Friedrich Merz is set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni in Rome. This will be Merz's first official visit to Italy since taking office, and it is expected that the two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including the ongoing migration crisis and European Union policy. The meeting comes as part of Merz's efforts to strengthen Germany's relationships with its European partners.

Meanwhile, in a significant shift in policy, Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has expressed support for Germany's recently introduced stricter border controls. The measures, which include increased checks with neighboring countries and the potential for turning away asylum-seekers at the border, have been implemented in an attempt to manage the influx of refugees and uphold the EU's Dublin agreement.

Austria has agreed to cooperate on deportations to Syria and Afghanistan, and Interior Minister Karner has noted that the number of illegal migrants entering the country has decreased significantly as a result of Germany's new policy.

In domestic politics, the business-focused Free Democratic Party (FDP) has chosen a new leader following poor election results. Former Finance Minister and party leader Christian Lindner stepped down after the FDP's failure to make significant gains in the last election, and the party is now looking to rebrand and recover from the setback. The new leadership is likely to focus on economic issues and maintaining a strong voice within the coalition government.

Lastly, a police officer in Berlin was seriously injured in an attack. The incident occurred while the officer was attempting to apprehend a suspect, who reportedly resisted arrest and used a weapon. The assailant was also injured and taken into custody. This event underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers in their line of duty and may lead to further discussions on public safety and policing strategies.