http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 26 May 2013 07:45:33 +0200 Sun, 26 May 2013 07:45:33 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-spd-candidate-peer-steinbrueck-a-892973.html#ref=rss In an interview with SPIEGEL, Peer Steinbrück, the 66-year-old Social Democrat German chancellor candidate, says Chancellor Angela Merkel's strict focus on austerity in the debt crisis has been wrong. He also vows to crack down on tax evaders and raise taxes on high earners. Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-spd-candidate-peer-steinbrueck-a-892973.html In an interview with SPIEGEL, Peer Steinbrück, the 66-year-old Social Democrat German chancellor candidate, says Chancellor Angela Merkel's strict focus on austerity in the debt crisis has been wrong. He also vows to crack down on tax evaders and raise taxes on high earners.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-candidate-steinbrueck-to-be-kept-on-tight-leash-in-campaign-a-880017.html#ref=rss Peer Steinbrück, the SPD candidate running against Chancellor Angela Merkel in a September general election, is still seen as a risk to the party's prospects despite a recent boost from Lower Saxony. Damaged by a string of gaffes, he will be kept on a tighter rein and only have a limited say in campaign strategy. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-candidate-steinbrueck-to-be-kept-on-tight-leash-in-campaign-a-880017.html Peer Steinbrück, the SPD candidate running against Chancellor Angela Merkel in a September general election, is still seen as a risk to the party's prospects despite a recent boost from Lower Saxony. Damaged by a string of gaffes, he will be kept on a tighter rein and only have a limited say in campaign strategy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-vote-hands-spd-candidate-steinbrueck-a-second-chance-a-878877.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:20:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-vote-hands-spd-candidate-steinbrueck-a-second-chance-a-878877.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-election-results-make-fdp-dependent-on-merkel-a-878781.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:21:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-election-results-make-fdp-dependent-on-merkel-a-878781.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-and-green-victory-in-lower-saxony-foretells-tough-fight-for-chancellery-a-878740.html#ref=rss Things couldn't be going worse for Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats. The slim center-left victory in Lower Saxony bodes poorly for the conservative coalition in federal elections this autumn. Now the fight for the Chancellery will get more brutal than the incumbent German leader had imagined. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:46:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-and-green-victory-in-lower-saxony-foretells-tough-fight-for-chancellery-a-878740.html Things couldn't be going worse for Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats. The slim center-left victory in Lower Saxony bodes poorly for the conservative coalition in federal elections this autumn. Now the fight for the Chancellery will get more brutal than the incumbent German leader had imagined.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-s-reelection-bid-suffers-setback-in-lower-saxony-election-a-878719.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:52:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-s-reelection-bid-suffers-setback-in-lower-saxony-election-a-878719.html 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. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-state-election-too-close-to-call-after-polls-close-a-878652.html#ref=rss 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. Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-state-election-too-close-to-call-after-polls-close-a-878652.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-election-could-foretell-national-vote-a-878457.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:53:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-election-could-foretell-national-vote-a-878457.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-chancellor-candidate-peer-steinbrueck-goes-from-gaffe-to-gaffe-a-876157.html#ref=rss Germany's Social Democrats had hoped that former Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück could topple Chancellor Angela Merkel in this year's elections. But his campaign has thus far been characterized by a series of damaging blunders. Support from within his own party is beginning to crumble. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-chancellor-candidate-peer-steinbrueck-goes-from-gaffe-to-gaffe-a-876157.html Germany's Social Democrats had hoped that former Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück could topple Chancellor Angela Merkel in this year's elections. But his campaign has thus far been characterized by a series of damaging blunders. Support from within his own party is beginning to crumble. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-reelection-at-risk-from-weakness-of-coalition-partner-a-876197.html#ref=rss Chancellor Angela Merkel is at the peak of her popularity. But her coalition partner is in abysmal shape, an ongoing train wreck that only got worse over the weekend. Should it not return to health, Merkel might have difficulties staying in office after next fall's election. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:11:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-reelection-at-risk-from-weakness-of-coalition-partner-a-876197.html Chancellor Angela Merkel is at the peak of her popularity. But her coalition partner is in abysmal shape, an ongoing train wreck that only got worse over the weekend. Should it not return to health, Merkel might have difficulties staying in office after next fall's election.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-voters-grow-disillusioned-with-pirate-party-a-863234.html#ref=rss As national elections approach next year, Germany's Pirate Party can't explain what its positions really are. Its representatives in state parliaments prefer to focus on technical issues and themselves, while party leaders are withdrawing from the forefront. Voters, in the meantime, are turning away from the party. Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:29:02 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-voters-grow-disillusioned-with-pirate-party-a-863234.html As national elections approach next year, Germany's Pirate Party can't explain what its positions really are. Its representatives in state parliaments prefer to focus on technical issues and themselves, while party leaders are withdrawing from the forefront. Voters, in the meantime, are turning away from the party.