About: Markus Söder

Germany rules out prolonging its nuclear power plants

Berlin has ruled out an extension for the runtime of its nuclear fleet, in spite of concerns over the energy supply following threats to stop supplying gas to Germany and the calls for an embargo on Russian energy commodities.

Berlin looks for alternatives as German gas storage hits record lows

Germany has begun searching for alternative gas suppliers in the event that imports from Russia are interrupted due to tensions in Ukraine.

Germany’s CDU backs Laschet for chancellor candidate after bruising spat

Armin Laschet, the leader of Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) has won the backing of his party to run as the conservative chancellor candidate to succeed Angela Merkel at the September election. The move comes after rival Markus Söder, who leads...

German regional polls key stress test for Merkel successor

Two German states are set to vote on Sunday in regional elections seen as a bellwether for September's national poll as Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) continue to reel from a mask procurement scandal that could prove the party's undoing.

Strong public support for CDU/CSU, but questions remain on Merkel’s successor

Around three months after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, public approval of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and confidence in Chancellor Angela Merkel remain high.  Nevertheless, Merkel is still ruling out a fifth term in office. So how does it look for her potential successors? EURACTIV Germany reports.

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 eases restrictions further, with an emergency brake

After negotiations with regional prime ministers, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that contact restrictions in Germany would be extended until 5 June, but in a relaxed form. States will have more authority in loosening restrictions, but an emergency brake could be activated at any time, if necessary.

COVID-19 crisis boosts support for Laschet/Spahn in CDU leadership race

A special CDU party conference was originally scheduled for this week, but the election of the new chair of the biggest German conservative party has been postponed indefinitely. According to current polls, Armin Laschet can especially profit from the current crisis. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany extends COVID-19 restrictions, but announces relaxation of some measures

People in Germany will have to live with the strict contact restrictions until at least 3 May. This was agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the 16 state premiers in Berlin on Wednesday (15 April). However, the German government also announced its initial plans to ease the restrictions. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Bavarian, Austrian conservatives frown at Orbán’s call to ally with populists

The leaders of Austria and Bavaria rejected on Friday (3 May) a call by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for their centre-right group in the European Parliament to ally with populist, nationalist parties ahead of EU elections later this month.

Bavarian elections stability test for Merkel’s grand coalition

The Christian Social Union (CSU), German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s sister party, has lost its absolute majority in Sunday’s (14 October) state elections, in another defeat for the fragile German “grand coalition”. “Of course today is not an easy day for...

Strong reactions in Germany against eurozone reform

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s opponents from left and right have contested the recently signed agreement between France and Germany for the creation of a budget for the euro area in 2021. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Markus Söder: EU-Turkey deal could trigger Kurdish exodus to Germany

A prominent figure in the Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc said on Sunday (20 March) that a deal between the European Union and Turkey to halt illegal immigration to Europe could lead to Kurds heading to Germany en masse.