http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:32:25 +0200 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:32:25 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/samaras-government-in-greece-survives-broadcaster-battle-a-906466.html#ref=rss Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras almost fell over his decision last week to shut down public broadcaster ERT. But on Monday night, an unexpected court ruling helped him stay in power. How long will the peace last? Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/samaras-government-in-greece-survives-broadcaster-battle-a-906466.html Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras almost fell over his decision last week to shut down public broadcaster ERT. But on Monday night, an unexpected court ruling helped him stay in power. How long will the peace last?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/relations-between-germany-and-russia-enter-new-ice-age-a-906203.html#ref=rss The relationship between Berlin and Moscow has been strained for some time. But German President Joachim Gauck's recent public admonition of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin seems to have sunk the two countries into a new diplomatic ice age. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/relations-between-germany-and-russia-enter-new-ice-age-a-906203.html The relationship between Berlin and Moscow has been strained for some time. But German President Joachim Gauck's recent public admonition of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin seems to have sunk the two countries into a new diplomatic ice age. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/how-pep-guardiola-came-to-bayern-munich-a-905688.html#ref=rss Wildly successful football coach Pep Guardiola sought out Bayern Munich as his next challenge. But he is arriving just after the team had one of the most successful seasons the Bundesliga has ever seen. Will he stand up to the pressure? Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/how-pep-guardiola-came-to-bayern-munich-a-905688.html Wildly successful football coach Pep Guardiola sought out Bayern Munich as his next challenge. But he is arriving just after the team had one of the most successful seasons the Bundesliga has ever seen. Will he stand up to the pressure?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-trip-to-romania-offers-unsettling-answers-to-roma-influx-a-905155.html#ref=rss Large numbers of Roma immigrants from southeastern Europe are proving to be a serious integration problem for many cities, including Berlin. A local politician recently traveled to Romania to learn more about the challenge. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:53:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-trip-to-romania-offers-unsettling-answers-to-roma-influx-a-905155.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-economist-sergei-guriev-putin-fears-all-opposition-a-905306.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, prominent Russian economist and former government adviser Sergei Guriev discusses the Kremlin's retaliation campaign against the opposition and why he recently fled to France. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-economist-sergei-guriev-putin-fears-all-opposition-a-905306.html In a SPIEGEL interview, prominent Russian economist and former government adviser Sergei Guriev discusses the Kremlin's retaliation campaign against the opposition and why he recently fled to France.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/young-women-from-britain-in-1930s-nazi-germany-a-905617.html#ref=rss In the 1930s, many English families sent their daughters to finishing school in Nazi Germany. Rachel Johnson, sister of the London mayor, interviewed several for her most recent book. She told SPIEGEL ONLINE about Britain's enthusiasm for Hitler's Reich. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:56:13 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/young-women-from-britain-in-1930s-nazi-germany-a-905617.html In the 1930s, many English families sent their daughters to finishing school in Nazi Germany. Rachel Johnson, sister of the London mayor, interviewed several for her most recent book. She told SPIEGEL ONLINE about Britain's enthusiasm for Hitler's Reich.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/culture-wars-france-could-derail-trade-deal-with-exceptions-a-905535.html#ref=rss This week, EU member states are expected to give the green light on talks for a wide-reaching trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement. But French demands for films and culture to be exempted from negotiations could stall or derail the plan. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/culture-wars-france-could-derail-trade-deal-with-exceptions-a-905535.html This week, EU member states are expected to give the green light on talks for a wide-reaching trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement. But French demands for films and culture to be exempted from negotiations could stall or derail the plan.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/erdogan-crackdown-could-threaten-eu-membership-talks-a-905344.html#ref=rss The crackdown against protesters in Istanbul by the Turkish government creates a dilemma for the EU. The Europeans don't want to tolerate violence against demonstrators, but they also don't want to lose Erdogan as a partner. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/erdogan-crackdown-could-threaten-eu-membership-talks-a-905344.html The crackdown against protesters in Istanbul by the Turkish government creates a dilemma for the EU. The Europeans don't want to tolerate violence against demonstrators, but they also don't want to lose Erdogan as a partner. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russia-passes-law-banning-homosexual-propaganda-a-905287.html#ref=rss On Tuesday, Russia passed a federal law against gay "propaganda" in an effort to protect the young from supposedly harmful influences. In addition to facing widespread animosity and frequent violence, gay Russians now fear that they will be stripped of their voice and public face. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russia-passes-law-banning-homosexual-propaganda-a-905287.html On Tuesday, Russia passed a federal law against gay "propaganda" in an effort to protect the young from supposedly harmful influences. In addition to facing widespread animosity and frequent violence, gay Russians now fear that they will be stripped of their voice and public face. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-high-court-skeptical-of-ecb-bond-buying-a-905246.html#ref=rss Germany's high court on Tuesday made clear that it was skeptical of the ECB's program to buy unlimited quantities of sovereign bonds from struggling euro-zone member states. It could strike down the most successful tool in combating the crisis. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-high-court-skeptical-of-ecb-bond-buying-a-905246.html Germany's high court on Tuesday made clear that it was skeptical of the ECB's program to buy unlimited quantities of sovereign bonds from struggling euro-zone member states. It could strike down the most successful tool in combating the crisis.