The Latest Breaking News from Friedrich Merz

Backing of Greens is tantamount to approval of chancellor-in-waiting’s proposal to relax debt brake

Italian banking giant UniCredit said Friday it had secured approval from the European Central Bank to buy up to 29.9 percent of Commerzbank, opening the door to a possible takeover of its German rival.

The defence ministers of Europe's five major powers—France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Italy—convened in Paris and reached broad consensus on the necessity of strengthening Ukraine's long-term security by enhancing its armed forces. Meanwhile, Germany's Chancellor-elect, Friedrich Merz, is in discussions with MPs regarding a significant increase in defence…

Germany's likely next leader Friedrich Merz said Thursday urgent action was needed to boost the country's under-resourced military and ailing economy, as he defended plans for a spending bonanza during a fiery parliamentary debate.

‘What more do you want from us?’ asks chancellor-in-waiting as he seeks urgent support for fiscal rule changes

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall said Wednesday moves by European capitals to up their defences and reduce their reliance on the United States were an unprecedented growth opportunity for the group.

Germany’s Greens say they won't support the prospective next government’s plans to loosen debt rules for defense spending and draw up a huge infrastructure investment fund

But Friedrich Merz cautions such a move could not replace the US’s existing protective shield over Europe

Germany is home to the largest number of asylum seekers among the EU member states. But a growing political shift to the right has put increasing pressure on these new arrivals – and those who provide services for them.

UK appears to be out of US eyeline for now but it would not be immune to slowdown triggered by rising tariffs

Even Berlin and Brussels are bending fiscal rules in the face of Russia’s threat. Will the chancellor still stick to hers?