Articles in this Cluster
06-05-2025
Germany is set to end six months of political stalemate with conservative Friedrich Merz being sworn in as the new Chancellor. Merz, 69, has formed a coalition government with the Social Democrats and has promised to revitalize the country's economy and boost its global influence. The coalition has a narrow majority with 328 seats, and Merz faces challenges from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, which has been classed as an extremist organization by domestic intelligence. Merz has pledged to tighten immigration rules, invest in infrastructure, and rebuild ties with European partners, while navigating complex relationships with the US, including under Donald Trump's administration.
06-05-2025
Friedrich Merz is set to become Germany's new chancellor amid a series of national crises, including a stagnant economy and a strained relationship with the US. At 69, Merz has no executive experience in government but has been aggressive in addressing challenges since his party won elections in February. He has criticized President Trump, questioned the stability of American democracy, and led efforts to forge a stronger Europe. Merz has broken key campaign promises, including on fiscal restraint and asylum seekers, which has alienated some conservative voters and led to a decline in his party's polling numbers. Despite this, his supporters see him as an agile politician capable of delivering on key issues. Merz's leadership style is marked by his charm, willingness to consider new ideas, and stubbornness once decisions are made. His background as a corporate lawyer and significant wealth may shape his conservative approach to governance.
06-05-2025
Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old conservative Christian Democrat, is set to become Germany's next chancellor after a three-party coalition led by Olaf Scholz imploded. Merz's Christian Democratic Union (C.D.U.) came in first with 28.5% of the vote, while the incumbent Social Democrats (S.P.D.) came in third with 16.5%. The new government faces significant challenges, including a struggling economy, high labor costs, and the loss of American security guarantees. The far-right AfD party is also surging in the polls, posing a threat to the coalition. Merz's cabinet includes several newcomers from the private sector, including Karsten Wildberger, who will lead the digitization and modernization ministry, and Katherina Reiche, who will be the first woman to run the Economy Ministry. The coalition is expected to be more stable than Scholz's, as its members may feel that there is no other option due to the rise of the AfD.
06-05-2025
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has resigned and his Social Democrat party is leaving the government after a right-wing nationalist candidate, George Simion, won the first round of the presidential election with 40.9% of the vote. Simion, a eurosceptic who has promised to prioritize Romania's interests, is expected to win the run-off vote on May 18 against liberal Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan. Ciolacu's resignation is expected to lead to up to 45 days of political instability, creating a power vacuum in a country on NATO's eastern flank and a key supporter of Ukraine.
06-05-2025
George Simion, a hard-right Eurosceptic leader in Romania, has emerged as the clear winner in the first round of voting in the country's presidential election re-run with 41% of the vote. He will face liberal Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan, who secured 21%, in a runoff vote on 18 May. Simion's victory is seen as a test of the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism within the EU, and his win would expand the cohort of Eurosceptic leaders in the EU. Simion opposes military aid to Ukraine, is critical of EU leadership, and has aligned himself with Trump's Make America Great Again movement.
