British PM says new talks ‘just at the start’ as EU leaders resist changes to deal

Five Star leader’s comments come with Italy locked in tussle with EU over spending plans

German regional PM says disorderly break-up could be more serious than Lehman collapse

UK says crunch Commons vote on withdrawal agreement will be held by January 21

Party’s rightwing frustrated by election of Angela Merkel’s favoured successor  

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer beats more conservative rivals to safeguard chancellor’s legacy

Kramp-Karrenbauer bests two conservative rivals and faces Merz in runoff

Restoring unity is priority for winner while splits over German leader’s legacy deepen

Rival endorsements by high-profile figures expose ideological divide in ruling party

Party grandee says chancellor’s former rival will best restore conservative identity

Meeting comes as Donald Trump threatens to impose heavy import duties on European vehicles

Seizure of Ukrainian ships prompts calls to reappraise Nord Stream 2

German chancellor to miss first day of summit after aircraft hit by technical fault

The candidate for CDU leadership aims to strengthen the party by shifting it to the right

German finance minister wants bloc to be more united in foreign policy

The choice of a new leader will determine whether the Christian Democrats want to be a truly conservative party

Frontrunner to head party draws suspicion from voters who like their leaders low-key

CDU leadership candidate Friedrich Merz says postwar constitution may need to change

Complete stop on all arms sales to the kingdom imposed

Financing could still be tough to agree and faces resistance from other EU members

Merz wins cheers with pledge to weaken far-right AfD as leadership debates kick off

Alice Weidel suspected of violating German law on party finances

Chancellor’s support comes as Trump again attacks French president’s stance on defence

Move is latest stage of complex changing of the guard at summit of German politics