But the party congress comes as Merz faces pressure over a limping economy, poor personal approval ratings and the sustained threat of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of several regional elections. A barometer of the party's mood at the national congress in the southern city of Stuttgart will be whether Merz gets re-elected as party chief with the customary result in the 90 percent range, or less.
"us as the European Union to talk directly to Putin. This was not supported by some countries, primarily the Baltic states. Poland was also against it as they were afraid that we did not have a common policy towards Russia."
Ten years after former Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted that "wir schaffen das" (we can do it), Germany is still grappling with the consequences of its migration policy. Meanwhile, an arrest warrant has been ordered for German far-right activist Marla-Svenja Liebich after she failed to start her 18-month prison sentence for incitement and defamation. Below is a roundup of what Germany is talking about on Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31.
