European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made her first public appearance since recovering from severe pneumonia.
She attended a two-day summit in Berlin on Friday, alongside Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party, and Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The summit focused on critical European issues, including security, migration, and competitiveness, while also addressing relations with the US before Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. Reducing bureaucracy was another key topic on the agenda.
Merz Advocates Stronger Migration Policies
Ahead of the meeting, Merz praised Sweden and Italy for their recent efforts to curb illegal migration.
He noted that Germany had only made “little steps” in comparison and suggested he would support stricter Europe-wide migration policies. Tougher stances on migration align closely with the CDU’s campaign platform as they lead in the polls ahead of February’s federal election.
Migration remains a contentious issue across Europe, and Merz’s comments may set the tone for broader European strategies on this subject.
German Politics and the Far-Right Challenge
While the CDU aims to strategize for the election, discussions may shift toward the growing influence of far-right parties.
The German election is just five weeks away, and nearby Austria is experimenting with a coalition between conservative and far-right parties. This political dynamic could heavily influence campaign strategies in Germany.
With the CDU leading in the polls, Merz and his party face the dual challenge of addressing pressing European issues and countering the rise of the far right within Germany and across Europe.