Europe’s disunity over China deepens

[ad_1] BRUSSELS — Just when you thought Europe’s China policy could not be more disunited, the two most powerful countries of the European Union are now also at odds over whether to revive a moribund investment agreement with the authoritarian superpower. For France, resuscitating the so-called EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI)Continue Reading

Angela Merkel receives Germany’s highest honor

[ad_1] BERLIN — Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received Germany’s highest federal decoration on Monday, an honor bestowed on only two other former leaders before her, though some within her own party questioned whether her legacy matches up. Merkel, who led the country for over 16 years as one of itsContinue Reading

Angela Merkel receives Germany’s highest honor

[ad_1] BERLIN — Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received Germany’s highest federal decoration on Monday, an honor bestowed on only two other former leaders before her, though some within her own party questioned whether her legacy matches up. Merkel, who led the country for over 16 years as one of itsContinue Reading

Olaf Scholz faces new probe over German tax fraud scandal

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BERLIN — Germany’s center-right opposition wants to raise the heat on Chancellor Olaf Scholz by launching a parliamentary investigation into his alleged connection to a massive tax evasion scandal. The case — which dates back over five yearsContinue Reading

German Christian Democrats rewrite Merkel’s China playbook

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BERLIN — Germany’s Christian Democrats, the country’s largest opposition group, are planning to shift away from the pragmatic stance toward China that characterized Angela Merkel’s 16 years as chancellor, claiming that maintaining peace through trade has failed. It’sContinue Reading

Toxic Germanity and the battle for ‘das Auto’

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Matthew Karnitschnig is POLITICO’s chief Europe correspondent. BERLIN — Europe’s worst-kept secret is that the Germans ultimately decide everything. “I’ll never forget how all the other member states held back in anticipation, waiting to see what the GermansContinue Reading