About: Angela Merkel
Leaders clash over stimulus against pandemic, pass hot potato to Eurogroup
EU leaders on Thursday (26 March) continued to disagree over the economic response to the coronavirus as Northern countries rejected the idea of issuing joint debt, known as "corona bonds", proposed by nine member states to finance the recovery.
German parliament suspends debt brake to fight coronavirus outbreak
The German lower house on Wednesday (25 March) suspended the country's constitutionally enshrined debt brake, approving a massive stimulus package by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government to weather the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Merkel goes into quarantine as Germany tightens measures
German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into self-quarantine on Sunday evening (22 March) after being in contact with a doctor who had tested positive for coronavirus, her spokesperson announced shortly after she held a press conference to present the new measures to fight the spread of the epidemic in Germany.
Merkel urges Germans to stay home, no restrictive measures
German Chancellor Angela Merkel used all her political weight in a televised address on Wednesday to call on Germans to respect the containment rules imposed because of the coronavirus, urging them to show solidarity and help counter "the biggest challenge since World War Two".
Erdogan discusses migrant crisis, Syria with Macron, Merkel and Johnson
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday (17 March) discussed the migrant crisis and the situation in Syria's rebel enclave of Idlib, with the leaders of France, Germany and Britain.
Two-thirds of Germans may get coronavirus, Merkel says
Germany will spend what it takes to tackle the coronavirus which is likely to infect up to 70% of the population in Europe's largest economy, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday (11 March).
Merkel: Germany well-equipped against COVID-19
German Chancellor Angela Merkel made her first public statement about the coronavirus epidemic on Wednesday (11 March), saying that financial reserves and good emergency mechanisms make Germany well-prepared. "We will do what is necessary," she added. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germans and Americans ‘worlds apart’ on security issues, new study finds
Although Americans and Germans think transatlantic relations are in slightly better shape than last year, stark differences remain when it comes to defence spending and big power competition, a fresh poll by the US think tank Pew Research Center showed.
Borissov meets Erdogan, gets assurance Bulgaria’s border will stay calm
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov failed on Monday (2 March) in his mediation mission in Ankara which aimed to bring Greece, Turkey and EU leaders to a summit in Sofia to prevent a new refugee crisis in Europe
Tweets of the Week: Coronavirus, Brexit Mandates, Carnival Distaste
Coronavirus lockdown causes pasta distress, what happens next in Brexit is anyone’s guess and a carnival in Flanders fails to impress.
Germany’s Laschet, Merz join Merkel party leadership race
The premier of Germany's most populous state, Armin Laschet, joined the race to lead Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) on Tuesday and won the backing of Health Minister Jens Spahn who had been expected to run himself. A third contender, Friedrich Merz, also announced his candidacy.
Dozens hurt as car ploughs into German carnival parade
A German man ploughed his car into a carnival parade in the western town of Volkmarsen on Monday (24 February), injuring 30 people including children, police said, adding it was too early to say what his motive was.
At EU summit, Merkel and Macron call Putin over Syria crisis
The leaders of Germany and France called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (20 February) to express their concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria’s Idlib region, expressing their readiness to meet in an effort to defuse the conflict.
Pull yourselves together for EU’s sake, German Greens urge CDU
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), embroiled in a leadership crisis, must unite and keep their ruling coalition stable as Germany takes on the rotating European Union presidency this year, Greens leader Annalena Baerbock said on Saturday (15 February).
Berlin to limit sensitive military tenders to German firms
Angela Merkel’s government said on Wednesday (12 February) it would restrict tenders for the procurement of sensitive weapon systems to German companies, a protectionist measure by a chancellor who has come out strongly against such barriers.
German Conservatives vote ‘in unison’ against excluding Huawei from 5G network
After months of discussion, the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) voted against excluding Huawei from Germany's 5G network. Yet, strict criteria to minimise security risks will be imposed, EURACTIV Germany reports.
CDU crisis puts question mark on German EU Presidency
As the new European Commission finally begins its work, it is Berlin's turn to come to a political standstill. It's a problem for Germany but also for the European Union.
Kramp-Karrenbauer to step down as CDU leader
CDU party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is stepping down. Announced during the CDU executive committee meeting on Monday morning (10 February), she has immediately renounced her Chancellor candidacy and intends to give up her position as CDU chair soon.
Austria and Germany: A harmonious couple, at odds on EU issues
Austria's Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (3 February). While the atmosphere was harmonious, the two did not meet eye-to-eye on several EU issues, including the budget and proposals to revive Operation Sophia. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Davos 2020 diary – day #4
Welcome to Davos where the 50th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place on 21-25 January. Throughout the week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into one of the world’s most exclusive conferences where political and business leaders meet every year to discuss global economic trends.
Merkel defends financial crisis management legacy before economic elite in Davos
German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her tough stand and the austere fiscal policy she pursued in response to the financial crisis that shook up the eurozone in 2008 as she addressed the World Economic Forum on Thursday (23 January).
Don’t shun China, urges Merkel at American prize ceremony
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday (21 January) urged Western global powers to include China in their multilateral system and treat Beijing equally rather than freeze it out and risk slipping into a Cold War-style bipolar order.
EU sidelined as Berlin summit thrashes out shaky Libya ceasefire
World powers at a Berlin Conference on Sunday (19 January), attended by the main backers of the rival Libyan factions, committed to end military support for the civil war parties and uphold an existing UN arms embargo.