Latest Olaf Scholz News

European Central bank cuts benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to boost stagnant economy
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank cut its key interest rate on Thursday to boost an economy that’s struggling to grow as consumers burned by inflation warily eye price tags and businesses try to navigate political turmoil in leading economies France and Germany. ...

Merkel criticizes German front-runner Merz over migration vote with far-right support
BERLIN (AP) — Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday issued rare public criticism of her successor as the country's center-right leader, the front-runner in Germany's election next month, for putting to parliament proposals for tough new migration rules that only passed with the help...

German parliament backs election front-runner's call for tough border rules with far-right support
BERLIN (AP) — Germany's parliament on Wednesday narrowly approved a call by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's main challenger to turn back many more migrants at the country's borders, with the help of a far-right party — a move that drew strong criticism of the front-runner in the campaign for next...

Germany's government slashes its economic growth forecast for this year to 0.3%
BERLIN (AP) — The German government on Wednesday slashed its 2025 growth forecast for the country's economy, Europe's biggest, to just 0.3% after it shrank for two consecutive years. The new projection is much lower than the government's previous forecast of 1.1% growth, issued in...

Danish leader on European tour as Copenhagen moves to strengthen presence around Greenland
BERLIN (AP) — Denmark's prime minister embarked on a tour of major European capitals Tuesday as the continent faces what she called “a more uncertain reality” and her country moves to strengthen its military presence around Greenland. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen planned...

At Auschwitz memorial, survivors see echoes of the past in rising antisemitism
OSWIECIM, Poland (AP) — Auschwitz survivors warned Monday of the rising antisemitism and hatred they are witnessing in the modern world as they gathered with world leaders and European royalty on the 80th anniversary of the death camp's liberation. In all, 56 survivors gathered...

Thousands in Germany protest the rise of the far right ahead of next month's election
BERLIN (AP) — Tens of thousands of Germans on Saturday protested in Berlin and other cities against the rise of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the Feb. 23 general election. At Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, a huge crowd blew whistles, sang...

Auschwitz was liberated 80 years ago. The spotlight is on survivors as their numbers dwindle
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The world's focus will be on the remaining survivors of Nazi Germany's atrocities on Monday as world leaders and royalty join them for commemorations on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The main observances take place at the site in...

German opposition leader plans migration proposals to parliament in risky pre-election move
BERLIN (AP) — Germany's opposition leader said Friday his party will bring motions to toughen migration policy to parliament next week in one of its last sessions before the country's election, a risky move if they go to a vote and pass with the help of a far-right party. Friedrich...

Scholz's challenger vows tough border rules as attack puts migration in German election spotlight
BERLIN (AP) — Germany's opposition leader vowed Thursday to bar people from entering the country without proper papers and to step up deportations if he is elected chancellor next month, as a knife attack by a rejected asylum-seeker spilled over into an election campaign in which he is the...
