Merkel is bowing out of German politics at the next federal election in September after nearly 16 years as chancellor. “Even though there is reason to be hopeful, the pandemic isn’t over, particularly in the world’s poor countries,” said Merkel. In Germany, the Delta variant now makes up about 15 percent of new cases, according to the Robert Koch Institute. EU must ‘seek direct contact with Putin’Merkel also said the EU should seek direct talks with President Vladimir Putin even as it stands together against “provocations”. “In my opinion, we as the European Union must also seek direct contact with Russia and the Russian president,” she told parliament.

Source: The Local June 24, 2021 10:52 UTC