


Germany’s new government is blandly reassuring
Friedrich Merz’s promises to transform the country have been scaled back
FOR ANYONE seeking respite from Donald Trump’s political and financial maelstroms, on April 9th Germany proved happy to oblige. After what by German standards was a relatively swift negotiation, the centre-right Christian Democratic bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, sewed up its coalition talks with the Social Democrats (spd) and published its programme for government. After winning Germany’s election on February 23rd, Mr Merz had shocked observers by questioning nato’s future under Mr Trump and declaring that Europe must “achieve independence from America”. But there were no such fireworks on offer this week. Asked if he had a message for America’s president, Mr Merz replied simply that “Germany is back on track.” Fittingly, many investors spooked by Mr Trump’s caprices abandoned us Treasuries for the calmer waters of Germany’s bond market.
Explore more

The EU’s response to Donald Trump’s tariffs could be stinging
The world’s biggest trade bloc has plenty of cards, if it plays them right

Ukraine thinks it can hold off Russia as long as it needs to
Russia may have Chinese volunteers, but Ukraine has drones

How Europe hopes to turn Ukraine into a “steel porcupine”
Investing in the country’s defence industry is the best way to keep it in the fight
Jordan Bardella, the French hard right’s young hope
After Marine Le Pen was barred from running for president, the 29-year-old may have to take her place
Europe cannot fathom what Trumpian America wants from it
From tariffs to Ukraine, Europeans are stuck in the Fog of Peace
Germany’s Mütterrente is a poor way to pay parents
A recession is not the time to raise benefits for those who had kids long ago