Thursday's top story: EU mega budget hits immediate German opposition
The European Union executive on Wednesday proposed a two-trillion-euro long-term budget focused on tackling overseas competition and Russian aggression, but it was quickly shot down by Germany, the bloc's largest member.
Germany said it was "unable to accept" the $2.3-trillion budget for 2028-2034, which EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called "the most ambitious ever proposed". Farm unions also quickly came out against proposed reforms to the blocs huge agriculture subsidies.
The plan seeks to bolster Europe's security and ramp up competitiveness, against a backdrop of soaring trade tensions with the United States, while paying off debts from a massive Covid-era loan.
The European Commission put 451 billion euros on the table under a broad "competitiveness" tag that encompasses defence and space -- together allocated 131 billion euros, a five-fold increase.
The budget earmarks up to 100 billion euros for the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine -- as well as substantial new "flexibility" funds kept available in event of crises.
But German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement that "a comprehensive increase in the EU budget is not acceptable at a time when all member states are making considerable efforts to consolidate their national budgets."
Germany also opposed the commission call to make companies with a turnover of more than 100 million euros pay more tax.
While Germany says the budget is too large, many EU lawmakers accuse it of not leaving sufficient funds for priorities such as climate adaptation and the agriculture subsidies that make up the biggest share of the budget.
Merz makes first trip to London amid warming post-Brexit ties
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to London Thursday to sign a "friendship treaty" with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as Britain seeks to improve post-Brexit ties with its neighbours.
They will also discuss continued support for Ukraine, with both London and Berlin expected to play a role in US President Donald Trump's plan to send weapons to Kyiv with financing from other NATO countries.
The visit is Merz's first to the UK as chancellor, although he has already met Starmer several times, including on a trip to Ukraine just days after he took office in early May.
Merz's trip comes a week after a state visit to Britain by French President Emmanuel Macron, the first by an EU head of state since the UK left the bloc five years ago.
READ ALSO: Majority of Germans would support the UK re-joining the EU
The wide-ranging new treaty between Germany and Britain will refer to the turbulent security situation that both countries face and include a mutual defence pact.
"There is no strategic threat to one which would not be a strategic threat to the other," the text is expected to say, alongside a pledge that the two countries "shall assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack".
While Britain and Germany already have a commitment to mutual defence as NATO members, the treaty is expected to pave the way for greater defence cooperation, including in weapons development and operations on NATO's eastern flank.
Berlin promotes nationwide ban on knives on buses and trains
Knives and other weapons will be banned on all Berlin S-Bahn trains, underground trains, buses and trams from Thursday, a move which the Senate and police hope will curb violent crime.
According to Interior Senator Iris Spranger, Berlin's new ban on weapons and knives on buses and trains should be extended to the whole of Germany.
The SPD politician told the DPA that her goal is “for all federal states to join forces for a Germany-wide ban on weapons and knives on public transport.”
“What has worked selectively in the three weapon and knife ban zones at Kottbusser Tor, Görlitzer Park and Leopoldplatz will now ensure greater safety throughout the city,” added the senator.
While the main focus is on knives, the weapons ban also includes alarm guns, irritant weapons and signal weapons.
From Thursday, police in Berlin will be permitted to check whether someone is carrying a weapon regardless of whether there are specific grounds for suspicion at locations including trains, busses, station buildings, platforms and access points.
READ ALSO: What are the rules around carrying a knife in Germany?
An S-Bahn train waits to depart at Berlin Alexanderplatz. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Paul ZinkenThe Bavarian state government wants to abolish its climate report
The Bavarian state government wants to do without its annual report on the development of greenhouse gas emissions going forward.
This state's climate report is to be deleted along with several other reporting obligations.
As BR24 reported, the state justification is that the move would reduce bureaucracy.
The Green state parliament member Martin Stümpfig criticized that the cabinet is acting to simply abolish unpleasant reports instead of making more effort in climate protection.
READ ALSO: Climate change made recent European heatwave 'up to 4C hotter'
Klingbeil sticks to global minimum tax in Europe
Another day and another disagreement between the German chancellor and his finance minister.
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of the centre-left SPD reiterated his determination on Wednesday to stick to an international minimum tax for large corporations regardless of whether or not the US is willing to participate, a day after Chancellor Merz of the conservative Union advocated for temporarily suspending the minimum tax in Europe.
Part of a global reform of corporate taxes agreed to by approximately 140 countries, the tax is meant to apply to all internationally active companies with an annual turnover of more than €750 million. These counties must pay at least 15 percent tax, regardless of where their profits are generated.
US President Donald Trump sees the global tax agreement as an example of unacceptable interference in US national sovereignty. however. Following months of negotiations among the G7 nations, a recent agreement exempts US companies from the global minimum tax on the basis that they will be subject to taxation in a parallel US system.
Many European companies fear this will put them at a disadvantage.
With reporting by AFP, DPA and Tom Pugh.
Comments