FAZand
Deutschlandfunk after visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj in Kyiv.
Habeck said that Ukraine’s request for defensive weapons was justified and would be “difficult to deny”.
In addition, the German Green politician reiterated his party’s opposition against the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Habeck, however, was cautious about Ukraine’s request for NATO membership, reportedly saying the country has to be patient as there would not be a clear willingness to admit it into the alliance, adding that there are many requirements that the country has to meet. (Alexandra Brzozowski, EURACTIV.com)
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LISBON. Germany’s Europe Minister Michael Roth said on Tuesday that the EU had not been firm enough in upholding the rule of law and had lost credibility with countries that do not respect it.
“I want to be very honest. The EU has not been firm enough in defending and strengthening the rule of law. We have lost a lot of our credibility, especially in member states where the rule of law is under pressure, and this is quite a heavy burden for the Council”, the German minister said at an event in Coimbra.
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz saying he will not resign despite being under investigation and a polish right-wing opposition party opposing the EU proposal for 'vaccine passports', and so much more.
Belgium’s government on Tuesday presented plans for a major easing of its restrictions, starting on 9 June, with the reopening of cinemas, theatres, gyms and indoor cafes and restaurants.
According to the country’s Consultative Committee, the ‘summer plan’ will involve reopening milestones – 9 June, 1 July, 30 July, 13 August, 1 September – in accordance to vaccination and hospital occupancy criteria.
From
9 June, if intensive care occupancy falls below 500 and roughly 80% of people with underlying health conditions having been vaccinated, the hospitality sector will also be allowed to serve customers indoors, with a maximum of four people at a table (unless it’s a bigger family) with opening hours between 8am and 10pm. Outdoor terraces can remain open until 11.30pm.
The past two weeks in Germany have shown how quickly political winds can turn.
On 29 April, Germany’s top constitutional court in Karlsruhe ruled that the country’s climate protection law infringed upon the rights of the nation’s youth. The law, which aimed to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050, was considered too vague by the judges, who gave legislators until the end of 2022 to fix it.
The case – previously only of interest to legal scholars and climate activists until the ruling was announced – created a political whirlwind.
On 5 May, the federal government followed up. Taking observers by surprise, senior cabinet members announced plans to aim for climate neutrality by 2045 instead of 2050 and cut emissions by 65% before the end of this decade.