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-wwii-bomber-raised-from-english-channel-a-904980.html#ref=rss A German bomber from World War II, shot down in 1940, was salvaged on Monday evening. The Dornier Do-17 is the last of its kind and will be restored and then put on display in the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, London. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-wwii-bomber-raised-from-english-channel-a-904980.html A German bomber from World War II, shot down in 1940, was salvaged on Monday evening. The Dornier Do-17 is the last of its kind and will be restored and then put on display in the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, London. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/top-economist-attacks-bundesbank-opposition-to-bond-buying-a-904888.html#ref=rss With its opposition to the ECB's bond-buying policy, the German central bank is pursuing a risky strategy that may stem in part from a desire to enhance its own power. Germany's Constitutional Court will hold a key hearing on bond buying this week. Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:16:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/top-economist-attacks-bundesbank-opposition-to-bond-buying-a-904888.html With its opposition to the ECB's bond-buying policy, the German central bank is pursuing a risky strategy that may stem in part from a desire to enhance its own power. Germany's Constitutional Court will hold a key hearing on bond buying this week. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/foodies-fight-to-protect-the-term-restaurant-with-seal-in-france-a-904880.html#ref=rss An increasing number of establishments in France are serving pre-made food to their customers. Old-school foodies want to put a stop to the practice with an initiative to apply the term "restaurant" only to places that serve fresh food made on site. Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:08:44 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/foodies-fight-to-protect-the-term-restaurant-with-seal-in-france-a-904880.html An increasing number of establishments in France are serving pre-made food to their customers. Old-school foodies want to put a stop to the practice with an initiative to apply the term "restaurant" only to places that serve fresh food made on site. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-high-court-considers-challenge-to-ecb-bond-purchases-a-904745.html#ref=rss Germany's highest court is currently reviewing the European Central Bank's controversial bond-buying program to shore up euro-zone crisis countries. A decision in Karlsruhe could determine the common currency's fate. Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-high-court-considers-challenge-to-ecb-bond-purchases-a-904745.html Germany's highest court is currently reviewing the European Central Bank's controversial bond-buying program to shore up euro-zone crisis countries. A decision in Karlsruhe could determine the common currency's fate.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/heavy-flooding-now-threatens-northern-germany-and-hungary-a-904344.html#ref=rss The dramatic flooding that has engulfed parts of Central Europe this week is moving north and east. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Northern Germany are bracing for peak water levels as those in other areas begin to survey the fall-out. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/heavy-flooding-now-threatens-northern-germany-and-hungary-a-904344.html The dramatic flooding that has engulfed parts of Central Europe this week is moving north and east. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Northern Germany are bracing for peak water levels as those in other areas begin to survey the fall-out. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/erdogan-plays-dangerous-game-by-ignoring-protester-demands-a-904188.html#ref=rss Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is driving a wedge through his country. While one half reveres him as a savior, the other reviles him as a dictator. By continuing to condemn his opponents and ignore their demands, he is playing a dangerous game. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/erdogan-plays-dangerous-game-by-ignoring-protester-demands-a-904188.html Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is driving a wedge through his country. While one half reveres him as a savior, the other reviles him as a dictator. By continuing to condemn his opponents and ignore their demands, he is playing a dangerous game.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-flooding-expected-to-peak-in-eastern-germany-a-904116.html#ref=rss Flooding continued to overwhelm parts of Germany on Thursday, prompting Angela Merkel to visit affected communities. The country will provide as much aid to victims as it can afford, the chancellor said. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-flooding-expected-to-peak-in-eastern-germany-a-904116.html Flooding continued to overwhelm parts of Germany on Thursday, prompting Angela Merkel to visit affected communities. The country will provide as much aid to victims as it can afford, the chancellor said. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-union-says-no-aid-money-available-for-flood-victims-a-904103.html#ref=rss Germany and several of its neighbors have been battling record flooding for days. But the European Union said on Wednesday that the aid fund for such disasters is depleted. The bloc's budget deadlock means that Central Europe will have to go it alone. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-union-says-no-aid-money-available-for-flood-victims-a-904103.html Germany and several of its neighbors have been battling record flooding for days. But the European Union said on Wednesday that the aid fund for such disasters is depleted. The bloc's budget deadlock means that Central Europe will have to go it alone.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-imf-admits-serious-mistakes-on-greek-bailout-a-904093.html#ref=rss The International Monetary Fund conceded on Wednesday that it lowered its own standards on the Greek bailout, underestimating the effects of austerity and making overly optimistic projections for Greece's economy. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-imf-admits-serious-mistakes-on-greek-bailout-a-904093.html The International Monetary Fund conceded on Wednesday that it lowered its own standards on the Greek bailout, underestimating the effects of austerity and making overly optimistic projections for Greece's economy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/economic-decline-in-france-the-failed-leadership-of-hollande-a-903732.html#ref=rss France is in the grip of a crisis. As both its economy and European influence weaken, scandal has hobbled its political elite. The country needs drastic overhaul, but President Hollande does nothing but waver and hesitate. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/economic-decline-in-france-the-failed-leadership-of-hollande-a-903732.html France is in the grip of a crisis. As both its economy and European influence weaken, scandal has hobbled its political elite. The country needs drastic overhaul, but President Hollande does nothing but waver and hesitate.]]>