Latest news with #ChristianDemocrat
LeMonde
4 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
In Germany, the LGBTQ+ flag is at the heart of a new culture war
The rainbow flag will not fly above the Bundestag on Saturday, July 26, during Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD), the annual parade in support of LGBTQ+ rights. This decision, which ends a practice that began in 2022, has sparked heated debate in Germany at a time when the far right is gaining ground and attacks against sexual minorities are increasing. The turning point came in mid-May. Just days after the new government took office, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, of the Christian Democrat (CDU) party, announced that she would ban the raising of the rainbow flag atop the Bundestag for CSD in the name of neutrality for public buildings and administration, considering it a "political demonstration." She explained that this symbol of diversity and the fight against discrimination would now only be displayed atop of the building one day a year: on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia. Klöckner also banned the "Parliament's Queer Network," a group of LGBTQ+ staff, from participating in the CSD parade as a political group. Its members may attend only in a private capacity. In doing so, the Bundestag president broke with the approach of her predecessor, Social Democrat Bärbel Bas, who had herself participated in CSD in 2023 and 2024 and had the flag flown atop the building.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
The battle for the EU budget - who wins, who loses?
Brussels has spoken! The European Commission presented its long-term budget proposal, kicking off tough negotiations over who gets what and who pays for it. Rich countries like Germany and the Netherlands have already rejected the numbers game as being too ambitious. But it's not only about politics - it's about who wins and who loses in crucial areas like technology, agriculture and climate action. Who will finally get their way? And what are the benefits for ordinary citizens? Questions for our panel this week: Kait Bolongaro, managing editor for Europe at MLEX, Tomi Huhtanen, executive director at the Wilfried Martens Centre and Dave Keating, Brussels correspondent for France 24. To say that the European Commission's proposal for a long-term budget would not survive in its current form, would be an understatement. For Chancellor Friedrich Merz the EU must do more with the money it has. This sets up a clash with fellow German Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen who believes that rising challenges need an adequate fiscal response - in other words: more money. Get ready for bruising budget battles that might last two years! Another fight over money: This time, it would make smoking, in all its forms, more expensive. The EU Commission announced a renewed push to curb tobacco consumption through higher taxation. At the same time, the World Health Organization is sounding the alarm bell: chronic public health problems are getting out of hand. As a remedy, the WHO is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 percent over the next ten years through higher taxes. This would save millions of lives and raise 1.4 trillion dollars globally, according to the WHO. The move would help cut consumption of the products which contribute to diseases like diabetes and cancer. The WHO is now becoming an ally for the European Commission, which wants to modernize the EU's Tobacco Taxation Directive. A strong signal for public health or just another way to squeeze taxpayers? Can public health be improved by fiscal measures? Finally, panellists discuss the fast-fashion industry operating in Eurpope, as the hunt for super-cheap online bargains might get a little less attractive - at least in France. The government in Paris has hit Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant SHEIN with a €40 million fine for what regulators call 'deceptive commercial practices.' It's a major escalation in Europe's scrutiny of the fast fashion model. The blow comes two months after the European Commission found Shein guilty of engaging in illegal commercial practices under EU law, following a coordinated investigation with national consumer protection authorities. And earlier this year, France already presented new legislation targeting Shein and its Chinese rival Temu, imposing eco-taxes, advertising bans and influencer restrictions. Will these steps have an impact among consumers? Will they stop buying from those sites?
