87 m. ago Merz strikes urgent tone in calling for more European independence from US

Stance of German alliance’s leader could herald closer ties with France but ‘debt brake’ poses obstacle to spendingGerman election live – latest updatesFriedrich Merz marked his conservative alliance’s victory in Germany’s election by urging Europe to make itself more independent from the US – a project that will be music to the ears of Emmanuel Macron but may turn on whether Merz can build a Bundestag majority to lift the so-called debt brake that slows increases in defence spending.One possibility for the CDU/CSU alliance leader, who is on course to become Germany’s next chancellor, is to claim that the country is in an emergency, to try to force the change through the Bundestag before its dissolution. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Germany election: far right surge is ‘last warning’, says Friedrich Merz

Leader of victorious conservative alliance says centrist parties must work together to provide effective leadershipGerman election live – latest updatesThe doubling of support for the far right in Germany’s federal election was “the last warning” to the country’s mainstream parties to provide effective leadership, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s victorious conservative alliance, has said.Speaking on Monday after his CDU/CSU alliance came first with 28.5% of the vote, the man who is on course to become the next German chancellor said centrist parties needed to heed the surge in support for the anti-immigration Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Germany: Merz says it’s ‘five to midnight’ for Europe and calls for unity – live

Most likely next German chancellor warns against rise of far right and says he intends to form new government by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Germany will likely continue its leadership on climate action. But expect a change in tone

Germany has long been considered to have relatively ambitious climate goals and it’s likely that combatting climate change will remain a priority

Politics

4 h. ago Friedrich Merz: Who is Germany’s election winner and how will he fare against AfD leader Alice Weidel?

Friedrich Merz has taken aim at the US and says Europe must stand up for itself

Politics

4 h. ago Germany: Merz says migration, foreign relations and security key but warns of rise of far right after CDU/CSU election success – live

Most likely next German chancellor says his party has mandate to govern and intends to form new government by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago Germany has swung to the right. What does that mean for the country – and Europe? Our panel responds

Friedrich Merz’s CDU/CSU may have won the German election, but all eyes are on the far-right AfD after its huge gains Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Germany: Merz calls for European ‘independence’ from US after Conservatives win election – Europe live

Donald Trump has made it clear he is ‘fairly indifferent to Europe’s fate’, says CDU leader who plans to form a coalition by EasterGerman election 2025: results in fullGuten Morgen aus Berlin,In November 2019, Freidrich Merz joined a conference of German students at Harvard.From our point of view it can get going very, very quickly. We should hold the first talks this week already, in the coming days.My impression is that there are many people in the SPD who also see that we can and should do something together, and then we will find compromises. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Germany’s Friedrich Merz takes swipe at Trump and calls for ‘independence from the USA’

Germany’s likely next chancellor has also questioned whether NATO will continue to exist

Politics

20 h. ago German election results 2025 – live: Trump hails ‘great day for Germany’ as Merz’s Conservatives claim victory

AfD set for strongest result ever while incumbent chancellor’s SPD on track for worst-ever outcome in fourth snap election in Germany’s history

Politics

24 h. ago German election live: Conservatives projected to win and far

Exit polls show CDU/CSU as largest party with about 29%, with Alternative für Deutschland on about 20%German election 2025: results in full – liveOpinion is divided as Germany faces what some describe as the “most important election in their lifetime”. The country is expected to shift to the right as Friedrich Merz is in pole position to become Germany’s next chancellor, while far-right party AfD could become the second most powerful party.So earlier today I asked voters at a polling station in central Berlin what they expected from the election and what they wanted the next chancellor to focus on. Continue reading...

Politics

25 h. ago Friedrich Merz set to become Germany’s next chancellor, exit polls say

Far-right Alternative for Germany records best result with close to 20 per cent of the vote

Politics

27 h. ago German election live: voters head to polls amid fears over Ukraine security, Trump and rise of far right

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz could unseat chancellor Olaf Scholz but threat of gains by far-right AfD looms largeBerlin correspondentIn the run-up to today’s vote, the Guardian’s Kate Connolly travelled more than 850 miles on trains across Germany to hear what its citizens have to say about the state of their nation. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago German election: What to expect and what is at stake as voters head to polls

Election is likely to end with no clear winner with tricky coalition talks

Politics

35 h. ago The damning level of winter energy debt revealed in briefing to Scottish Parliament

The average energy debt of those seeking help in Scotland this winter is £2,500 and even higher for those from rural communities, a key support agency has warned.

Politics

36 h. ago Discontented Germany votes in an election with economy, migration and far

German voters are choosing their new government in an election dominated by worries about the years-long stagnation of Europe’s biggest economy, pressure to curb migration and growing uncertainty over the future of Ukraine and Europe’s alliance with the United States

Politics

2 d. ago Germany’s Merz says Europe can no longer rely on US protection

Frontrunner for chancellor suggests possible nuclear co-operation with the UK and France

Politics

3 d. ago BBC EastEnders' Ian Beale 'screams get out the way' at fans during wild afterparty exit

BBC EastEnders actors were seen celebrating their success at a wild afterparty following the dramatic 40th anniversary live episode, which saw Martin Fowler die.

Sport

3 d. ago Brits warned against 'rash' pension decisions ahead of new tax rules or face 'costly mistake'

More than half of Brits see their pension as a key part of their legacy plan, but experts have warned against making 'rash' decisions ahead of new inheritance tax rules that are set to be introduced in the UK

Economics

4 d. ago Passengers warned of train delays affecting key routes after Hackney cable thefts

Disruption expected into the afternoon after incident in the early hours

Events