Friedrich Merz
Pick for German agriculture minister withdraws after activists storm farm
Günther Felßner says wife was ‘in fear of life and limb’ after animal rights group climbed shed and set off flares
Ajit Niranjan in Berlin
26, Mar, 2025 @4:00 PM
German parliament sits for first time with AfD as second biggest party
Far right party doubles its number of seats, while chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, hopes to form government before Easter
Ajit Niranjan in Berlin
25, Mar, 2025 @5:00 AM
Europe is crying out for leadership. After years of drift, Germany is finally ready to answer | John Kampfner
A historic vote to boost spending on defence and infrastructure shows the country is shedding its excess of caution – and its complacency, says author John Kampfner
John Kampfner
21, Mar, 2025 @5:00 AM
The Guardian view on Germany’s new coalition: unleashing the radical centre | Editorial
Editorial: A groundbreaking vote by outgoing MPs has given the chancellor-elect, Friedrich Merz, the chance to renew mainstream politics
Editorial
19, Mar, 2025 @6:42 PM
How every German MP voted on reforming the debt brake
German MPs have voted to pass a motion to loosen the country’s strict borrowing rules, altering the constitution. The measure had been proposed by Friedrich Merz, the presumptive incoming chancellor, in the outgoing Bundestag, or federal parliament
Seán Clarke
18, Mar, 2025 @5:55 PM
German MPs approve €500bn spending boost to counter ‘Putin’s war of aggression’
Historic levels of spending on military and infrastructure secured in Bundestag with last-minute backing of Greens
Kate Connolly in Berlin
18, Mar, 2025 @3:52 PM
Bundestag prepares to vote on historic borrowing package in key test for Merz
Likely next chancellor needs two-thirds majority to back €500bn infrastructure fund and relaxation of debt rules
Kate Connolly in Berlin
18, Mar, 2025 @5:00 AM
‘Germany is back’: Merz secures Greens’ support for defence spend boost
Backing of Greens is tantamount to approval of chancellor-in-waiting’s proposal to relax debt brake
Kate Connolly in Berlin
14, Mar, 2025 @3:29 PM
Merz presses Greens to name their terms for German defence spending rise
‘What more do you want from us?’ asks chancellor-in-waiting as he seeks urgent support for fiscal rule changes
Kate Connolly in Berlin
13, Mar, 2025 @5:09 PM
The Guardian view on Ursula von der Leyen’s first 100 days: the steepest of learning curves | Editorial
Editorial: The European Commission president has had a tumultuous beginning to her second term. Going forward, she should channel the spirit of Jacques Delors
Editorial
10, Mar, 2025 @6:25 PM
Germany to reach out to France and UK over sharing of nuclear weapons
But Friedrich Merz cautions such a move could not replace the US’s existing protective shield over Europe
Kate Connolly in Berlin
09, Mar, 2025 @5:04 PM
‘Military Keynesianism’? Reeves faces British defence dilemma after EU spending surge
Even Berlin and Brussels are bending fiscal rules in the face of Russia’s threat. Will the chancellor still stick to hers?
Richard Partington Economics correspondent
09, Mar, 2025 @8:00 AM
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