SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 14, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel wanted to ignore the Alternative for Germany. But with the anti-euro party gaining ground, many among her conservatives say it is time to change strategy. They are concerned that the currency heretics could cost Merkel her re-election. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 08, 2013
German elections are four months away, and Angela Merkel is on a feel-good campaign. Visits to schools, a summit for female leaders and peaks into her private life are all meant to reassure German voters that all is well. But this requires her to put governing on hold -- a strategy that carries a number of risks. By Philipp Wittrock and Florian Gathmann more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 23, 2013
German Labor Minister Ursula von der Leyen has angered Germany's conservatives by openly challenging Chancellor Angela Merkel's authority with her fight for a gender quota. Yet with her bold, risk-taking approach to politics, she also offers an alternative to the chancellor's hesitant style. By Markus Dettmer, Peter Müller and René Pfister more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 28, 2013
Germany is home to some 4 million Muslims. With the long Easter weekend around the corner, a leading member of the country's Muslim community has called for legal recognition of two Muslim holidays, drawing criticism from among Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling conservatives. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 11, 2013
Chancellor Merkel's conservatives officially oppose giving same-sex civil unions the same status as heterosexual marriages -- despite polls that show the majority of their voters would support such a measure. Now some of her allies are toying with the idea of siding with the opposition on the issue. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 05, 2013
Last week, it looked as though Angela Merkel's conservatives were prepared to reverse course on extending more rights to same-sex couples. But now the German chancellor has confirmed her party's opposition. As another high-court ruling approaches, however, it won't last. By Charles Hawley more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 25, 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats are rapidly changing their approach on same-sex marriage rights and are considering extending marital tax benefits. But some German conservatives remain opposed. Commentators on Monday say the debate could hurt the party in fall elections. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 20, 2013
Hardly a campaign season goes by in Germany without at least one bout of hand-wringing over the twin issues of immigration and integration. And this year, as comments on Monday and Tuesday have shown, is shaping up to be no different. Suddenly everyone is talking about the country's tortured approach to dual-citizenship -- and whether that approach should be changed to allow people to hold two passports.
By Charles Hawley more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 31, 2013
Following her party's failure in a major state election, Chancellor Angela Merkel is distancing herself from her junior coalition partner, the business-friendly Free Democrats. It is a risky move, and could indicate that she is aiming at a partnership with the opposition Social Democrats. By SPIEGEL Staff
more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 22, 2013
Political pundits had begun writing off Peer Steinbrück, the Social Democrat nominee to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in general elections this September. But the SPD's victory in Lower Saxony has given the gaffe-prone politician a reprieve. The result shows Merkel is vulnerable despite her popularity. By David Crossland more... [ Forum ]
