About: Angela Merkel
Serbia eyes Kosovo border review, opposed by Merkel
Serbia's political life is heating up in August as discussions about its relations with Kosovo have reached frantic speed, varying from a possible partition of its former province to exchange of territory and border changes.
Germany’s Seehofer pushes migrant take-back deal with Italy, Greece
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer on Sunday (5 August) said he hoped for a breakthrough this week in talks with Italy and Greece on taking back asylum-seekers already registered in those countries, as Berlin toughens its migration policies.
Germany lifts ban on reunions for refugees, rekindles integration debate
Germany on Wednesday (1 August) resumed family reunifications for some refugees, drawing ire from leftist groups who said a cap of 1,000 people a month was too little and a far-right party opposed to immigration altogether.
Opposition parties blast Merkel over secretive meeting with Russian officials
German opposition parties have criticised Chancellor Angela Merkel for not providing more detail of her discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the head of Russia’s military general staff Valery Gerasimov.
Catholic Church tells CSU to show Christian values in immigration policy
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies, who are pressing her to toughen up immigration policy, should remember their Christian roots and show a sense of responsibility towards the poor and weak, the head of the Catholic Church in Germany said.
Turkey and the migration crisis: a positive example for the Transatlantic community
Supposedly illiberal Turkey has set a powerful and positive example for upholding one of the most central of humanitarian values: providing shelter, opportunity, and hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, writes Matthew Bryza.
EU makes another attempt to press Ukraine to fight corruption
EU leaders used the 20th EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday (9 July) to press the country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, once again to take credible steps to fight rampant corruption.
Major risks apprehended over Trump’s Brussels, Helsinki visits
With a NATO summit in Brussels on 11-12 July and a tête-à-tête with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, this week will give Donald Trump a chance to elaborate on that surprising diplomatic doctrine, but only at the risk of further fueling tensions with the country's already deeply unsettled allies.
German firms promised ‘Marshall Plan’ tax breaks for African projects
Germany plans to use public money to support companies which invest in Africa, part of a new "Marshall Plan" with which it hopes to tackle the roots of the refugee crisis that has convulsed European politics since 2015.
Tweets of the Week: Merkel vs. Seehofer, EU Parliament Plenary and the Copyright vote
This week, proper migration solution still a pipe-dream, angry interpreters let off some steam, and the Parliament copyright vote saves the meme… for now.
Merkel’s migration plot thickens as Social Democrats, EU neighbours weigh in
A migrant policy deal struck by Chancellor Angela Merkel to save the German government drew scepticism on Tuesday (3 July) from her Social Democrat coalition partners, who said more talks and work were needed to make the disputed proposal fly.
Merkel settles migration row with Bavarian ally
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives settled a row over migration that threatened to topple her fragile governing coalition late on Monday evening after talks with her rebellious interior minister led him to drop his threat to resign.
CSU’s Seehofer offers to stand down over border bans
The leader of Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies, the CSU, offered to step down from his ministerial role and party leadership during a fiery closed-door meeting on Sunday ( 1 July).
Trans-Europe Express – Indomitable, but for how long?
One region in Germany, that of the indomitable CSU-Bavarians, is holding out. In Bavaria, Markus Söder is brewing up the magic potion and he is setting forth to repel the invaders from non-EU countries. And to do so, he does not...
EU summit approves tortured conclusions on migration after sleepless night
EU leaders reached a much-needed deal on steps to tackle migration after resolving a bitter row with Italy's inexperienced prime minister. Extended talks lasted through the night and only wrapped up on Friday morning (29 June).
The Brief – Bye bye Mannschaft
Let’s not pretend, we all watched the Germany game yesterday, in Berlaymont, in offices, in nearby pubs. At least the shocking end, Mannschaft’s first group stage exit from a World Cup in 70 years, which aroused considerable interest around the globe.
Germany optimistic about EU lifeline for Merkel, bilateral deals on migration
German officials hope to win support from other European Union states for deals on managing the further travel of refugees already on the bloc's territory – arrangements that could throw a lifeline to embattled Chancellor Angela Merkel.
NGO ship docks in Malta after seven countries pledge to take migrants
A humanitarian ship that has had about 230 rescued migrants on board for almost a week docked in Malta yesterday (27 June), ending a stand-off with Italy which refused to let the ship into one of its ports.
Migration set to overshadow eurozone reform debate at EU summit
The political crises in Germany and Italy are European and revolve around the debate on migration, which is set to overshadow other issues during the European Council in Brussels, on 28-29 June. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Tsipras to bail out Merkel on refugees
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is ready to sign a deal with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to make it easier for Germany to send asylum seekers back to other European countries, the Financial Times reported yesterday (27 June).
Hoping for EU help, Merkel talks migration with coalition partners
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Spanish counterpart agreed yesterday (26 June) to cooperate on migrant policy, saying a European approach was the only way forward as her Bavarian allies pile pressure on her to deliver a deal this week.
The Brief – Desperately seeking cohesion
In a non-legislative resolution, MEPs urged EU countries on Monday (25 June) to make sure that providing humanitarian help to migrants is not treated as a crime. The mere fact that they felt obliged to do so speaks volumes about where Europe is today.
Eurozone reform: CDU split over Merkel’s plans
Parts of the German CDU party are highly critical of the joint reform plans proposed by their own Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. Her projects for the eurozone are the "wrong signal", they say. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner “WirtschaftsWoche” reports.