Daniel Mützel

G20 think tanks: ‘Merkel is right’
At the German presidency of the G20’s Think 20 Summit, experts agreed that the gap between Europe and the United States is widening and that there remains a desire for international cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Majority of Germans wouldn’t support defending NATO allies in Russia conflict
European approval of NATO is on the rise, according to a US study. Germans support the alliance too but in a conflict with Russia, only a minority would back defending a partner country. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Hungary and Slovakia’s case against refugee quotas gets day in court
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has begun deliberating on Hungary and Slovakia’s case against the EU’s refugee relocation quotas, which both countries initially opposed and which allegedly contain a number of procedural errors . EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany on cusp of new defence debate as military spending increases again
Global expenditure on weapons has risen for the second year in a row. Germany has increased its spending and opposition politicians want a new debate about defence. The issue could become crucial in the end-of-year elections. EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘Chancellor Schulz’ will maintain austerity, won’t rule out Grexit
Martin Schulz will not change Germany’s approach to austerity if elected chancellor later this year. Neither has he ruled out Greece leaving the eurozone if reforms are not implemented. EURACTIV Germany reports. The Social Democrat leader and former European Parliament...
German fight against money laundering undermining Africa aspirations
Germany is angling after a partnership with Africa as part of its presidency of the G20. But NGOs warn that Berlin’s fight against money laundering is undermining this goal. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German foreign minister in London to talk Brexit
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel travels to London today (4 April) to break bread with his British opposite number ahead of the upcoming Brexit negotiations. He has already made clear where his priorities lie. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs finalise watered-down update of EU gun law
The European Parliament approved in plenary yesterday (14 March) amendments to the EU’s firearms legislation but the agreed text is a long way from what the European Commission initially had in mind. EURACTIV Germany reports.
US wants bilateral solution to German trade surplus woes
The United States wants to resolve its $65 billion trade deficit with Germany at a bilateral level, without EU involvement. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Vice-versa: European defence and German interests
Germany and the EU: How do they cooperate? Where do their approaches conflict and where are their interests aligned? EURACTIV Germany’s Vice-Versa series takes a look at the issue from both a European and federal government perspective.
International arms trade shoots up to highest level since end of Cold War
Global arms deals have reached their highest level since the end of the Cold War, according to one study. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Munich Security Conference: Start of a post-Western era?
The Western world order as we know it is at risk, according to the annual Munich Security Report. Euractiv Germany reports.
German regions stop sending rejected asylum seekers back to Afghanistan
More and more of Germany's regions are halting the deportation of rejected asylum seekers to Afghanistan, as the situation in the conflict-torn country worsens. Euractiv Germany reports.
EU tools up for cyber war
As the member states rapidly progress in their own personal cyber arms race, the bloc’s institutions risk being left behind. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany votes to ease access to medical marijuana
The German Bundestag today (19 January) unanimously passed legislation granting seriously ill patients easier access to medical marijuana. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU plans first laws on robotics
A European Parliament committee will look Thursday (12 January) at a draft resolution relating to the regulation of robotics. The text could become the basis for the first European legislation on automation and robots. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Firearms Directive dispute continues, no compromise in sight
The supporters and opponents of the EU's weapons law reform are seemingly entrenched in irreconcilable positions. After more than a year of negotiations and talks this week, there is still no agreement on the horizon. EURACTIV Germany reports.
European Defence Union: The return of ‘hard power’
The EU is stepping up its efforts on common defence policy and a "coalition of the willing" could quickly deploy EU troops and promote common defence projects. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Former Barroso Commissioners still enjoying big paydays
Former Commissioners are enjoying fat transitional allowances, even though they may already be working in the private sector or even if their time at the executive was only fleeting, according to German media. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European Parliament tries to tackle human rights abuses abroad
The European Parliament has called for companies that violate human rights to be prosecuted in the future and for products to carry an "abuse free" label. But the vagueness of its proposal has already left plenty of loopholes open. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German weapon sales shoot through the roof
German weapons dealers have seen their exports top €4 billion in the first six months of this year alone. While small weapon sales fell, exports of small arms ammunition reached record highs. EURACTIV Germany reports.
European socialists want better Cuba relations, US remains problematic
The head of the S&D group has called on the EU to quickly implement its agreement with Cuba and has ramped up the pressure on the US to lift its sanctions against the Caribbean nation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Mosul offensive may send ISIS fighters back to Europe
Security Commissioner Julian King told Die Welt (18 October) that the anti-ISIS offensive created an increased risk of attacks in Europe. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière quickly refuted King's claim, saying the threat was already high. EURACTIV Germany reports.