About: Martin Schulz
European elections in the era of disruption
To some extent the vote next May will be a test of the resilience of the forces of disruption, the main achievement of whom so far being Brexit, writes Geoffrey Harris.
Merkel’s future in Social Democratic hands as party vote starts
Members of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) began voting yesterday (20 February) on whether to enter a new coalition with Angela Merkel's conservatives, a postal ballot which could scupper the chancellor's chances of a fourth term in office.
Schulz resigns in bid to calm party ahead of coalition deal vote
German Social Democratic leader (SPD) Martin Schulz resigned on Tuesday (13 February), hoping to end turbulence that has rocked the centre-left party since it agreed a coalition deal with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.
Scholz likely to succeed Schäuble as German finance minister
Unemotional, pragmatic and very, very self-confident: Hamburg's still-mayor could become a formative figure of the German grand coalition. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.
Merkel, SPD face new criticism over German coalition deal
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) faced further criticism on Monday (12 February) from within their own parties over a new coalition deal that must still be approved by disgruntled SPD rank-and-file members.
Merkel defends coalition concessions, says ‘younger people’ needed in government
Angela Merkel on Sunday defended "painful" concessions she has made to the Social Democrats (SPD) to win a fourth term as German chancellor and said criticism among her conservatives was not a sign her authority was waning.
German coalition agreement: A document of distrust
CDU/CSU and SPD are laying their policies down to the last detail. SPD chairman Martin Schulz gives up his party lead to Andrea Nahles. But will this be enough for the SPD party base to agree in the vote on the agreement? A commentary from EURACTIV Germany’s media partner "Der Tagesspiegel.”
German coalition deal: Reactions range between restraint and scepticism
“Tired, but satisfied,” the SPD negotiating team tweeted after an agreement on the new German government coalition was reached at noon on Wednesday. But the details of the deal might dissatisfy the party's base. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German coalition agreement: No breakthrough for Europe yet
After a week of talks, German coalition negotiators agreed on the cornerstones of their new programme. But when a new government could actively participate in meaningful EU reform is still uncertain. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German parties to tackle labour, healthcare in extra round of coalition talks
Negotiators for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) will try on Monday (5 February) to hammer out compromises on healthcare and labour policy - the final stumbling blocks in the way of another 'grand coalition'.
German parties agree on climate as coalition talks progress
Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives agreed on climate targets for 2030 with their would-be Social Democrat (SPD) partners, who also announced steady progress on European policy in coalition talks which they aim to conclude within a week.
Family reunion for refugees complicates German coalition talks
The leader of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) played down hopes yesterday (29 January) for swift progress in coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, an SPD source said, amid continued disagreement over several issues including refugees.
The final straight: Party leaders launch German coalition talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives open coalition talks with their Social Democrat (SPD) partners on Friday (26 September), four months after the September election that left Europe's largest economy in an unprecedented state of political limbo.
Germany’s SPD warily backs formal coalition talks with Merkel
Germany's centre-left Social Democrats voted Sunday (21 January) to begin formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, bringing Europe's top economy a step closer to a new government after months of deadlock.
The race to succeed Juncker begins
With the next European Parliament elections just over a year away, the guessing games and rumour mills about who will helm the EU institutions into the next decade have already fired up. EURACTIV Germany’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
German parties offer first response to Macron on Europe
Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats pledged today (12 January) to work closely with France to strengthen the euro zone, in their first substantive response to President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious EU reform proposals.
Merkel warns of ‘big obstacles’ in final push for new government
Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany's top parties still had "big obstacles" to surmount before reaching a new coalition deal, ahead of a last-ditch round of negotiations yesterday (11 January).
Why Macron closely watches the German coalition talks
French President Emmanuel Macron's EU reform ideas are a central issue between CDU, CSU and SPD while discussing European affairs in the German coalition talks. For Macron, the outcome might be of crucial importance for realising his plans. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner “Der Tagesspiegel” reports.
German coalition talks: ‘Speed-dating’ for old partners
Five days have been scheduled for exploratory talks between the CDU, CSU and SPD to negotiate the formation of a new German government. In case there is a common declaration at the end of the negotiation marathon, it nevertheless is still unclear, if the parties will agree to form a government coalition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Cornered Merkel seeks to revive ‘grand coalition’
Chancellor Angela Merkel is optimistic her conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) can cut a deal, she said yesterday (7 January) as the parties began five days of talks about reviving the 'grand coalition' that has governed Germany since 2013.
Poll: Martin Schulz’s popularity hits historical low
Social Democrat Martin Schulz's popularity dropped nine percentage points since last month to 30 percent below his predecessor in the leadership of SPD Sigmar Gabriel, according to a new poll.
Macron’s new leadership role in Europe
Seven months after his election, Emmanuel Macron has established himself as a force on the world stage. While some see in him the new "leader of Europe", the Franco-German tandem remains remains crucial to implement his ideas. EURACTIV Germany's media partner "Der Tagesspiegel" reports.
German conservatives reject ‘United States of Europe’ ahead of coalition talks
Senior members of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on Saturday (9 December) rejected the vision for a "United States of Europe" put forward by the Social Democrats (SPD), with whom they are hoping to form a governing coalition.