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Hans von der Burchard

@vonderburchard.bsky.social
1.4K followers 15 following 39 posts

Senior Politics Reporter Germany @POLITICOEurope Reporting in 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇺🇸 ■ Berlin ■ Brussels ■ Buenos Aires

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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Germany's Friedrich Merz will announce new Ukraine military aid during his meeting with Zelenskyy in Berlin today. The package, worth billions, is expected to include air defense, other weapons and technical components that allow Kyjiw to build cruise missiles. www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
politico.eu
Merz’ Botschaft an Putin
Präsentiert von POLITICO Pro Von HANS VON DER BURCHARD Mit RIXA FÜRSEN PRÄSENTIERT VON Schicken Sie uns Ihre Tipps hier, hier oder hier | X @GordonRepinski @vonderburchard @R_Buchsteiner | Das Play…
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Ein Schiff rammt eine für Militärtransporte in Richtung Ukraine essentielle Brücke in Niedersachsen. Zwei Monate fällt sie aus. Doch kaum ist sie repariert, wird sie erneut von einem Schiff gerammt. Wir müssen endlich die Augen öffnen, was hier passiert: www.welt.de/politik/deut...
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
One month ago, Trump wrote "Vladimir, STOP", yet last night Russia perpetuated another deadly attack, killing several civilians, including children. When will Trump & his entourage realize that giving up on Ukraine means Russia but also China won't take them seriously any more?
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Merz in Tirana: - “very disappointed” that Putin avoids peace talks - Europe will make new offers for talks “in the coming days” - they spoke to Trump about this Yet no word about new sanctions, suggesting that the unity with Trump on this (from last weekend) is gone for now.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Germany intends to drastically increase its defense spending and reach 5 percent of GDP — in line with Donald Trump’s demand — Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says at NATO meeting in Turkey. This means an increase of annual defense spending to over 200 bn over the next years.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
So, Merz, Macron, Starmer, Tusk and Zelenskyy called Trump super early (they may have woken him up — Macron had his mobile), but it worked: The U.S. President agreed to support their peace initiative, making the Kyiv meeting a success (for now). Story: www.politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu
European leaders win Trump’s support to pressure Putin into unconditional ceasefire
French President Emmanuel Macron called the U.S. president on his mobile phone to brief him on the discussions in Kyiv.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Breaking from Kyiv: Merz, Macron, Starmer and Tusk urge Putin to accept an unconditional 30-days ceasefire, strongly rejecting Moscow’s demand of first halting Western military aid. Crucially, they called Trump during the meeting in Kyiv who told them he’s backing their approach.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
The leaders of the U.K., Germany, France and Poland will visit Ukraine on Saturday in an attempt to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree a 30-day ceasefire and open meaningful peace talks. www.politico.eu/article/emba...
politico.eu
Western leaders head to Kyiv to demand Putin agrees ceasefire
Starmer, Macron, Tusk and Merz join Donald Trump’s call for a 30-day Ukraine war truce.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Foreign ministers from the EU, U.K. and Ukraine on Friday launched a new tribunal to prosecute Russian officials responsible for war crimes against Ukraine. That sends a grim counterpoint to Putin’s Victory Day parade in Moscow. My story from Lviv: www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
politico.eu
EU and Ukraine launch special tribunal to prosecute Putin’s war crimes
The move comes as the U.S. and Western allies threaten further sanctions against Russia if it does not accept a ceasefire.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Friedrich Merz elected as Germany‘s 10th Chancellor. In the second round he got 325 votes, nine more than needed (and still three less than his coalition theoretically has).
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Italy is now the center of political stability compared to Berlin that is in an unprecedented mess. Whatever motivated MPs to vote against Merz, they chose to toss Germany into constitutional chaos at the worst moment: Trump, Russia's aggression, recession...
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Breaking: Friedrich Merz FAILS to get elected as German Chancellor in the first round of voting. Huge setback in 🇩🇪 There can be a second and third round of voting but it's unclear whether it can take place today.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Germany’s domestic intelligence service just categorised the AfD as “definitely right-wing extremist.” The suspicion that the party is pursuing endeavours directed against the free democratic basic order has been confirmed. This paves the way for a potential ban of the AfD.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz says "yes" to Taurus for Ukraine. "If it is agreed" among allies — and he adds that FR & UK are already supplying cruise missiles — "then Germany should participate." He says the Crimea bridge could be targeted & "destroyed."
