Burnham plans first Berlin visit for talks with Merz

BERLIN — U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to travel to Berlin in early October for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to two people familiar with preparations for the visit. The trip will be Burnham’s first to Germany since becoming prime minister in July and will give the two leaders a chance to meet as Britain’s new government looks to put fresh energy into relations with one of its most important European partners. Both Downing Street and the German chancellery declined to comment. Burnham took office on July 20 after replacing Keir Starmer, whose government had come under growing pressure following electoral losses, internal Labour Party disputes and weak public support.