Table of Contents
- 1 In her memoirs, the former German chancellor talks about conducting politics with Putin and Trump and about the position of Ukraine | This is, among other things, what we write about in Thursday’s briefing from Europe
- 2 BERLIN
- 3 ROME
- 4 WARSAW
- 5 VATICAN
- 6 BRATISLAVA | BELGRADE
- 7 **How do Angela Merkel’s memoirs illuminate the ongoing challenges of navigating individual national interests within the European Union, particularly in light of recent events like Brexit and the rise of populism?**
In her memoirs, the former German chancellor talks about conducting politics with Putin and Trump and about the position of Ukraine | This is, among other things, what we write about in Thursday’s briefing from Europe
BERLIN
Merkel‘s memories. The former German chancellor, who held this position for a decade and a half, tells how he treated her Donald Trumpwhat he said about politics Vladimir Putin and what it was like to live in the GDR.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
(Michalina Szpyrka | EURACTIV.pl)
ROME
Italians divided over Fitto’s nomination. The former Italian minister for European affairs, approved on Wednesday as deputy head of the European Commission, cannot count on the support of all political forces from his country. The Greens confirm plans to boycott the new European Commission.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
( Alessia Peretti | EURACTIV.it | Translation by Kinga Basińska)
WARSAW
A PiS MP asks Trump for help. Arkadiusz Mularczyk in a letter published on X, he asks the US president-elect Donald Trump for support for the demand for Germany to pay war reparations to Poland.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
( Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.pl)
VATICAN
Christmas tradition is in danger. Plans to cut down a nearly 200-year-old fir tree and give it to Pope Francis to decorate St. Peter’s Square have sparked opposition from Trento residents.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
BRATISLAVA | BELGRADE
Slovakia supports Serbia in the Kosovo case. Slovakia announced that it would again send troops to the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, which it does not recognize as an independent state.
FULL ARTICLE BELOW
(Zuzana Gabrizova | EurActiv.sk | Translation by Aleksandra Krzysztoszek)
## World Today News: In-Depth Analysis
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re diving deep into the top stories shaping Europe, engaging in insightful conversations with experts.**
**Our guests today are:**
* **[Guest 1 Name & Title/Expertise]:** [Brief introduction highlighting relevant experience]
* **[Guest 2 Name & Title/Expertise]:** [Brief introduction highlighting relevant experience]
**Section 1: Merkel’s Memoirs: A Window into European Politics**
**Host:** Angela Merkel’s memoirs offer a unique glimpse into the inner workings of European politics. [Guest 1], how significant are her insights on dealing with leaders like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin? What do these reflections reveal about the challenges of navigating international relations at the time?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], Merkel’s perspectives on her time in the GDR are particularly interesting. How might her experiences in East Germany have shaped her political approach and worldview?
**Guest 2:**
*Discussion on Merkel’s insights on political leadership, international diplomacy, and the impact of her past experiences.*
**Section 2: Divided Italy and the Future of the European Commission **
**Host:** The appointment of Italy’s Silvio Fitto as deputy head of the European Commission has sparked division within Italy itself. [Guest 2], what are the main concerns driving this division, and how might they impact Fitto’s effectiveness in his role?
**Guest 2:**
**Host:** [Guest 1], given the Green party’s boycott plans, how do you see this impacting the European Commission’s overall agenda and legitimacy?
**Guest 1:**
*Discussion on the political climate in Italy, the potential impact of political divisions on the EU, and the implications of the Greens’ boycott plan
.**
**Section 3: Reparations, Christmas Traditions, and Geopolitical Tensions**
**Host:** Let’s move to other European developments. [Guest 1], a Polish MP has called on Donald Trump for support regarding reparations from Germany. How realistic is this request, and what are the potential implications for Polish-German relations?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], the controversy surrounding the Vatican’s Christmas tree traditions highlights a clash between tradition and environmental concerns. How do you see this debate unfolding, and what might it tell us about the broader societal values at play?
**Guest 2:**
**Host:** Slovakia’s decision to support Serbia in the Kosovo case through troop deployment raises questions about Kosovo’s status and regional stability. [Guest 1], how will this move affect the already complex geopolitical dynamics in the Balkans?
**Guest 1:**
*Discussion on the reparations debate, the balance between tradition and environmental concerns, Kosovan independence, and regional stability in the Balkans.*
**Closing Remarks**
**Host:** Thank you both for your insightful analysis and for shedding light on these critical issues facing Europe.
***
