What gives Italian PM Mario Draghi so much authority is in part his technocratic and diplomatic manner. But it’s also his prior career as an economist.
Challenge for Armin Laschet, who takes over as head of Merkel's party, will be to offer continuity while carving his own path with an eye on the September elections.
The German leader’s stance was echoed by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who said that the state and not 'the digital oligarchy' is responsible for regulations.
The tighter restrictions – including a ban on gatherings over the New Year – will last until 10 January after a less stringent lockdown failed to halt a surge in Covid infections and deaths.
After comfortably handling the start of the pandemic, Germany is now lagging behind its neighbors and faces increasing pressure to tighten restrictions days before Christmas.
No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.
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