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-editorialists-discuss-political-fallout-of-roettgen-firing-a-833819.html#ref=rss Angela Merkel isn't known for her brutality. But her firing of her environment minister has German editorialists taking a new look at the chancellor. They see a leader desperately trying to keep her party, and all of Europe, from falling apart at the seams. Fri, 18 May 2012 16:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-editorialists-discuss-political-fallout-of-roettgen-firing-a-833819.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/feminine-politics-gains-the-upper-hand-in-germany-a-833291.html#ref=rss Social Democrat Hannelore Kraft is the big winner in last Sunday's crucial state election in North Rhine-Westphalia. And she triumphed by taking a page from Chancellor Angela Merkel's playbook, German commentators say. The infusion of feminine politics could mark the country's political scene for years to come. Tue, 15 May 2012 14:18:38 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/feminine-politics-gains-the-upper-hand-in-germany-a-833291.html Social Democrat Hannelore Kraft is the big winner in last Sunday's crucial state election in North Rhine-Westphalia. And she triumphed by taking a page from Chancellor Angela Merkel's playbook, German commentators say. The infusion of feminine politics could mark the country's political scene for years to come.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-and-greens-strengthened-in-german-state-vote-a-833007.html#ref=rss The center-left in Germany has emerged from Sunday's crucial state vote strengthened and newly confident after crushing Angela Merkel's conservatives. It is a clear defeat for the chancellor, but there are pitfalls ahead for the Social Democrats as well. Mon, 14 May 2012 11:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-and-greens-strengthened-in-german-state-vote-a-833007.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-response-to-cdu-defeat-in-the-north-rhine-westphalia-election-a-833003.html#ref=rss Chancellor Angela Merkel has been weakened by the humiliating election defeat of her conservatives in the large state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Sunday. German media commentators say she will face a harder time securing backing for her austerity policy at home, at a time when resistance to it is building across Europe. Mon, 14 May 2012 10:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-response-to-cdu-defeat-in-the-north-rhine-westphalia-election-a-833003.html Chancellor Angela Merkel has been weakened by the humiliating election defeat of her conservatives in the large state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Sunday. German media commentators say she will face a harder time securing backing for her austerity policy at home, at a time when resistance to it is building across Europe. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/state-election-in-germany-punishes-merkel-but-boosts-spd-and-greens-a-832982.html#ref=rss The center-left Social Democrats and the Greens have emerged with a clear majority in elections in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. The outcome is a significant setback for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and could further weaken the Christian Democrats in the run-up to national elections in 2013. Mon, 14 May 2012 09:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/state-election-in-germany-punishes-merkel-but-boosts-spd-and-greens-a-832982.html The center-left Social Democrats and the Greens have emerged with a clear majority in elections in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. The outcome is a significant setback for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and could further weaken the Christian Democrats in the run-up to national elections in 2013. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/state-election-to-highlight-changing-german-political-landscape-a-832511.html#ref=rss This Sunday's state election in North Rhine-Westphalia will put Germany's new political landscape in the spotlight. A multitude of parties is making it more difficult to form governing coalitions and a growing focus on personalities has analysts speaking of the 'Americanization' of German politics. Thu, 10 May 2012 18:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/state-election-to-highlight-changing-german-political-landscape-a-832511.html This Sunday's state election in North Rhine-Westphalia will put Germany's new political landscape in the spotlight. A multitude of parties is making it more difficult to form governing coalitions and a growing focus on personalities has analysts speaking of the 'Americanization' of German politics.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/three-key-elections-pose-dangers-for-merkel-a-831356.html#ref=rss It could be an uncomfortable weekend for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with three crunch votes taking place on Sunday. Elections in Greece and France could torpedo her strategy to solve the euro crisis if voters reject pro-austerity candidates, while a state election in Germany may weaken her conservatives domestically. Fri, 04 May 2012 13:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/three-key-elections-pose-dangers-for-merkel-a-831356.html It could be an uncomfortable weekend for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with three crunch votes taking place on Sunday. Elections in Greece and France could torpedo her strategy to solve the euro crisis if voters reject pro-austerity candidates, while a state election in Germany may weaken her conservatives domestically.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-the-pirate-party-s-future-prospects-a-824025.html#ref=rss Following its entry into a second state parliament in Germany, the Internet activist Pirate Party hopes to make it into national politics next year. But the young party still needs to develop its policies, critics say. German commentators on Tuesday explore the difficult trail ahead for the upstart party. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:35:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-on-the-pirate-party-s-future-prospects-a-824025.html Following its entry into a second state parliament in Germany, the Internet activist Pirate Party hopes to make it into national politics next year. But the young party still needs to develop its policies, critics say. German commentators on Tuesday explore the difficult trail ahead for the upstart party.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-wins-state-election-in-saarland-a-823664.html#ref=rss Angela Merkel's conservatives won Sunday's state elections in Saarland by a surprisingly large margin. But the Free Democrats, their junior coalition partner in Berlin, were resoundingly punished by voters, securing just over 1 percent of the vote. The real winners were the upstart Pirate Party, who will now enter the state parliament after getting over 7 percent. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-wins-state-election-in-saarland-a-823664.html