About: Germany
Germany tells US to ‘mind its own business’ over Nord Stream 2
Germany on Thursday (12 December) warned Washington to mind its own business after US lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill that would sanction contractors working on a Russian pipeline to Germany. The EU also opposed sanctions against ‘companies doing...
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid (part 3)
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: Badges taken away, German satisfaction, French absence, and fighting in Tokyo.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid (part 2)
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: ambition, carbon pricing, dunce cap, and getting mad for climate.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: train ride, ray of the day, reality check-point, and climate finance big time.
New SPD leadership on its way to challenge Germany’s Grand Coalition
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) officially elected Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans as the new chairmen at a national conference on Friday (6 December). There was no vote about remaining in the Grand Coalition with the CDU/CSU conservatives, but the new leadership appears to have 'declared war' on them. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German football club on a mission to defend the climate
With thousands of fans travelling to matches and giant stadiums being built, football has a considerable climate impact. Some clubs are increasingly aware of this and try to limit their carbon emissions. A club from the small city of Mainz has been leading the movement for a decade.
Ministers set to advance Eurozone reform amid political turmoil in Italy and Germany
EU ministers gather Wednesday (4 December) in a bid to chart progress on the Eurozone reform ahead of the EU Council summit next week. However, recent political developments in Rome and Berlin may hinder talks on the matter.
German government seeks to boost dialogue with disgruntled farmers
Following the ongoing protests by farmers in recent months, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner (CDU) were invited to attend an agricultural summit yesterday (2 December). They intend to reinforce dialogue with the agricultural sector, once again. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Will Germany’s sheep farming industry die out?
Since the German government abolished the mother sheep premium in 2005, shepherds have been suffering financially. But given that 22 other EU member states still award such a premium and since Germany could reintroduce such a bonus at any given time, shepherds continue to protest. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French insurer AXA vows to stop insuring fossil fuel-dependant companies
The French insurance company AXA has announced its own plan to help phase out coal production in Europe by 2030, under which it would no longer be insuring companies that are too dependent on fossil fuels. According to NGOs, this plan has "no blind spots". EURACTIV France reports.
Germany pledges to raise military spending, play more active role in NATO
Germany has pledged to play a more active role in NATO with Chancellor Angela Merkel promising to raise military spending to 2% of the country’s GDP by the beginning of the 2030s. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Paris, Berlin divided over nuclear’s recognition as green energy
Disagreement on the inclusion of nuclear power in the EU’s upcoming green finance taxonomy has revived long-standing divisions between France and Germany over the energy transition. EURACTIV France reports.
40,000 farmers on tractors block Berlin in protest at new agricultural policy
Tens of thousands of farmers protested in Berlin on Tuesday (26 November) against the government's new agricultural policy. They complained about increasing environmental protection requirements and falling product prices, which are increasingly damaging their business. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel’s future in balance as SPD picks new leaders
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's political future hangs in the balance as her floundering coalition partners, the SPD, elect new leaders on Saturday.
German farmers will ‘have to declare bankruptcy’ if CAP direct payments are capped
From 2021, the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is intended to be more closely linked to environmental requirements. But this could lead to large conventional farms facing existential threats. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Land speculation squeezes out young farmers in East Germany
In East Germany, young farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase land because significant investors are not acquiring land for agricultural purposes and because former GDR cooperatives are being privatised. EURACTIV Germany reports.
CDU politician calls for better Franco-German ties after NATO row
Germany and France must bury their differences and pursue a constructive partnership with concrete ideas, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after a public spat between the two European Union heavyweights over NATO.
Altmaier’s planned ‘turbine-free zones’ could halve Germany’s wind energy potential
Proposals to introduce a minimum distance of 1,000 metres between wind turbines and buildings have attracted fierce criticism from the German environment ministry, which said the draft new rules would derail the country's plan to boost renewable energy by 2030. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Does Germany depend too much on China?
While US President Donald Trump is taking aggressive action against China's trade policy, the German government is reluctant to comment on the recent events in Hong Kong because the German economy needs China. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Merkel ignores calls for bigger fiscal stimulus
German chancellor Angela Merkel resisted calls to increase public spending as pressure continues to grow from her country and abroad to avoid the austerity that worsened the euro crisis.
Russia returns captured ships to Ukraine, paving road to ‘Normandy’ summit
Russia will return three captured naval ships to Ukraine on Monday and is moving them to a handover location agreed with Kyiv, Crimea's border guard service was cited as saying by Russian news agencies on Sunday (17 November).
German ministers urge EU to lead the way at COP25 in Madrid
At a Berlin conference to prepare for the UN's annual climate summit (COP25), Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed the EU's responsibility in closing the Paris Climate Agreement's remaining gaps, particularly by raising the targets at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU bank brokers late-night deal to phase out fossil fuels
The European Investment Bank (EIB) decided on Thursday (14 November) to end financial support for fossil fuels from 2021, after marathon talks ended in a compromise that has been hailed as “a significant victory” for green policies.