{
  "id": 14986471,
  "title": "Today: Merz und Macron besiegeln Autopakt – Wie Deutschland wieder Kapital anzieht",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/today-merz-und-macron-besiegeln-autopakt-wie-deutschland-wieder-14986471",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T15:12:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/audio/today/today-merz-und-macron-schwaechen-verbrenner-verbot-ab/100262876.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Deutsche Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached an agreement on a major reform of European automotive policy. Merz has urged for a stronger delay of the \"burner phase-out\" from 2035, compared to the EU Commission's initial plans. Industry and China expert Gregor Williams refers to this agreement as a \"two steps forward and one step back\" situation. The main focus of the pact is to understand what Germany needs to attract more capital. Nicole Bastian from Handelsblatt's podcast, live & video department, discussed this topic with leading figures in business and academia during the German summit. Dorothee Blessing, Co-Chief of JP Morgan's investment banking, believes that Germany needs frameworks and investable projects. KKR's Philipp Freise finds Germany's economic substance solid, but the poor sentiment from the past few years still deters international investors. Gabriel Felbermayr, shares a similar view, stating that Germany has a solid economic foundation, but lacks the willingness to change it, even through \"creative destruction\". Economist Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln criticizes the insurance-based dependency on the length of employment in Germany. France is being used as a model for attracting investors.",
  "summary": "Das Verbrenner-Aus ab 2035 soll nach dem Willen von Kanzler Merz stärker aufgeweicht werden. „Zwei Schritte vor, ein Schritt zurück“, findet Industrieexperte Gregor Williams.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Today: Merz und Macron besiegeln Autopakt | Wie Deutschland wieder Kapital anzieht",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/today-merz-und-macron-besiegeln-autopakt-wie-deutschland-wieder",
        "published": "2026-10-16T15:12:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}