Far-right leader wants Germany to perform its own Brexit – POLITICO

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party will push for a referendum on Germany’s EU membership if it ever comes to power, said co-leader Alice Weidel. The party wants to reform the EU and limit the European Commission’s power, but “if such a reform is not possible, if we cannot restore the sovereignty of the EU … Read more

Fears grow over far-right efforts to co-opt German farmer protests – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BERLIN — German farmers commenced a week of planned protests on Monday while officials warned that far-right groups are attempting to co-opt the movement for their own political ends. The farmers began the day by blocking roads across much of the country in response … Read more

German government backtracks on tax hikes for farmers following protests – POLITICO

BERLIN — Germany’s three-party ruling coalition on Thursday partly backed down from a proposal to cut tax privileges for farmers after facing emotional protests. The government said in a statement that it would gradually phase out tax breaks on diesel fuel for farmers over multiple years rather than cut the benefit abruptly as coalition leaders … Read more

Wolfgang Schäuble, former German finance minister, dies at 81 – POLITICO

Wolfgang Schäuble, former German finance minister, longstanding senior lawmaker and a key figure behind Berlin’s controversial austerity push during the eurozone financial crisis, has died at the age of 81. Schäuble, a member of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 1965, “fell asleep peacefully at home with his family” on Tuesday evening after a … Read more

Ukrainian ambassador denies German pressure for peace talks with Russia – POLITICO

BERLIN — Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany on Saturday rejected claims that Berlin may be pressuring Kyiv behind closed doors to reach a peace deal with Russia. The speculation has been fueled by a report in the German magazine Der Spiegel on Friday about a secret “Russia dinner” in the German embassy in Washington in late … Read more

POLITICO’s quiz of the year 2023 – POLITICO

<p><strong><span style=”color: rgb(0, 0, 0)”>Which of these European commissioners did not step away from Ursula von der Leyen’s top team this year?</span></strong></p> Jutta Urpilainen Ylva Johansson Mariya Gabriel <p><strong><span style=”color: rgb(0, 0, 0)”>Von der Leyen joined Mark Rutte and Giorgia Meloni on a trip to which country to strike a deal to limit migrant departures?</span></strong></p> … Read more

Germany plans partial reform of its debt brake, Lindner says – POLITICO

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner announced plans to reform the country’s debt rules to allow more spending in times of economic downturn, while also voicing criticism over planned price increases for farmers and airlines. In an interview with German regional newspapers published Saturday, Lindner said he intends to revise an economic calculation component that defines … Read more

Germany warns of ‘warmonger Putin’ pushing propaganda at Paris Olympics – POLITICO

Germany’s sports minister, Nancy Faeser, has called on the International Olympic Committee to examine “very carefully” the backgrounds of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in next year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Faeser’s comments came a day after the IOC, headed by Germany’s Thomas Bach, announced that Russians and Belarusians would be able to compete in … Read more