Starmer’s team has been courting closer relations with Berlin since they were in opposition, particularly on defense and security, which was the focus of a separate agreement signed last October. An ally of the German chancellor said that he was keen to put a “personal face” on the U.K.- German relationship. However, the date of…
For months since the return of US President Donald Trump, there has been a roaring trade in papers and speeches about how to make Europe a truly independent geopolitical player. The term “strategic autonomy”, championed by the French government during Trump’s first term, is back in vogue. But the independence movement was on the ropes…
China on Monday said it was eager to continue working with the federal government of Germany to consolidate and develop bilateral ties following Friedrich Merz’s win in Sunday’s Bundestag election. “Given the significant global influence of Germany and the European Union, China would like to see them play important roles in global affairs, and support…
The winner of Germany’s election, conservative Friedrich Merz, on Monday reiterated his calls for strict border controls that would turn away asylum seekers trying to enter the country. Merz, the leader of the centre-right CDU/CSU bloc, stressed the controversial policy demand ahead of expected coalition talks with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). Merz is now…
19 February 2025, Berlin: Visitors walk in front of the German flag in the dome of the Bundestag. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images As a new chapter in German politics begins following the federal election at the weekend, there’s a distinct feeling of déjà vu in Berlin as a center-right alliance prepares…
Supporters hold up signs reading “Chancellor” and “Merz” during the final campaign event of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union party in Munich, on Feb. 22, 2025. Alexandra Beier | Afp | Getty Images The conservative alliance made up by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) is set to…
Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz is set to lead the nation after his party, Christian Democratic Union, bagged the biggest vote share in the country’s general elections, defeating Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany. Friedrich Merz speaks at the party headquarters, after the exit poll results are announced for the 2025 general…
By Wayne Cole SYDNEY (Reuters) – European shares steadied on Monday as Germany’s election produced no nasty surprise, while Wall Street futures firmed on hopes results from AI diva Nvidia this week would justify the tech sector’s sky-high valuations. DAX futures firmed 0.2%, while EUROSTOXX 50 futures were flat. The euro edged 0.3% higher to…
The results from Germany’s most consequential election in a generation are still coming in, but Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU is projected to win the biggest share of the vote and the most seats in the new Bundestag. In a post on social media — written entirely in capital letters — Trump did not mention either…
When Ulrich Ackermann started working for the German machinery industry in 1986, the country’s watchmaking sector had been eaten up by Japanese competition. Advanced equipment makers were sure they were next. “The watch industry almost completely disappeared from Germany, and there was a fear that this could also happen to the machinery industry. That hasn’t…