Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Germany Takes Over EU Presidency at Challenging Time

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - The European Union's most powerful member, Germany, takes over
   the bloc's rotating presidency in July amid a raft of challenges-- from
   COVID-19 and the economic devastation it has wrought, to Brexit, trade
   with China and tensions with the United States.
   Germany's presidency comes as its leader, Angela Merkel -- the European
   Union's longest serving current head of state -- is expected to leave
   office next year. Both she and the bloc have a long list of challenges.
   '¯

   On the EU's immediate agenda is overcoming differences to push through
   an 843 billion-dollar coronavirus recovery fund, aimed at boosting a
   so-called green economic reboot. Then there is getting agreement on the
   EU's next multi-year budget, with a proposed price tag of more than a
   trillion dollars.'¯

.