The European Commission has opened an investigation under its Foreign Subsidies Regulation into Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com's €2.2 billion proposed takeover of German electronics retailer Ceconomy -- the first time the rules, designed to prevent state-backed firms gaining an unfair edge in the EU single market, have been applied to a Chinese deal. The Commission said JD.com "may have received foreign subsidies distorting the EU internal market," citing possible "preferential financing, tax incentives and grants" potentially attributable to the Chinese government; JD.com rejected the concerns and said the deal would be financed "by bank loans and cash from our ordinary activities." Ceconomy owns MediaMarkt, Saturn and MediaWorld -- more than 1,000 stores across Germany, Italy, Spain and Austria -- and holds a 22 percent stake in France's Fnac Darty; the Commission was notified on 17 April and has 90 working days, until 2 October 2026, to decide.

The condition of a US doctor infected with the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus at Berlin's Charité hospital is improving, with lab values nearly normal, according to infectious disease director Leif Erik Sander. The case has exposed gaps in Germany's preparedness for biological hazards, prompting Health Minister Nina Warken to announce a draft health security law by summer. The patient's wife and four children remain in separate quarantine with no symptoms and are receiving a preventive antibody treatment.

German Finance Minister and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil faces growing internal party pressure as he enforces budget cuts, including potential reductions to housing and parental benefits. The SPD has dropped from 16.4% to 12% in polls since the election, and Klingbeil must navigate conflicting roles as minister, vice chancellor, and party chief. The coalition is also negotiating an income tax reform before the summer recess, with differences between the SPD and CDU/CSU still unresolved.

Germany's defense ministry has proposed legislation to compel reservists to serve even in peacetime, expanding current rules that only allow mandatory duty during a state of tension or defense. The draft law, published on the ministry's website, aims to ensure reliable availability of reserves for national security. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has set a target of 260,000 active troops and a fully equipped reserve of 200,000 soldiers.

Germany's armed forces have ordered more than 2,000 logistic trucks from Rheinmetall in a deal worth approximately €1 billion, as part of efforts to strengthen the Bundeswehr amid heightened European security concerns. The order includes 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 variants, with deliveries starting in 2026. The purchase supports Chancellor Friedrich Merz's goal of building the strongest conventional army in the EU and addresses logistics weaknesses highlighted by military leaders warning of a potential Russian threat by 2029.

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, a CDU politician and former energy industry executive, has drawn criticism for reversing climate policies of her Green predecessor, including scrapping a mandate for renewable heating systems and cutting solar subsidies. She plans to build new gas-fired power plants and prioritize affordability, but faces internal coalition disputes and a stagnant economy amid global shocks like the US-Iran war. Her recent visit to China seeks investment in renewables and e-mobility.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has intensified his public criticism of EU regulation, blaming Brussels for overregulation that he claims hampers economic growth and deters investment. However, analysis reveals that EU member states themselves frequently request regulation to resolve trade disputes and protect national industries. EU single-market rules are a powerful tool for projecting European values and defending against geo-economic threats from the US and China. Merz's stance has resonated with other European leaders like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who joined him in calling for an 'emergency brake' on new EU regulation. The article argues that Merz misunderstands the EU's regulatory role and that member states, not just Brussels, drive the demand for rules.

The Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg ruled that Russian conscripts do not automatically qualify for subsidiary protection in Germany solely due to the risk of military service. The court found no credible threat of being forced into combat in Ukraine, aligning with other German higher court rulings. The decision can be appealed to the Federal Administrative Court.