Merkel says not expecting deal on EU recovery plan at June summit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday said she did not expect EU leaders to sign off on a proposed 750-billion-euro coronavirus recovery plan for the bloc at their summit in June, predicting "tough negotiations" ahead.

"It's clear that we're headed for tough negotiations, they will not be concluded at the next EU Council," she told reporters in Berlin.

"The goal should be to have enough time in the autumn for national parliaments and for the European Parliament to examine things so it can all go into effect on Jan 1, 2021."