Arne Delfs

Stay informed with Arne Delfs’s coverage and analysis for Fortune.

14 March 2025, Berlin: Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag and CDU federal chairman, makes a statement after the parliamentary group meeting in the Bundestag. After lengthy discussions, the parliamentary group leaders of the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens have reached an agreement on a billion-euro defense and infrastructure package. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa (Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Germany’s landmark spending bill wins final lawmaker approval

By Arne Delfs, Kamil Kowalcze, and others

A protester wears an Elon Musk face mask and holds a sign that says, "I love fascism"

Musk’s election interference is rattling German political class

By Bloomberg, Arne Delfs, and others

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Elon Musk is seen at the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships on September 08, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Tesla may help far-right secure victory in German state election

By Arne Delfs and Bloomberg

Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defense minister, speaks during an interview on day two of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. The 60th Munich Security Conference runs through Feb. 18, at a time Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is soon to reach a third year. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Failure to back Ukraine aid could hurt US economy and defense contractors, says Germany: ‘We shouldn’t take freedom for granted’

By Arne Delfs and Bloomberg

20 June 2023, Berlin: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, r) and Li Qiang, Premier of China, shake hands after the press statement at the German-Chinese government consultations in the Federal Chancellery. The consultations between the heads of government and several other cabinet members from both sides have been taking place since 2011 and are now in their seventh year. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)

German chancellor downplays EU’s anti-subsidy probe into China’s electric vehicles: ‘What is the problem?’

By Michael Nienaber, Arne Delfs, and others

KHERSON, UKRAINE – JUNE 07: A Ukrainian senior woman is being evacuated by officers after the explosion at the Kakhovka hydropower plant that flooded houses and streets in Kherson, Ukraine on June 07, 2023. (Photo by Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Ukraine’s allies are blaming Russia for the destruction of a major dam and flooding affecting thousands: ‘This is a crystal clear war crime’

By Arne Delfs and Bloomberg

30 April 2022, Schleswig-Holstein, Ahrensburg: Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) speaks at a campaign event of her party for the Schleswig-Holstein state elections on May 8. Photo: Markus Scholz/dpa (Photo by Markus Scholz/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Russia sanctions won’t end until troops withdraw from all of Ukraine—including Crimea—Germany says

By Arne Delfs and Bloomberg

BERLIN, GERMANY – DECEMBER 08: Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at the stands to watch a session at the Bundestag to formally elect the country’s next Chancellor at the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, on December 8, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. The new German federal coalition government of German Social Democrats (SPD), Greens Party and German Free Democrats (FDP) is taking office today with a new chancellor and cabinet, officially succeeding the outgoing government of former chancellor Angela Merkel. (Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)

Angela Merkel’s 16-year rule ends as German parliament elects Olaf Scholz chancellor

By Patrick Donahue, Arne Delfs, and others

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on during a press conference following a meeting via video conference with the heads of government of Germany’s federal states at the Chancellery in Berlin on August 10, 2021. – The Chancellor met with the regional leaders to discuss subjects such as Covid-19 vaccinations and flood relief. (Photo by CHRISTIAN MANG / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MANG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Merkel to Germans: Get your COVID-19 vaccine, or pay up

By Arne Delfs and Bloomberg

German army emergency personnel load portable isolation unit into their ambulance that was used to transport Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny at Charite hospital on August 22, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Growing evidence points to Navalny’s poisoning by a military grade nerve agent, putting international pressure on Vladimir Putin. Wire photography: Maja Hitij—Getty Images

Pressure builds on Merkel to exit Russian pipeline deal to punish Putin

By Arne Delfs and Bloomberg

“I am firmly convinced that it is a good decision to take on a high degree of debt because anything else would mean we would be in the grip of the pandemic for a lot longer,” German chancellor Angela Merkel said in her annual summer address on Friday in Berlin.

‘Things will become more difficult:’ Merkel tries to sell debt-averse Germany on her ambitious COVID spending plan

By Arne Delfs, Raymond Colitt, and others

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to the media at the Chancellery at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (unseen), during the coronavirus crisis on May 18, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. The two leaders announced they intend to launch a joint European Union recovery initiative to the tune of EUR 500 billion.

Merkel and Macron join forces for $500 billion EU COVID-19 aid package

By Arne Delfs, Ania Nussbaum, and others