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
We’ve been wondering how the Trump team came up with these weird tariffs that other countries are allegedly charging the U.S. — a fictive 39% for the EU — to justify their reciprocal tariffs. Sander Tordoir found out they simply divided the trade deficit by exports to U.S. This is wild.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
“I wanna not quite wrap this up yet,” says Cory Booker as he just broke — amid standing ovations — the record for the longest senate speech (over 24 hours and 20 minutes by now). The so far largely speechless Democrats find a new voice against Trump.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Breaking: Germany's parliament approves Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz's plan to soften debt rules for massively increasing defense spending (plus a €500 billion special fund for infrastructure & climate). 513 voted in favor of changing Germany's basic law, 207 against.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Je vous présente … Merzcron. Macron is in Berlin tonight and will dine with the likely new Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The two are getting on much better personally, but also substance — like plans for Europe’a future. All the details in Berlin Playbook: www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
politico.eu
Merz’ Tag der Entscheidung
Präsentiert von INSM Von HANS VON DER BURCHARD Mit JOHANNA SAHLBERG PRÄSENTIERT VON Schicken Sie uns Ihre Tipps hier oder hier | X @GordonRepinski @vonderburchard | Das Playbook anhören oder online…
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Während die Fraktionssitzung der Union noch läuft, tritt Mario Czaja vor die Kameras und kritisiert einen „erheblichen Vertrauensverlust bei der CDU“ durch Merz plötzliche Schulden-Wende nach der Wahl. Es gebe „eine Handvoll“ weiterer Gegenstimmen in der Union — mehr aber nicht.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
After a one year pause I’m back on Bluesky. Got a bit too fed up with the Russian trolls and propaganda on X. Hope the conversation here is a bit better?
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 06/12/2023
The German government missed a self-imposed deadline for reaching a 2024 budget deal Wednesday, fueling concerns that the European Union's biggest economy is headed for a prolonged period of political and fiscal paralysis. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
politico.eu
Germany’s budget crisis: No clear way forward after coalition misses deadline
Governing parties failed to reach a deal on the 2024 budget, prolonging Germany’s fiscal freeze.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 05/12/2023
Baerbock chides Orbán and Serbia in fiery remarks “We have no time for games,” German Foreign Minister tells Hungarian leader as he threatens to block Ukraine EU accession talks. Baerbock also lashed out at Serbia’s Vučić for cozying up to Russia. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
politico.eu
Germany’s Baerbock chides Orbán and Serbia in fiery remarks
Foreign minister tells Hungarian leader ‘we have no time for games’ as he threatens to block Ukraine EU accession talks.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 02/12/2023
Will Germany solve its budget crisis by cutting development aid? Finance Minister Christian Lindner hinted at such a possibility. “We need to examine our international commitments … Can we perhaps achieve our goals with less money?” More here ⬇️ www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
politico.eu
Feminist foreign policy?
A weekly newsletter on German politics, with news and analysis on the policies and people that shape the post-Merkel era.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 28/11/2023
Fierce debate in the German Parliament: Scholz said his government would still “invest heavily” in the green transition, despite the budget crisis. Opposition leader Merz called Scholz's leadership "embarrassing" and said his party won't support more debt. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
politico.eu
Germany must ‘invest heavily’ in green transition despite budget crisis, Scholz says
Under fire from the conservative opposition, the German chancellor provided few specifics on how the government would pay for it.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 24/11/2023
Scholz’s budget drama really is the most German crisis ever, @MKarnitschnig and myself argue. Compared with Italy, Germany has no real financial problems. Yet it imposed itself tough rules which now hamper the green transition and economic competitiveness. www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
politico.eu
The most German crisis ever
A weekly newsletter on German politics, with news and analysis on the policies and people that shape the post-Merkel era.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 21/11/2023
German budget crisis — is it time to reform or suspend the debt brake? Economy Minister Habeck says it was “made in a different time” with cheap gas from Russia, good trade with China and a reliable U.S. that offered protection. Those times are over now. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
politico.eu
Germany freezes spending as budget crisis deepens
As Germany’s financial woes grow more acute, there are growing calls to suspend the country’s debt brake.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 21/11/2023
Following a bombshell ruling by Germany’s top court, the financial pain for the ruling coalition may be only just beginning. "The German economy will shrink as a result of this ruling and grow less strongly than predicted,” warned Economy Minister Habeck. www.politico.eu/article/why-...
