Merkel expects 'difficult negotiations' over EU recovery programme. (picture alliance/dpa)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects an uphill battle to approve the 750-billion-euro coronavirus recovery plan put forward by the European Commission.
"It is clear that there will now be difficult negotiations," Merkel said in Berlin, adding that these would extend beyond the next EU summit.
She said the goal must be scheduling enough time towards the end of the year for negotiations in the European Parliament and the national parliaments so that plans could be ready for next year.
Germany is assuming the rotating EU presidency in the latter half of 2020, starting July 1, and would make "make every effort" to support efforts to find an agreement, Merkel added.
While admitting that she had not yet read the commission's proposal in detail, Merkel said "many, many questions remain," for example on whether the aid will actually help the beleaguered economy and what checks will be put in place.
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