The Latest Breaking News from the Social Democrats

German election winner Friedrich Merz’s party has approved an agreement to form a coalition government with a center-left rival

While Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is already plagued by criticism and sinking poll numbers at home, his EU partners are eagerly awaiting him on the Brussels scene. They expect him to replace the dullness of his predecessor with strong leadership - and Merz is willing to deliver.

The Dail is debating a confidence motion in Ceann Comhairle (speaker) Verona Murphy.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has accused the opposition of trying to bully and intimidate Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

The opposition criticised video footage of Michael Lowry making a gesture to a TD as the Dail was adjourned.

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

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

The lifelong Atlanticist was frank after his election victory: Nato is on the brink, and Germany must reassess its core beliefs on defence, says Jörg Lau, international correspondent for Die Zeit

After a humbling election defeat for Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democrats (SPD), the party looked to collect itself on Monday in preparation for a potential new role as the junior partner in a conservative-led government.