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Friedrich Merz

Man Fined €4,500 for Hugging German Chancellor Scholz

The middle-aged man slipped past Olaf Scholz's bodyguards and gave Germany's Federal Chancellor a hug. But you don't do that unpunished – the 50-year-old has now been fined 4,500 euros (50,000 kronor).

Man Fined €4,500 for Hugging German Chancellor Scholz

Trump Pauses Tariffs for 90 Days to Boost Trade Talks with EU

The USA is pausing tariffs for 90 days for countries that have not introduced retaliatory tariffs against the country, writes President Donald Trump on Truth Social. According to the White House, the pause is "universal" and thus also applies to the EU.

Trump Pauses Tariffs for 90 Days to Boost Trade Talks with EU

Global Dynamics Speed Up German Coalition Formation

Just over six weeks after the German election, a coalition agreement is in place. That it went so fast can be due to the global situation, says political scientist Maria Thürk.

Global Dynamics Speed Up German Coalition Formation

Germany's New Coalition Looks to Sweden for Defense Inspiration

The German Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed on a coalition agreement. The way is thus clear for Friedrich Merz to become Germany's next Federal Chancellor.

Germany's New Coalition Looks to Sweden for Defense Inspiration

German Coalition Talks Near Conclusion as CDU/CSU and SPD Finalize Details

The German government talks are very close to a solution, report German TV channels. CDU/CSU and SPD are said to be only details away from an agreement on a coalition government.

German Coalition Talks Near Conclusion as CDU/CSU and SPD Finalize Details

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

The German Federal Council has approved constitutional amendments that open up for loans of hundreds of billions of euros for defense and infrastructure. .

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Germany's Major Loans Drive Up Interest Rates Across Europe

Long interest rates have already begun to rise in the wake of Germany's financial policy U-turn, which opens up for giant loans to defense and infrastructure. Inflation – also in Sweden – can in the long run also be pushed upwards.

Germany's Major Loans Drive Up Interest Rates Across Europe

Germany: Thousands of Billions of Euros for Weapons and Roads

The German Bundestag votes yes to constitutional amendments enabling loans of around a thousand billion euros for defense and infrastructure. We must rebuild our defense capabilities, says the country's likely future Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Germany: Thousands of Billions of Euros for Weapons and Roads

German parties united – billion investment secured

The likely future German government parties have agreed with the Greens in a contentious struggle over multi-billion investments in infrastructure and defense. Germany is back, says CDU leader Friedrich Merz at a press conference.

German parties united – billion investment secured

Selfie ban during German government talks

No statements, no press conferences, no situation reports – and no selfies. The rules are tough ahead of the government talks in Germany, where election winner Friedrich Merz will try to stitch together a coalition between Christian Democrats and Social Democrats.

Selfie ban during German government talks

CEO: Geopolitical crisis can be a boost for Scania

The Scania CEO Christian Levin is worried about the geopolitical crisis in the wake of the Trump administration's takeover. But signals that Europe – with Germany at the forefront – is facing massive investments in defense and infrastructure could put money in the coffers for both Scania and the German parent company Traton.

CEO: Geopolitical crisis can be a boost for Scania

Green No - Merz's Investment Plan in Danger

The German Green party thinks they will not vote for the future Chancellor Friedrich Merz's gigantic billion investment in infrastructure and defense, says group leader Katharina Dröge according to Bild. Thus, the plans of the coming government hang in the balance.

Green No - Merz's Investment Plan in Danger

Merz and SPD Agree - Initiate Negotiations

The German election winner Friedrich Merz has taken a clear step towards a new government. His Christian Democratic CDU and sister party CSU are, after sounding out, in agreement with the Social Democratic SPD to initiate government negotiations.

Merz and SPD Agree - Initiate Negotiations

The EU Summit: Five Points to Keep an Eye On

It is expected broad support for the EU Commission's plan to inject equivalent to nearly 9 billion Swedish kronor (800 billion euro) into defense at Thursday's EU summit. But there are points where it can get hot.

The EU Summit: Five Points to Keep an Eye On

Macron's Bold Move: France's Nuclear Shield for EU Peace Strategy

France's President Emmanuel Macron has invited European defense chiefs to a meeting in Paris next week. Macron is once again opening up to protecting other EU countries with France's nuclear weapons.

Macron's Bold Move: France's Nuclear Shield for EU Peace Strategy

Germany to Ease Debt Rules for Major Defense and Infrastructure Boost

Germany's Christian Democrats and Social Democrats have agreed to ease the debt brake to be able to invest multi-billion amounts in defense. This is announced by Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become the new Federal Chancellor after Olaf Scholz's election defeat in February.

Germany to Ease Debt Rules for Major Defense and Infrastructure Boost

Germany's Parliament Poised for Major Defense Funding Vote Next Week

Already next week, the outgoing German federal parliament may vote on a giant package to strengthen the defense, reports Bild. .

Germany's Parliament Poised for Major Defense Funding Vote Next Week

Macron opens up to European nuclear weapons

The French President Emmanuel Macron is open to discussing a common European nuclear strategy if Europe is to become less dependent on the USA. .

Macron opens up to European nuclear weapons

Support for Zelensky after the quarrel - "not alone"

The support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is pouring in after the brawl at the White House. "You are not alone" and that President Donald Trump is doing Putin's "dirty work" are some of the messages.

Support for Zelensky after the quarrel - "not alone"

Government talks begin in Berlin – without Scholz

After the election defeat for Germany's social democratic federal chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday, the victorious Christian democrat Friedrich Merz will today begin sounding out for a new government. The talks with the social democratic SPD will take place without Scholz, according to German media.

Government talks begin in Berlin – without Scholz

Prime Minister Kristersson met election winner Merz in Berlin

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has met the German election winner Friedrich Merz in Berlin, he writes on [X](https://x. com/SwedishPM/status/1894803535373517245).

Prime Minister Kristersson met election winner Merz in Berlin

Musk: Time issue before AFD wins

The Far-Right Party AFD achieved great successes in Sunday's German election. Friedrich Merz, who is likely to become the country's next Chancellor, calls the right-wing extremist upswing "the last warning" to other parties.

Musk: Time issue before AFD wins

The German winner: Must quickly secure the defense

The Christian Democratic CDU/CSU will, after Sunday's election victory, begin government talks with the Social Democratic SPD. The election winner Friedrich Merz also promises Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he can visit Germany without being arrested – despite an international arrest warrant.

The German winner: Must quickly secure the defense

The Power Player Merz Has Made His Comeback

He was outmaneuvered by Angela Merkel and disappeared from politics. Now, Friedrich Merz has made a grand comeback.

The Power Player Merz Has Made His Comeback