German CDU proposes trial for border rejections in Europe

In Berlin, Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz from the CDU-EPP proposed a three-month trial period for turning back refugees at Germany's borders if their first EU country of entry was not Germany. This suggestion aligns with similar ideas previously discussed by the governing coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The proposal reflects ongoing debates in Europe regarding migration policies and border control, particularly in light of the challenges faced by various EU member states in managing refugee inflows. Additionally, the political landscape in Europe is shifting, with Germany's Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer party working to strengthen left-conservative ties in the European Parliament. However, they acknowledged that forming a new political group is still a distant goal. This development indicates a potential realignment of political forces within the EU, as parties seek to navigate complex issues like migration and economic cooperation. In France, Prime Minister Michel Barnier reiterated the country's opposition to the EU-Mercosur free trade deal, expressing a desire to seek a blocking minority to prevent its finalization at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil. This stance highlights the ongoing tensions within the EU regarding trade agreements and the differing priorities of member states. Moreover, the Irish Data Protection Commission has launched an inquiry into Google's handling of EU citizens' data concerning its AI model, PaLM2. This investigation underscores the increasing scrutiny tech companies face regarding compliance with privacy laws, reflecting broader concerns about data protection in the digital age.