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
The Interview Friedrich Merz: Europe was free-riding on US
Europe was free-riding on US Nick Robinson speaks to Friedrich Merz, the new German Chancellor, about the future of Europe's defence amid the growing threat posed by Russia. Merz, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democrat party, was elected as Chancellor earlier this year at the second attempt, following chaotic scenes in the German Bundestag that saw him lose the first parliamentary vote. He's been in the UK to sign the first-ever friendship treaty between the two countries - it's a wide-ranging agreement covering everything from migration to energy, and business to defence. Unlike his predecessors who, in the shadow of World War Two, were keen to reassure the world that German military strength was not a priority, Chancellor Merz has decided to invest heavily in defence. He says that a strong army is now essential, thanks to the grave threat Russia poses to European peace and stability - and that Germany must be able to protect itself, and not rely on America. Chancellor Merz also talks about his good relations with US President Donald Trump and the rise of the far right AFD (Alternative für Deutschland) party in his country, which is now the official opposition. Thank you to the Today programme team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenter: Nick Robinson Producers: Lucy Sheppard, Ben Cooper and Kirsty McKenzie Sound: Dave O'Neill Editor: Nick Holland Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@ and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media. (Image: Friedrich Merz. Credit: Reuters)
Euronews
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Is von der Leyen ready for bruising budget battles?
It was a lacklustre victory for Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament. Many of those who supported her in the no-confidence vote did so without enthusiasm and to avoid a crisis. The Commission president's challenge now is to advance her agenda with a fragile majority and against an energized opposition. And with bruising battles ahead over the next long-term budget and a looming trade war with the US the pressure is only mounting. Can von der Leyen deliver? Questions for our guests this week: Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Irish member of the European Parliament for the Renew Europe Group, Philipp Lausberg, senior analyst at the European Policy Centre and Klaus Welle, chairman of the Academic Council at the Wilfried Martens Centre. On the surface, it was a good day for Ursula von der Leyen. A solid majority of members of the European Parliament expressed their trust in her. To achieve this result, however, the German Christian Democrat had to expend considerable political capital to buy concessions from the Socialists and Democrats to keep them on board. It worked this time, but her center-left allies made it clear that, from now on, they expect her to stick to agreed policies, for example on climate. A policy that has put von der Leyen increasingly at odds with her own EPP led by her nemesis Manfred Weber. Brussels watchers predict lively discussions on the fate of the 2040 emission targets as well as laborious budget negotiations in the months to come. The question is: how messy will it get? The second topic: The surge in migration flows from Libya that Greece is currently experiencing could easily evolve into the EU's crisis of the summer. Last week, on the island of Crete alone, almost 500 migrants arrived per day. Athens announced stricter measures, suspending asylum requests for three months. The government's goal is to discourage people in Libya from beginning the dangerous journey across the sea. But for that you need the cooperation of the Libyans. That's what an EU delegation was trying to accomplish when they were kicked out of the country by a local warlord over protocol issues. That begs the question: how serious a partner is Libya for Europe and how to deal with a failed state? Finally, the panel discussed the relationship between the EU and China that caught in a cycle of disgruntlement - and it doesn't appear to be getting any better. Restricted market access, trade imbalances or China's support of Russia in its war against Ukraine: pick your favorite dispute. That's the backdrop against the upcoming EU-China summit in Beijing next week. But as Donald Trump's shadow is looming large, some suggest Brussels should work toward a reset of relations with the Chinese. Initially, the summit was planned to run for two days in Brussels, now it's only one day in Beijing. Xi Jinping refused to come to Brussels and he will most likely not participate in the summit. Also, no joint statement is planned. What needs to be done to overcome years of frustration and scepticism?
Bloomberg
18-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
EU Countries to Give Initial Verdict on Contentious Budget
Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg's daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union. We're keen to hear your views on this newsletter. Please participate in our short survey. European Affairs ministers meet today in Brussels to share initial feedback on the Commission's contentious proposal for the EU's long-term budget. Germany swiftly rejected the plan unveiled on Wednesday, saying the €2 trillion headline figure was too high at a time when many nations are striving for fiscal consolidation. Speaking during a visit to London yesterday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU must do more with the money it has and rejected a proposed levy on companies, setting up a clash with Commission president and fellow German Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen. Another point of contention is likely to be a €400 billion crisis tool, set to be backed by joint borrowing — a controversial mechanism that has long met resistance from Berlin and like-minded fiscal hawks.
