Merkel's party leader to hold security council meeting on energy crisis

In Germany on 20 April 2026, Friedrich Merz planned a meeting of the national security council on the energy crisis, with fuel supply the issue. Merz also tempered expectations for what the council can achieve.

Merz sees no basis for a US intervention in Cuba. Ahead of talks with Merz, Brazil's president Lula called Trump's war 'madness'. On domestic politics, Merz said he wants to talk 'very seriously' with the SPD and called for more accommodation from the SPD in the black-red coalition, with more reforms needed.