About: Germany
SEDE rapporteur: EU badly needs common rules, transparency in arms export
The EU is currently the second-largest arms supplier in the world, after the US and before Russia, and a new European Parliament report by MEP Hannah Neumann (Greens) is set to urge the Commission and member states to address concerns over the lack of transparency and common arms export rules across the bloc.
China: One of Germany’s EU presidency priorities
EU-China relations will be one of Germany's EU presidency priorities in foreign policy matters, with an overall objective of "strengthening Europe as an anchor of stability in the world," said Chancellor Angela Merkel. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Seehofer testifies before committee investigating the ‘toll debacle’
On Thursday (28 May), German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) testified before the investigative committee tasking with deciding on the responsibility for the government's 'toll debacle,' which could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of euros.
Germany calls in Russian envoy, seeks sanctions over hacking
Germany's foreign ministry on Thursday (28 May) called in the Russian ambassador to discuss possible sanctions over a 2015 hacking attack on the German parliament, in an escalating diplomatic row.
Recovery fund brings EU one step closer to fiscal union
A European Commission plan to issue large amounts of common EU bonds under a coronavirus recovery fund potentially marks the first step towards the euro zone finally getting a region-wide safe-haven asset, investors said.
EU must play global role in virus crisis, says Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday (27 May) said the European Union should take more global responsibility in the coronavirus crisis, especially as ties with the United States were currently "difficult".
Lufthansa board baulks at EU bailout terms
The board of German airline Lufthansa refused to accept the conditions of a €9 billion aid package on Wednesday (27 May), citing the European Commission's reported requirement that the carrier give up some airport slots at two of its major hubs.
Taming the ‘Frugal Four’: the challenge facing the German Presidency
The European Commission has presented its proposal for a recovery fund as part of the draft EU budget. Now the member states must be convinced, a task that will fall on Berlin when Germany takes over the EU Council Presidency in July, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Ryanair challenges Lufthansa’s bailout package
Low-cost carrier Ryanair challenged Germany's €9 billion rescue package for Lufthansa on Tuesday (26 May), saying it distorted competition, while the German carrier moves towards finalising the deal next month.
German states claim sole responsibility for coronavirus regulation, sidelining federal government
At the weekend, the leader of Thuringia announced plans to end coronavirus restrictions in the eastern German state and replace them with local measures. Saxony voiced its support for the idea, while other states quickly condemned the move, possibly heralding the end the country's relatively harmonious federal coronavirus cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany prepares to open up to 31 European countries on 15 June
The German government wants to end a travel warning for tourist trips to 31 European countries from 15 June if the coronavirus situation allows, magazine Focus on Tuesday (26 May) cited dpa news agency as reporting.
Future of Europe Conference: Part of Germany’s EU Presidency agenda?
This year's Europe Day should have been the starting point for the conference on the Future of Europe, but the coronavirus pandemic has put the project on the backburner. Could Germany's EU Presidency give new impetus to the initiative? EURACTIV Germany reports.
First Dieselgate ruling by Germany’s top court set to flag legal clarity
Germany's Federal High Court (BGH) will announce later on Monday (25 May) its first ruling in the Dieselgate emissions scandal, which is set to guide other courts and have a major impact on the entire auto industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.
‘Frugal Four’ present counter-plan to Macron-Merkel EU recovery scheme
The "Frugal Four" (Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden) presented their own draft for an EU recovery fund in a 'non-paper' sent to the EU capitals on Saturday (23 May). The most important point: aid money must be repaid. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Debate to relocate US nuclear weapons to Poland irks Russia
Some US officials are eyeing Poland as a new home to the US nuclear arsenal in Europe, after German Social Democrats reopened the debate about whether the country should remain under Washington’s protective nuclear umbrella. And the latest twist has already displeased Russia, Poland's mighty eastern neighbour.
Germany still hesitating to link stimulus packages with climate targets
France, the Netherlands and Austria want to put environmentally friendly conditions on aid for corporations. In Germany, companies themselves are calling for a climate stimulus package, yet Economy Minister Peter Altmaier is hesitating. EURACTIV Germany reports.
One-third of animal species in Germany in bad shape, says new government report
One day before the European Commission unveils its new biodiversity strategy, Germany presented its national nature report, which stressed that while some populations are recovering, insects are now in very bad shape. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Breakthrough in Germany’s wind and solar energy dispute
Germany's grand coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) on Monday (18 May) agreed on the abolition of the solar cap and an "opt-out solution" for a standard distance for wind turbines. This is a decisive milestone for the expansion of renewable energy in Germany, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germans more estranged from the US due to COVID-19, new poll finds
Negative feelings towards the United States in Germany are growing quickly in the pandemic era, according to a new poll, which also indicated a shift in public opinion towards Beijing.
AfD expels Brandenburg leader for concealing ties to nationalist group
The leadership of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party on Friday (15 May), expelled Brandenburg's AfD leader Andreas Kalbitz after Kalbitz was classified as a right-wing extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in early March. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Free trade and Mercosur on the agenda for the German EU Presidency
The resumption of negotiations on the controversial Mercosur agreement and trade policy with the United States are among the priorities of the German EU Council Presidency. This is unlikely to please other member states. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany denies Nord Stream 2 pipeline waiver of EU rules
Germany’s energy regulator on Friday (15 May) declined to grant a waiver of European Union gas directives to the operators of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, dealing a fresh blow to the project to carry gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
Germany must become climate-neutral by 2038, says government advisory council
The German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) presented on Thursday (14 May) its report on the state of the country's environmental policy. With Germany's carbon budget now almost exhausted, researchers urge stronger climate action in all areas. EURACTIV Germany reports.