SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 08, 2013
Germany's low unemployment rate is the envy of much of Europe. Yet it masks the difficulties many working Germans have in making ends meet and their reliance on welfare benefits. The issue could become important as the election campaign heats up. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 02, 2013
The parliamentary leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior coalition partner, the Free Democrats (FDP), and a former German economics minister publicly criticized the French government under Socialist President François Hollande Thursday in a move that highlights the tension between the two countries.
By Mary Beth Warner more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 08, 2013
Do Germans accept public figures with foreign roots? A politician who asked this question about Vietnamese-born Vice Chancellor Philipp Rösler has critics calling him racist. But his party has come to his defense, saying the problem must be addressed. more... [ Forum ]
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 24, 2013
A journalist at a leading German weekly magazine claims that a politician who is his party's leading candidate in national elections made inappropriate advances toward her. The incident has sparked a debate about sexism in national politics. 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 ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 21, 2013
The conservatives may be out of power in Lower Saxony, but the result was not a total debacle for Chancellor Angela Merkel. After 100,000 conservative voters opted to prop up the floundering Free Democrats, she now has control over two center-right parties, say commentators. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 21, 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a setback in Sunday's state election in Lower Saxony, where her center-right alliance was ousted by the center-left opposition. The defeat comes just eight months before the general election and indicates that her bid for a third term could be tighter than expected. By David Crossland more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 20, 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrat challenger in the September election, Peer Steinbrück, both wanted a boost from Sunday's state vote in Lower Saxony. But it was so close that neither got what they were hoping for. If anything, the result shows that despite Merkel's popularity, her bid for a third term could be a very tight race. By David Crossland more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 18, 2013
Voters in the state of Lower Saxony are heading to the polls on Sunday in a neck-and-neck vote that has profound implications for general elections later this year. The center-left Social Democrats are particularly apprehensive. more... [ Forum ]