News analysis
Merkel faces headache of bridging gap between member-states at EU summit
Some nations want Covid-19 recovery funding to be tied to adherence to democratic norms
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Dr Angela Merkel's task at the EU summit will not be easy but nobody should doubt the German Chancellor's acclaimed attention to detail and negotiating skills, or the huge influence which her country can bring to bear in Europe.
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Germany's presidency of the European Union was supposed to end on a high note today, with Chancellor Angela Merkel chairing a summit from which the union was confidently predicted to emerge strengthened and more cohesive.
It was all planned to be a fitting farewell to the German leader who is soon planning to retire from politics after more than 15 years at the helm of Europe's biggest and wealthiest nation.