BERLIN, Aug 15- The head of Germany's conservatives said on Thursday speeding up investment must be a priority as fears of recession in Europe's biggest economy grow, and that strict fiscal rules have flexibility built in so need not be abandoned immediately. Worries about a slowdown in Germany have prompted calls from some left-leaning politicians and even...
Below are some facts about Germany's self-imposed balanced budget goal and the constitutionally enshrined debt brake. Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has managed to raise spending since 2014 without incurring new debt thanks to an unusually long growth cycle, record-high employment, buoyant tax revenues and the European Central Bank's loose...
*GDP contracts 0.1% q/q in Q2, as expected. BERLIN, Aug 14- Slumping exports sent Germany's economy into reverse in the second quarter, with prospects of an early recovery slim as its manufacturers struggle at the sharp end of a global slowdown amplified by tariff conflicts and fallout from Brexit. But Germany's traditionally export-reliant economy- Europe's...
STRALSUND, Aug 13- Germany will introduce some sort of carbon emissions pricing to achieve its climate goals, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday, adding that she favours issuance of CO2 certificates to reduce such emissions. "We will need a pricing system for carbon emissions," Merkel said in a panel discussion in the Baltic Sea town of Stralsund.
*Finance Ministry may ditch no-new-debt policy- official. BERLIN, Aug 8- Germany is considering ditching its long-cherished balanced budget policy to help finance a costly climate protection programme with new debt, a senior government official said. Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has managed to raise public spending without incurring new debt...
*Finance Ministry may ditch no-new-debt policy- official. *Coalition to seal costly climate package on Sept. 20. BERLIN, Aug 8- Germany is considering ditching its long-cherished balanced budget policy to help finance a costly climate protection programme with new debt, a senior government official said.
BERLIN, Aug 8- Germany is mulling a fiscal policy U-turn and considering ditching its long cherished balanced budget goal by issuing new debt to finance a costly climate protection package, a senior government official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The challenge now is how to shape such a fundamental shift in fiscal policy without opening the flood...
BERLIN, July 31- Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday he was very sceptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has proposed stepping up efforts to safeguard the sea passage in the Gulf, at a time of heightened tension between it and Iran.
BERLIN, July 31- Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday he was very skeptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has proposed stepping up efforts to safeguard the sea passage in the Gulf, at a time of heightened tension between it and Iran.
BELFAST, July 26- Ireland said on Friday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's approach to Brexit was "very unhelpful" and that the new British leader appeared set on a collision course with the European Union that would preclude an orderly exit with a deal. Such biting criticism from Ireland, just two days since Johnson took office with a pledge to strike a new...
BELFAST, July 26- Ireland said on Friday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's approach to Brexit was "very unhelpful" and that the new British leader appeared set on a collision course with the European Union that would preclude an orderly exit with a deal. Such biting criticism from Ireland, just two days since Johnson took office with a pledge to strike a new...
DUBAI/ WASHINGTON, July 19- President Donald Trump said there was "no doubt" the U.S. Navy had brought down an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz this week while Tehran showed video footage that it said disproved the incident even happened. Speaking of Iran, he said the United States hopes "for their sake they dont do anything foolish. But Iran said all of its drones...
DUBAI/ WASHINGTON, July 19- President Donald Trump said there was "no doubt" the U.S. Navy had brought down an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz this week while Tehran showed video footage that it said disproved the incident even happened. Speaking of Iran, he said the United States hopes "for their sake they dont do anything foolish. But Iran said all of its drones...
DUBAI/ WASHINGTON, July 19- The United States and Iran were at odds on Friday about a U.S. assertion that its Navy had brought down an Iranian drone in the Gulf, with Tehran showing video footage that it said disproved the incident even happened. But Iran said all of its pilotless planes were accounted for amid growing international concern that both sides could...
BERLIN, July 19- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that if Brexit negotiations found a solution for the Irish border issue in the declaration on future ties between Britain and the European Union, the so-called backstop would effectively be overwritten. The backstop, which is contested by leading British politicians who want it changed or...
*Could replace SPD as centre-left force in Germany. BERLIN, July 18- A former trampolinist and a children's author have led the Greens to a spectacular comeback in Germany, raising the once-unthinkable prospect of a Green chancellor succeeding Angela Merkel. "This is in no way just a protest vote or a hoovering-up of Social Democrat votes, it's a longer-term trend,"...
*Kramp-Karrenbauer takes over as defence minister. BERLIN, July 17- Chancellor Angela Merkel's protegee, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, took over as defence minister on Wednesday, entering the cabinet in a move likely to make or break her chances of succeeding her mentor as Germany's leader by 2021.. Ursula von der Leyen's promotion to European Commission...
*Kramp-Karrenbauer takes over as defense minister. BERLIN, July 17- Chancellor Angela Merkel's protegee, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, took over as defense minister on Wednesday, entering the cabinet in a move likely to make or break her chances of succeeding her mentor as Germany's leader by 2021.. Ursula von der Leyen's promotion to European Commission...
*Von der Leyen backs climate goals, single market reforms. BRUSSELS, July 10- Germany's Ursula von der Leyen made her pitch to European Union lawmakers on Wednesday to become the next head of the bloc's executive, but her promises to fight climate change were not enough for Green deputies who vowed to vote against her. The powerful European Commission presidency,...
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "working through" a bout of shaking that first occurred in mid-June and struck for the third time on Wednesday.
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