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 00:40:43 +0200 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:40:43 +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/germany/german-spd-is-in-self-destruct-mode-ahead-of-election-a-906508.html#ref=rss Germany's Social Democrats are busy wrecking their chances of winning the September 22 election. The three leaders, exasperated at their party's disastrous opinion polls, are no longer bothering even to hide their mutual mistrust. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:04:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-spd-is-in-self-destruct-mode-ahead-of-election-a-906508.html Germany's Social Democrats are busy wrecking their chances of winning the September 22 election. The three leaders, exasperated at their party's disastrous opinion polls, are no longer bothering even to hide their mutual mistrust.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gay-adoption-debate-flusters-german-conservatives-a-904875.html#ref=rss Last week, Germany's high court granted tax equality to gay couples. Now, conservatives fear the ensuing debate over what many consider the untouchable last bastion of conservative values: full adoption rights for same-sex couples. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/gay-adoption-debate-flusters-german-conservatives-a-904875.html Last week, Germany's high court granted tax equality to gay couples. Now, conservatives fear the ensuing debate over what many consider the untouchable last bastion of conservative values: full adoption rights for same-sex couples.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-high-court-gay-tax-benefit-decision-a-904384.html#ref=rss Germany's high court has ruled that same-sex couples must be given tax breaks equal to those received by their heterosexual counterparts. The move has been widely hailed on German editorial pages, but there is some dissent. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:24:40 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-high-court-gay-tax-benefit-decision-a-904384.html Germany's high court has ruled that same-sex couples must be given tax breaks equal to those received by their heterosexual counterparts. The move has been widely hailed on German editorial pages, but there is some dissent.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pirate-party-in-germany-grows-wary-of-transparency-a-904408.html#ref=rss Germany's Pirate Party gained unexpected popularity by championing transparency, but then it was used to expose scandals and wage war within the party. Now it has opted for hard-nosed media handlers and internal muzzles. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:34:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pirate-party-in-germany-grows-wary-of-transparency-a-904408.html Germany's Pirate Party gained unexpected popularity by championing transparency, but then it was used to expose scandals and wage war within the party. Now it has opted for hard-nosed media handlers and internal muzzles. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-government-plans-to-rapidly-pass-same-sex-tax-law-a-904351.html#ref=rss On Thursday, Germany's high court ruled that tax benefits available to heterosexual married couples must be extended to gay pairs as well. Merkel's conservatives say they will quickly comply. But the party is still opposed to additional rights for same-sex unions. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-government-plans-to-rapidly-pass-same-sex-tax-law-a-904351.html On Thursday, Germany's high court ruled that tax benefits available to heterosexual married couples must be extended to gay pairs as well. Merkel's conservatives say they will quickly comply. But the party is still opposed to additional rights for same-sex unions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-opinion-german-defense-minister-and-euro-hawk-drone-debacle-a-904164.html#ref=rss The cancellation of the Euro Hawk surveillance drone program means the waste of a half billion euros in German taxpayer money. But somehow Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziére seems to have survived the debacle. German commentators wonder why. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-opinion-german-defense-minister-and-euro-hawk-drone-debacle-a-904164.html The cancellation of the Euro Hawk surveillance drone program means the waste of a half billion euros in German taxpayer money. But somehow Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziére seems to have survived the debacle. German commentators wonder why.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-challenger-steinbrueck-criticizes-her-foreign-policy-a-903933.html#ref=rss More money for Europe. That was the central message delivered by Peer Steinbrück, the center-left challenger to Angela Merkel in fall elections, in a major foreign policy speech he delivered on Tuesday afternoon in Berlin. As the chancellor herself was wading through Bavarian floodwaters, Steinbrück was blasting her for continuing to impose strict austerity measures on the rest of the Continent. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-challenger-steinbrueck-criticizes-her-foreign-policy-a-903933.html More money for Europe. That was the central message delivered by Peer Steinbrück, the center-left challenger to Angela Merkel in fall elections, in a major foreign policy speech he delivered on Tuesday afternoon in Berlin. As the chancellor herself was wading through Bavarian floodwaters, Steinbrück was blasting her for continuing to impose strict austerity measures on the rest of the Continent. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-defense-ministry-continued-drone-program-despite-problems-a-903504.html#ref=rss Pressure on German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière has increased this week on revelations that his ministry knew of problems facing Berlin's now-cancelled surveillance drone program over a year ago, but did nothing. NATO now fears that Germany will withdraw from the alliance's own drone project. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:51:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-defense-ministry-continued-drone-program-despite-problems-a-903504.html Pressure on German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière has increased this week on revelations that his ministry knew of problems facing Berlin's now-cancelled surveillance drone program over a year ago, but did nothing. NATO now fears that Germany will withdraw from the alliance's own drone project.]]