German Coalition Parties Downplay Differences Ahead of Key Talks
Germany's prospective ruling coalition parties sounded optimistic as they prepare to enter the final stretch of talks to resolve differences between Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz's conservatives and the Social Democrats.
Markus Soeder, head of Bavaria's conservative CSU party, said Friday he's 'very sure' the two sides will reach an agreement, 'not because we have to but because we want to.' The focus of the coalition deal must be on the economy, including reducing the tax burden for companies and slashing bureaucracy, he told public broadcaster ARD.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
German defence minister visits Ukraine for talks on weapons support
BERLIN (Reuters) -German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kyiv to discuss military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the DPA news agency reported on Thursday. Pistorius plans to hold talks with Ukrainian government representatives about further weapons aid from Berlin, according to the report. "We are doing everything we can to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself and get into a position where Russia is prepared to enter into serious negotiations," Pistorius said ahead of his departure. The German defence ministry was not immediately available for comment. Germany is Ukraine's second-biggest military backer after the United States, whose commitment to Kyiv has been called into question, putting pressure on Europe to step up. Russia and Ukraine met for peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month in a renewed push to settle the conflict, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. However, fighting has raged on while the two sides disagree over a number of central issues, such as territorial concessions and the prospect of Ukraine's future NATO membership. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has already travelled to Kyiv and hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin since taking office in May, recently gave Ukraine the green light for "long range fire" with weapons supplied by Germany and others, angering Moscow.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Germany's CDU: Foreign medical students must work in Germany or pay
The German conservative party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to charge foreign medical students for their studies if they return to their home countries immediately after graduation instead of working in Germany. "Anyone who studies here should practise in rural areas for at least five years. Those who do not wish to do so must repay the costs of this first-class education," Sepp Müller, deputy chair of the parliamentary group of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, told the Bild newspaper in remarks published on Wednesday. Higher education, including medical school, is mainly free in Germany - to both foreign and domestic students. By contrast, in the United States both domestic and foreign students can pay some $60,000 per year - and more when housing and books are included. In the United Kingdom, annual international fees range between £43,700 ($59,232) at the Cardiff Medical School in Wales, to £67,194 at the Cambridge Medical School, according to UK testing site UKCAT The secretary of state in the German Health Ministry, Tino Sorge, also called for measures to prevent foreign medical students from returning to their home countries after completing their studies. "Our goal must be to retain such highly qualified professionals. We need to attract young doctors to work in Germany instead of watching them leave," the CDU politician told the newspaper. He added that each medical school place comes with significant costs. Florian Müller, the research policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, told Bild that the federal states should independently regulate the repayment of study costs. "We need to focus much more on ensuring that international talents work in Germany after university," he said.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
German Chancellor rejects Social Democratic Party's calls for restoring relations with Russia
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has affirmed the unity of his coalition government, comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), despite calls from some SPD members for a review of policy towards Russia. Source: n-tv, as reported by European Pravda Details: Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday, Merz responded to calls from certain SPD figures for diplomatic rapprochement with Russia and an end to Germany's arms policy. He emphasised that the coalition remains united on these matters. "In the federal government, between the CDU, CSU and SPD, we are fully united in our assessment of the war Russia is waging against Ukraine and the conclusions that must be drawn from it. I hope this unity will persist," he said. More details: Highlighting recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, Merz stressed the need to recognise Russia as a threat to the security of the entire NATO Alliance. "Russia poses a security risk on both sides of the Atlantic." He added that the upcoming NATO summit will address a long-term increase in defence spending. Background: A document titled "Manifesto," signed by over 100 SPD-associated figures, has sparked significant controversy in Germany. It advocates for a shift in security and defence policy, including negotiations with Russia and halting the deployment of new US medium-range missiles in Germany. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has already publicly rejected these proposals. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
