http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:18:30 +0200 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:18:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-anti-euro-figures-in-germany-offer-vague-ideas-and-fan-fears-a-906675.html#ref=rss Many Germans believe it is time to abandon the euro. They're part of a growing movement spurred by influential populists from the worlds of business and academia. Their arguments stoke fear but offer no clear alternatives. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:19:32 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-anti-euro-figures-in-germany-offer-vague-ideas-and-fan-fears-a-906675.html Many Germans believe it is time to abandon the euro. They're part of a growing movement spurred by influential populists from the worlds of business and academia. Their arguments stoke fear but offer no clear alternatives.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cyprus-asks-for-improvements-to-bailout-deal-a-906558.html#ref=rss In a letter to euro-zone leaders, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has asked that the bailout package for his country be revisited. The effects on the island nation's economy have been much greater than expected, he writes. EU leaders are "puzzled." Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:45:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cyprus-asks-for-improvements-to-bailout-deal-a-906558.html In a letter to euro-zone leaders, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has asked that the bailout package for his country be revisited. The effects on the island nation's economy have been much greater than expected, he writes. EU leaders are "puzzled."]]> 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/germany/italians-flock-to-berlin-to-join-flourishing-start-up-scene-a-903908.html#ref=rss With the economy at home in the doldrums, entrepreneurs from Italy have been flocking to Berlin recently. The job opportunities are plentiful and there is a growing Italian community within Germany's vibrant high-tech start-up scene. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/italians-flock-to-berlin-to-join-flourishing-start-up-scene-a-903908.html With the economy at home in the doldrums, entrepreneurs from Italy have been flocking to Berlin recently. The job opportunities are plentiful and there is a growing Italian community within Germany's vibrant high-tech start-up scene.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/oecd-study-finds-large-numbers-of-immigrants-leave-germany-a-905583.html#ref=rss Is Germany a dreamland for immigrants? Not entirely. According to a new OECD study, more than half the Greeks and Spaniards who come to Germany leave within a year. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/oecd-study-finds-large-numbers-of-immigrants-leave-germany-a-905583.html Is Germany a dreamland for immigrants? Not entirely. According to a new OECD study, more than half the Greeks and Spaniards who come to Germany leave within a year. ]]> 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-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/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/greece-wants-to-slow-public-sector-layoffs-to-avoid-unrest-a-903868.html#ref=rss Huge protests, massive strikes and tear gas: That is the horror scenario that is driving the Greek government to ask for more time to lay off thousands of public sector workers. Athens doesn't want to scare away tourists in the summer season. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greece-wants-to-slow-public-sector-layoffs-to-avoid-unrest-a-903868.html Huge protests, massive strikes and tear gas: That is the horror scenario that is driving the Greek government to ask for more time to lay off thousands of public sector workers. Athens doesn't want to scare away tourists in the summer season.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/imf-executve-board-criticizes-euro-zone-crisis-management-a-903426.html#ref=rss The EU's bailout of Cyprus has elicited unusually frank and vehement criticism from the finance experts grouped in the IMF's Executive Board. Their damning indictment at an IMF meeting in May reflects global skepticism, especially in emerging economies, about the euro zone's crisis management.  Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:32:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/imf-executve-board-criticizes-euro-zone-crisis-management-a-903426.html The EU's bailout of Cyprus has elicited unusually frank and vehement criticism from the finance experts grouped in the IMF's Executive Board. Their damning indictment at an IMF meeting in May reflects global skepticism, especially in emerging economies, about the euro zone's crisis management. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-angela-merkel-on-euro-crisis-and-arms-exports-a-903401.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses Germany's power in the euro crisis and explains why the country exports weapons to authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:42:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-angela-merkel-on-euro-crisis-and-arms-exports-a-903401.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses Germany's power in the euro crisis and explains why the country exports weapons to authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/blockupy-protest-surrounds-european-central-bank-in-frankfurt-a-902981.html#ref=rss Thousands of "Blockupy" protesters gathered in Frankfurt on Friday, surrounding the European Central Bank to air their concerns about euro-crisis policies. Both the banks and police were reportedly well-prepared for the anti-capitalist demonstration. Fri, 31 May 2013 11:21:21 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/blockupy-protest-surrounds-european-central-bank-in-frankfurt-a-902981.html Thousands of "Blockupy" protesters gathered in Frankfurt on Friday, surrounding the European Central Bank to air their concerns about euro-crisis policies. Both the banks and police were reportedly well-prepared for the anti-capitalist demonstration.