brunt of the immense costs of the switch from nuclear.

The euro rose to a seven-week high against the US dollar yesterday (21 August), fuelled by speculation the European Central Bank could soon act to stem the region's debt crisis by lowering Spanish and Italian borrowing costs.

The European Commission today (14 August) downplayed any risk of a substantial delay in Germany’s final approval of the eurozone's permanent bailout fund despite efforts to postpone a ruling on its legality.

The leader of Germany's centre-left opposition, Sigmar Gabriel, has criticised Swiss banks for helping Germans avoid taxes in a strongly worded radio interview that could put new strains on ties between the two countries.

Germany is steaming ahead of traditional leaders France in research and development, says a new study by the French economy and finance ministry. EurActiv.fr reports.

The Eurogroup today (20 July) announced it would grant a bailout of up to €100 billion to Spain to help the country recapitalise its banks, following a telephone conference call during which finance ministers gave their backing to the rescue plan.

The eurozone crisis is reaching a new stage. It is no longer evolving in small economies, but also in large economies, Maria João Rodrigues tells EurActiv Slovakia.

The outcome of Greece's 17 June election disappointed Europe not because of the choice it made, but because the country was crippled with indecision, says George Friedman. The analysis was first published by Stratfor.

Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel have the opportunity to unify Europe for the third time in a century but, this time, through peaceful, democratic and "solidarisch" means, says David Gow.

The Obama administration has quietly endorsed the International Monetary Fund's support for European bailouts because the White House believes the deals will enforce "austerity" and gradually revive Europe's struggling economies. Now is the time to question that assumption, says Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Even though austerity depresses economic output, the Adjustment Programme is not the root of Greece's woes, argues Nikos Chrysoloras, a Brussels-based correspondent for Kathimerini, Greece’s leading newspaper and a Robert Bosch Stiftung “EU Journalism Fellow” for 2012, on a journalism practice with EurActiv.com.  The op-ed was first published on the Euro Crisis blog. 

László Andor, the EU's commissioner for employment and social affairs, yesterday (10 May) welcomed indications that Germany is prepared to bear inflation above the European Central Bank's target level and raise wages to help the struggling peripheral eurozone.