About: Angela Merkel
Differences between Merkel and Macron are slight but real
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave their views on Europe in their concluding remarks at the end of the European Council Summit on Friday 18 October. Although they attempted to show a united front on EU issues, differences persisted. EURACTIV France reports.
France and Germany ink compromise on arms export rules
After struggling to find a common line on arms exports, Paris and Berlin reached a compromise on Wednesday (16 October) during a bilateral ministerial meeting in the French city of Toulouse.
France halts EU enlargement
France blocked the opening of accession talks with North Macedonia on Tuesday (15 October), despite the promise made by the EU to Skopje that its historic name deal with Greece, the Prespa agreement, would earn it a ticket to EU membership negotiations.
Ukraine sees hope for ‘last chance’ peace summit in mid-November
The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany could hold a summit in Paris in mid-November if Kyiv and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine can maintain a ceasefire, Ukraine’s foreign minister said on Monday (14 October), warning of a “last chance” for Moscow.
Macron plays appeasement card after Goulard’s rejection
After an initial outburst, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to ease tensions on Sunday (13 October) following the rejection last week of his protégée Sylvie Goulard as France's candidate for the European Commission. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron, Merkel call for end to Turkish invasion in Syria
The leaders of France and Germany called Sunday (13 October) for an end to Turkey's offensive against Kurds in northern Syria, warning of dire humanitarian consequences and a boost for the Islamic State group.
Britain’s Brexit talks with EU on verge of collapse
Brexit talks between Britain and the European Union teetered on the brink of collapse on Tuesday (8 October), with tit-for-tat claims of intransigence and sabotage before an end of October deadline.
Germany’s conservative interior minister now a ‘refugee saviour’
Today, Germany's conservative interior minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) is travelling to Athens to prevent a situation like the 2015 refugee crisis to happen again. He is using the opportunity to work on his image as a 'problem-solver' and is even seeking Turkey's help. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Germany and Netherlands sign joint declaration of intent on energy transition
Following the Dutch government's Berlin visit on Wednesday (2 October), Germany and the Netherlands signed a joint declaration of intent laying out a common energy transition plan, as well as closer cooperation in the areas of defence and asylum policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Trump slammed EU over lack of support for Ukraine, Zelenskiy agreed ‘1000%’
In a July telephone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Donald Trump attacked European countries for failing to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, a transcript showed Wednesday (25 September).
What else does Merkel want?
Following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's appearance in the Bundestag debate on Wednesday (11 September), it seems clear that she will not change. And this is not such a bad thing. EURACTIV's partner der Tagesspiegel comments.
Boris Johnson starts the long Brexit campaign
August is typically the month when Westminster goes silent and lawmakers go on holiday, leaving reporters to fall back on stories about the holiday plans of the royal family. This summer, with the Brexit date approaching fast, has been much more hectic.
Johnson to hold Brexit talks with Macron after Merkel offers glimmer of hope
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Paris on Thursday (22 August), a day after Berlin offered a glimmer of hope that an agreement could be reached to avoid a chaotic "no deal" Brexit.
Johnson, Merkel to face off in first Brexit talks
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Berlin on Wednesday (21 August) to kick off a marathon of tense talks with key European and international leaders as the threat of a chaotic no-deal Brexit looms.
Merkel meets Orban on Iron Curtain anniversary amid new divides
German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalled the importance of a "humane" Europe Monday (19 August) as she took part in commemorations in Hungary to mark the 30th anniversary of a pivotal moment in the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
Merkel’s favoured successor to become defence minister
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's favoured successor and the head of her CDU party will become the country's next defence minister, an official statement said Tuesday (16 July), after Ursula von der Leyen was elected European Commission president.
Merkel sits during anthems after shaking spells
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday insisted she took care of her health after remaining seated during national anthems at an official ceremony, in a rare change of protocol apparently to prevent a repeat of uncontrollable shaking.
Tusk in Osaka: EU closer on top jobs, but ‘no white smoke’
President Donald Tusk said Friday (28 June) the EU was "closer" to finding a compromise over the bloc's top jobs but an immediate breakthrough should not be expected ahead of a crunch Brussels summit.
Concerns as Merkel suffers new trembling spell on eve of G20
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office sought to calm nerves after she suffered a second bout of uncontrolled trembling in just over a week, saying the veteran leader was en route to Osaka on Thursday (27 June) as planned for the G20 summit.
What is making the power struggle for EU top jobs so complicated
Five top EU posts need to be distributed soon. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel is fighting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the European Parliament is wrestling with the European Council. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel provides a Q & A on the issue.
Germany’s CDU fears loss of influence following Weber mess
German tensions over Manfred Weber's candidacy for the European Commission presidency are deeply rooted in Germany's national politics. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Treaty against democracy: Franco-German arm wrestling reflects different political visions
The opposition between France and Germany over the appointment of the new European Commission president reflects their radically different political views. For France, the treaty and the best candidate matter the most, while for Germany, the priority is democracy. EURACTIV France reports.
Merkel says she’s ‘fine’ after trembling spell
German Chancellor Angela Merkel dismissed concerns about her health after visibly trembling at an official ceremony Tuesday (18 June), saying she was just a bit dehydrated in the heat.