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ecb-president-draghi-takes-criticism-for-euro-policy-a-901952.html#ref=rss European Central Bank President Mario Draghi often seems besieged in his Frankfurt tower, surrounded by fellow bankers and a populace that strongly disapprove of his risky policies. Even Germany's top court will pass judgment on them in an upcoming case. Wed, 29 May 2013 14:40:46 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ecb-president-draghi-takes-criticism-for-euro-policy-a-901952.html European Central Bank President Mario Draghi often seems besieged in his Frankfurt tower, surrounded by fellow bankers and a populace that strongly disapprove of his risky policies. Even Germany's top court will pass judgment on them in an upcoming case.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-commissioner-oettinger-says-eu-needs-overhaul-a-902553.html#ref=rss Many European leaders have recently suggested that the Continent is on the road to economic recovery. EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, however, says the bloc is in a "truly abysmal state" and that France, in particular, needs reform. Wed, 29 May 2013 13:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-commissioner-oettinger-says-eu-needs-overhaul-a-902553.html Many European leaders have recently suggested that the Continent is on the road to economic recovery. EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, however, says the bloc is in a "truly abysmal state" and that France, in particular, needs reform.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/students-left-out-youth-unemployment-statistics-distorted-in-europe-a-902301.html#ref=rss The oft-cited statistic that half of young Spaniards are unemployed is wrong. In reality, about one-fifth of those under 25 are looking for work. Nevertheless, outreach programs created by Germany focus on young people alone, though critics say other groups desperately need help too. Tue, 28 May 2013 15:05:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/students-left-out-youth-unemployment-statistics-distorted-in-europe-a-902301.html The oft-cited statistic that half of young Spaniards are unemployed is wrong. In reality, about one-fifth of those under 25 are looking for work. Nevertheless, outreach programs created by Germany focus on young people alone, though critics say other groups desperately need help too. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-to-test-stimulus-instead-of-austerity-a-901946.html#ref=rss With the euro crisis refusing to relent, the German government is backing away from its austerity mandates and planning to spend billions to stimulate ailing economies in Southern European. But can the program succeed? Mon, 27 May 2013 11:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-to-test-stimulus-instead-of-austerity-a-901946.html With the euro crisis refusing to relent, the German government is backing away from its austerity mandates and planning to spend billions to stimulate ailing economies in Southern European. But can the program succeed?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/what-the-all-german-champions-league-final-says-about-germany-a-901502.html#ref=rss With the all-German Champions League final coming up, fans around the world are marveling at the rise of the country's football might. Successful reforms within the training system have created a new breed of German player who is more tender than his tank-like predecessors. Fri, 24 May 2013 16:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/what-the-all-german-champions-league-final-says-about-germany-a-901502.html With the all-German Champions League final coming up, fans around the world are marveling at the rise of the country's football might. Successful reforms within the training system have created a new breed of German player who is more tender than his tank-like predecessors.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-study-immigrants-are-better-educated-than-germans-a-901681.html#ref=rss From Spanish engineers to Indian IT specialists, highly qualified foreigners are streaming into Germany in increasing numbers. According to a new study, their level of education has soared above the German average, contradicting still-prevalent stereotypes about immigrants. Fri, 24 May 2013 12:05:13 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-study-immigrants-are-better-educated-than-germans-a-901681.html From Spanish engineers to Indian IT specialists, highly qualified foreigners are streaming into Germany in increasing numbers. According to a new study, their level of education has soared above the German average, contradicting still-prevalent stereotypes about immigrants.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-exporters-less-optimistic-as-economic-worries-deepen-a-901556.html#ref=rss Companies in Germany that rely on exports are becoming increasingly concerned about the future of the country's economy, according to a new industry survey. The downturn in optimism is yet another indication that Europe may be in for a period of extended stagnation. Thu, 23 May 2013 17:52:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-exporters-less-optimistic-as-economic-worries-deepen-a-901556.html Companies in Germany that rely on exports are becoming increasingly concerned about the future of the country's economy, according to a new industry survey. The downturn in optimism is yet another indication that Europe may be in for a period of extended stagnation.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-wins-bbc-popularity-survey-a-901454.html#ref=rss German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a favorite target of hatred in recent months as the euro crisis continues to make life difficult for Southern Europeans. But a new BBC poll has found that most people actually have a positive view of Germany. Thu, 23 May 2013 13:05:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-wins-bbc-popularity-survey-a-901454.html German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a favorite target of hatred in recent months as the euro crisis continues to make life difficult for Southern Europeans. But a new BBC poll has found that most people actually have a positive view of Germany.]]>