Whatever qualms Chancellor Olaf Scholz may have had about being too dependent on other countries appear to have evaporated in the storm clouds enveloping the German economy.

But like most bets made under duress, his China gambit is far from a sure thing.
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Belgium has opened an investigation into the pro-Russian propaganda network which is accused of paying MEPs to promote the Kremlin’s agenda.

Here's what you need to know 👇
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OPINION: With the upcoming European election, the Continent’s national governments, Europol and all relevant agencies should be ready to counter the likely uptick in Russian intelligence targeting Europe.

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The EU election is 55 days away.

🗳️ Here’s everything you need to know before you head to the ballot box.

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Germany voted in favor of the Self-Determination Act.

The law makes it easier for transgender, intersex and non-binary people to change their gender entry at the country’s registry office.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is beset by record-low approval ratings and a fractious coalition.

So a visit to China is an opportunity not to just prove he has global standing — but to show voters he'll do whatever it takes to preserve Germany.

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The euro slumped to its lowest level this year on Friday, in a delayed reaction to European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde's signaling on Thursday that the bank is willing to cut interest rates before her U.S. counterparts.

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— Keir Starmer’s defense day was overshadowed by Greater Manchester Police announcing an investigation into Angela Rayner’s living arrangements.

— SCOOP: Grant Shapps had govt SpAds chanting about defense spending. 

Read more in London Playbook PM:

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In a leaked EU priority list for the rest of the decade, the only mention of “environment” is a promise to create a “business-friendly environment.” 

The draft serves as a neat illustration of leaders' shifting priorities: Bullets, not bees. 

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UK Energy Minister Graham Stuart has quit government ahead of the next general election.

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Georgia is falling behind other candidate countries in the race to open EU accession talks.

And fears are growing in Brussels that the ruling Georgian Dream party isn’t just dragging its feet on key reforms but actively derailing the entire process.

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The Bank of England’s forecasting needs an urgent revamp, said ex-US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke.

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In anticipation of his big trip to China, Olaf Scholz joined TikTok, promising “not to dance.”

But don’t be fooled: Scholz has been dancing to China’s tune for some time. This trip will be no different.

Berlin Bulletin has more 👇
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On the lookout for daily coverage of the World Bank Group & IMF Spring Meetings starting this Wednesday? Look no further than Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter reporting on major 🌍 gatherings. Never miss a beat from world events. trib.al/DWHicex

The EU will haul Germany to court unless the country revises a controversial gas law that neighboring countries say is harming their efforts to diversify away from Russian energy, a senior European Commission official told POLITICO.

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French arms sales to Israel have been hit by legal action.

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The lead candidate for the European People's Party, Ursula von der Leyen, continues to rack up controversies.

But her party is less focused on campaigning for the EU election and more focused on showcasing her pink jackets.

EU Confidential explores why: trib.al/zFmHBoD

Labour Leader Keir Starmer is 'fully confident' Angela Rayner will be cleared by a police investigation into the tax row engulfing the party.

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'If the algorithms that suggest content on a given platform tend to suggest English-speaking content, in the long term I think that's a threat to the place of the French language,' said French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

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