> 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/human-trafficking-persists-despite-legality-of-prostitution-in-germany-a-902533.html#ref=rss When Germany legalized prostitution just over a decade ago, politicians hoped that it would create better conditions and more autonomy for sex workers. It hasn't worked out that way, though. Exploitation and human trafficking remain significant problems. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Thu, 30 May 2013 15:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/human-trafficking-persists-despite-legality-of-prostitution-in-germany-a-902533.html When Germany legalized prostitution just over a decade ago, politicians hoped that it would create better conditions and more autonomy for sex workers. It hasn't worked out that way, though. Exploitation and human trafficking remain significant problems. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-902377.html#ref=rss It is no secret that immigration to Germany is changing. Gone are the days when immigrants were seen as a cheap source of menial labor. Nowadays, most of them come from within Europe and tend to be well-educated -- a fact that is slowly becoming an important issue in the general election campaign. Tue, 28 May 2013 16:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-902377.html It is no secret that immigration to Germany is changing. Gone are the days when immigrants were seen as a cheap source of menial labor. Nowadays, most of them come from within Europe and tend to be well-educated -- a fact that is slowly becoming an important issue in the general election campaign. ]]> 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/germany/german-surveillance-drone-debacle-threatens-merkel-defense-minister-a-902132.html#ref=rss German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziére is under fire after he cancelled a half-billion euro surveillance drone program that he knew was in trouble years ago. The scandal could create problems for Chancellor Merkel's re-election campaign. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 28 May 2013 11:56:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-surveillance-drone-debacle-threatens-merkel-defense-minister-a-902132.html German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziére is under fire after he cancelled a half-billion euro surveillance drone program that he knew was in trouble years ago. The scandal could create problems for Chancellor Merkel's re-election campaign. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> 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/germany/german-states-consider-standardizing-marijuana-rules-a-901717.html#ref=rss In Berlin, you can carry 15 grams of marijuana. In Munich? Just six. To ease any confusion, German states are now trying to hash out possession regulations that would apply across the country. Fri, 24 May 2013 16:12:47 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-states-consider-standardizing-marijuana-rules-a-901717.html In Berlin, you can carry 15 grams of marijuana. In Munich? Just six. To ease any confusion, German states are now trying to hash out possession regulations that would apply across the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/chancellor-angela-merkel-successfully-wooing-the-female-vote-a-900886.html#ref=rss The German left used to have a corner on the market when it came to progressive social issues. But Chancellor Merkel has transformed the conservatives, attracting huge quantities of women voters along the way. They've become a hot political commodity in this year's upcoming election, with the opposition struggling to catch up. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/chancellor-angela-merkel-successfully-wooing-the-female-vote-a-900886.html The German left used to have a corner on the market when it came to progressive social issues. But Chancellor Merkel has transformed the conservatives, attracting huge quantities of women voters along the way. They've become a hot political commodity in this year's upcoming election, with the opposition struggling to catch up.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/political-conspiracy-theorists-seek-to-label-merkel-as-russian-sleeper-agent-a-900235.html#ref=rss Ever wondered what Angela Merkel had in mind with her decision to phase out nuclear energy? Dependency on Russian energy, if you believe some prominent conspiracy theorists. They'd like you to believe the German chancellor is some kind of KGB "sleeper agent" installed by Moscow at the end of the Cold War. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/political-conspiracy-theorists-seek-to-label-merkel-as-russian-sleeper-agent-a-900235.html Ever wondered what Angela Merkel had in mind with her decision to phase out nuclear energy? Dependency on Russian energy, if you believe some prominent conspiracy theorists. They'd like you to believe the German chancellor is some kind of KGB "sleeper agent" installed by Moscow at the end of the Cold War. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-chancellor-angela-merkel-has-paralyzed-german-politics-a-900330.html#ref=rss During her eight years as chancellor, Angela Merkel has skillfully lulled Germans to sleep and used feel-good policies to switch their focus from politics to personal comfort. By starving Germany's democracy of vibrancy, "Mommy Merkel" has caused it to wither. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-chancellor-angela-merkel-has-paralyzed-german-politics-a-900330.html During her eight years as chancellor, Angela Merkel has skillfully lulled Germans to sleep and used feel-good policies to switch their focus from politics to personal comfort. By starving Germany's democracy of vibrancy, "Mommy Merkel" has caused it to wither.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/anti-euro-party-alternative-for-germany-a-growing-problem-for-merkel-a-899803.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 14 May 2013 16:18:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/anti-euro-party-alternative-for-germany-a-growing-problem-for-merkel-a-899803.html 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.]]>