Germany's would-be next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, won lawmakers' approval to loosen strict debt rules for higher defense spending as doubts mount about the strength of the trans-Atlantic alliance.

The agreement between centrist parties, led by the likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, was billed as a response to America’s shrinking security guarantees.

This is the largest contract of its kind in Germany, setting a precedent for hydrogen adoption in heavy industry. For TotalEnergies, it provides a crucial supply of clean hydrogen to help slash emissions at its refinery in Leuna, while for RWE, it guarantees a long-term customer for its expanding hydrogen production.