In brief | 6 May '25
DW: Why is Germany's Friedrich Merz, so unpopular?
Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has hit a snag in his attempt to form Germany's new government. His personal popularity is low. Most Germans don't trust him, not least because of his approach to the far-right AfD.
Bloomberg: Spain discloses new power grid failure on day of the blackout
Spain’s high-voltage electricity grid suffered more power generation disruptions than previously known ahead of the country’s largest ever blackout, the government said.
Reuters: EU to set out plans to halt Russian gas imports by end-2027
The European Union will publish plans today to ban new Russian gas deals by the end of this year, and phase out existing contracts with Moscow by the end of 2027.
FT: European and UK companies lay bare the pain from Donald Trump’s trade war
Executives warn about the challenges facing businesses and the destabilising effect of prolonged uncertainty.
Eurostat: EU household gas prices rise in the second half of 2024
EU marks highest recorded household prices since data collection began in 2008. The increase is largely driven by raised taxes in many EU countries, as earlier alleviation measures were scaled back.
Eurostat: Household electricity prices in the EU stable in 2024
Germany reported the highest electricity prices at €39.43 per 100 kWh, followed by Denmark (€37.63) and Ireland (€36.99). In contrast, the lowest prices were observed in Hungary (€10.32), Bulgaria (€12.17) and Malta (€13.01).