politico.eu
Why Germany can’t square a €60 billion circle
Following a bombshell ruling by Germany’s top court, the financial pain for the ruling coalition may be only just beginning.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 18/11/2023
Germany has ‘psychology of guilt’ and therefore won't criticize Israel, Erdoğan said: “Since we’re in a kind of psychology of guilt here, you can’t judge it that way, but we have no debt to Israel,“ Erdoğan told Scholz at a tense press conference on Friday evening. www.politico.eu/article/erdo...
politico.eu
Germany has ‘psychology of guilt’ when it comes to Holocaust, Israel, Erdoğan says
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the two countries’ very different perspectives on the Israel-Hamas war.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 26/10/2023
Olaf Scholz emphasized his belief that the Israeli army will observe international law: “I have no doubt about that.” www.politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu
European Council summit live: EU leaders meet amid Israel-Hamas, Ukraine wars
EU leaders face difficult talks on a range of subjects during two-day summit in Brussels.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 26/10/2023
The sky over Brussels is grey but follow me here on Bluesky for the latest on the big EU summit today & tomorrow — and check out our liveblog: www.politico.eu/article/euro...
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 26/10/2023
As EU leaders meet at a summit on Thursday, they will insist they can handle both the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East at the same time — while also keeping an eye on the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, to say nothing of Armenia and Azerbaijan. www.politico.eu/article/eu-l...
politico.eu
Two wars threaten to overload Europe’s leaders
EU leaders are insisting they can tackle two disasters at once — but that rings hollow.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 20/10/2023
Your weekly Berlin Bulletin is here 🇩🇪 www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
politico.eu
War and Remembrance
A weekly newsletter on German politics, with news and analysis on the policies and people that shape the post-Merkel era.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 18/10/2023
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that an explosion at a Gaza hospital must be investigated “very thoroughly,” after competing claims from Israel and Hamas about who blew up the site, killings hundreds, on Tuesday night. www.politico.eu/article/germ...
politico.eu
Germany’s Scholz demands probe into Gaza hospital strike
‘We still do not know exactly what happened,’ German chancellor says.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 17/10/2023
Why is there no actual solidarity by Arab countries (in terms of actions, not just words) by helping Palestinians trying to flee Gaza? “This is a red line … no refugees to Jordan and also no refugees to Egypt,” King Abdullah said in Berlin. www.politico.eu/article/king...
politico.eu
King of Jordan tells Olaf Scholz: We won’t take refugees from Gaza
Rebuff comes as German chancellor warns Iran and Hezbollah not to intervene in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 11/10/2023
Macron and Scholz came to Hamburg with their cabinets to try to forge common positions on a host of issues, from defense to trade with China, but announced no concrete progress. Here are three key points of contention: www.politico.eu/article/fran...
politico.eu
3 disagreements Macron and Scholz can’t (yet) resolve
The German and French leaders tried to find common ground during a Hamburg retreat. But here are the key issues still dividing them.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 10/10/2023
At the Franco-German summit in Hamburg today
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 09/10/2023
From my colleague Peter Wilke: A father received a short call from his son who partied with over 4,000 people at a trance music festival when Hamas opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds. “I heard only gunshots, screams and Arabic language. My son said nothing.” www.politico.eu/article/isra...
politico.eu
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 09/10/2023
Elections in Bavaria and Hesse underscored frustration with the federal ruling coalition, as the far-right Alternative for Germany made big gains. “All of us together in this coalition should recognize the signals,” said SPD Secretary-General Kevin Kühnert. www.politico.eu/article/far-...
politico.eu
Far-right surge upends German state elections
Elections in Bavaria and Hesse underscored frustration with the federal ruling coalition, as Alternative for Germany made big gains.
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Hans von der Burchard @vonderburchard.bsky.social · 08/10/2023
Hello Bluesky community, excited to be present here as well and write my first post 🙌 It’s election time in Germany as the two influential states of Bavaria and Hesse head to the polls. Together they account for about 25% of German voters. What to watch out for: www.politico.eu/article/germ...
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