http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 18 May 2013 09:46:59 +0200 Sat, 18 May 2013 09:46:59 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/past-pedophile-links-haunt-german-green-party-a-899544.html#ref=rss In the 1980s, some members of Germany's Green Party advocated the legalization of sex with minors. Now the party wants to come to terms with this dark chapter via an independent review of internal documents -- some of which show that the influence of pedophiles on the young party was much stronger than previously thought. Mon, 13 May 2013 16:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/past-pedophile-links-haunt-german-green-party-a-899544.html In the 1980s, some members of Germany's Green Party advocated the legalization of sex with minors. Now the party wants to come to terms with this dark chapter via an independent review of internal documents -- some of which show that the influence of pedophiles on the young party was much stronger than previously thought.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renewable-energy-policy-takes-toll-on-nature-conservation-a-888094.html#ref=rss The German government is carrying out a rapid expansion of renewable energies like wind, solar and biogas, yet the process is taking a toll on nature conservation. The issue is causing a rift in the environmental movement, pitting "green energy" supporters against ecologists. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renewable-energy-policy-takes-toll-on-nature-conservation-a-888094.html The German government is carrying out a rapid expansion of renewable energies like wind, solar and biogas, yet the process is taking a toll on nature conservation. The issue is causing a rift in the environmental movement, pitting "green energy" supporters against ecologists.]]> 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/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/top-german-politician-criticized-for-attending-bilderberg-conference-a-837303.html#ref=rss The secretive annual Bilderberg conference of the global elite has inspired a host of conspiracy theories. Now a senior German Green Party politician is under fire for attending this year's event. Many greens are asking what he was doing schmoozing with business and financial leaders. Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:39:02 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/top-german-politician-criticized-for-attending-bilderberg-conference-a-837303.html The secretive annual Bilderberg conference of the global elite has inspired a host of conspiracy theories. Now a senior German Green Party politician is under fire for attending this year's event. Many greens are asking what he was doing schmoozing with business and financial leaders.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/authors-and-musicians-rebel-against-pirate-party-policies-in-germany-a-827877.html#ref=rss The rise of the Pirate Party has been swift and virtually without opposition, but resistance is now emerging. Writers and musicians have a problem with the Internet-freedom party's approach to intellectual property. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/authors-and-musicians-rebel-against-pirate-party-policies-in-germany-a-827877.html The rise of the Pirate Party has been swift and virtually without opposition, but resistance is now emerging. Writers and musicians have a problem with the Internet-freedom party's approach to intellectual property. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pirate-party-emerges-as-political-force-in-germany-a-823993.html#ref=rss Germany's political establishment doesn't know how to react to the Pirate Party, which now has seats in two state parliaments and owns the debate on Internet issues. But although the party's radical experiments in transparency and participation may have caught its rivals off guard, its no-holds-barred debating culture can also backfire. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pirate-party-emerges-as-political-force-in-germany-a-823993.html Germany's political establishment doesn't know how to react to the Pirate Party, which now has seats in two state parliaments and owns the debate on Internet issues. But although the party's radical experiments in transparency and participation may have caught its rivals off guard, its no-holds-barred debating culture can also backfire. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-of-collapse-of-nrw-government-a-821550.html#ref=rss The government of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, collapsed on Wednesday after the Free Democrats unexpectedly blocked a budget measure. In Thursday's newspapers, German commentators speculate on how this apparent setback could actually help the Social Democrats and Greens at both the state and national level. Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:48:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-press-review-of-collapse-of-nrw-government-a-821550.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/north-rhine-westphalia-state-government-faces-early-election-a-821308.html#ref=rss The government of North Rhine-Westphalia has lost a key budget vote, a development that is expected to trigger an early election in Germany's most populous state. The vote could rock Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right coalition by further weakening her junior coalition partner, the Free Democrats. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:06:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/north-rhine-westphalia-state-government-faces-early-election-a-821308.html The government of North Rhine-Westphalia has lost a key budget vote, a development that is expected to trigger an early election in Germany's most populous state. The vote could rock Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right coalition by further weakening her junior coalition partner, the Free Democrats.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-state-elections-in-saarland-merkel-s-coalition-partner-faces-more-setbacks-a-810321.html#ref=rss Two weeks after the collapse of its governing coalition, the tiny state of Saarland announced on Thursday that it would soon hold new elections. Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition partner, the Free Democrats, could emerge as the biggest losers. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:26:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-state-elections-in-saarland-merkel-s-coalition-partner-faces-more-setbacks-a-810321.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-protest-party-to-mainstream-papal-blessing-marks-end-of-an-era-for-greens-a-788340.html#ref=rss Germany's Green Party began in the 1970s as the party of outsiders and non-conformists. Now, they are part of the mainstream. The pope's praise for the environmentalists in his speech to the German parliament shows that a political era has come to an end. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-protest-party-to-mainstream-papal-blessing-marks-end-of-an-era-for-greens-a-788340.html Germany's Green Party began in the 1970s as the party of outsiders and non-conformists. Now, they are part of the mainstream. The pope's praise for the environmentalists in his speech to the German parliament shows that a political era has come to an end. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/letter-from-berlin-who-are-the-pirates-from-berlin-a-787417.html#ref=rss They are handy with computers and are interested in issues relating to the Internet. Is that all? Many Berliners have been scratching their heads about the true identity of Germany's youngest political party. But the answer is simple: They're the new Greens. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/letter-from-berlin-who-are-the-pirates-from-berlin-a-787417.html They are handy with computers and are interested in issues relating to the Internet. Is that all? Many Berliners have been scratching their heads about the true identity of Germany's youngest political party. But the answer is simple: They're the new Greens.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-under-pressure-could-the-spd-really-say-no-to-a-grand-coalition-a-786671.html#ref=rss Germany's ruling coalition of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and the FDP is under increasing pressure as the euro chaos continues. Some in the chancellor's party are now contemplating a return to the grand coalition with the Social Democrats. The SPD aren't keen, but could they say no? Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:45:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-under-pressure-could-the-spd-really-say-no-to-a-grand-coalition-a-786671.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/letter-from-berlin-popular-mayor-set-for-easy-re-election-on-sunday-a-786061.html#ref=rss Berlin has pressing economic and social problems and its mayor, Klaus Wowereit, has done little to solve them over the last decade. But the Social Democrat who has helped turn the "poor but sexy" city into a major cultural hub looks sure to be re-elected -- because Berliners like him. Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:27:40 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/letter-from-berlin-popular-mayor-set-for-easy-re-election-on-sunday-a-786061.html Berlin has pressing economic and social problems and its mayor, Klaus Wowereit, has done little to solve them over the last decade. But the Social Democrat who has helped turn the "poor but sexy" city into a major cultural hub looks sure to be re-elected -- because Berliners like him. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/ex-foreign-minister-fischer-berlin-has-lost-touch-with-reality-a-783043.html#ref=rss In an interview with SPIEGEL, former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer discusses the mistakes the ministry's current leader Guido Westerwelle has made with Libya and Chancellor Angela Merkel's clumsy handling of the euro crisis. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:50:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/ex-foreign-minister-fischer-berlin-has-lost-touch-with-reality-a-783043.html In an interview with SPIEGEL, former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer discusses the mistakes the ministry's current leader Guido Westerwelle has made with Libya and Chancellor Angela Merkel's clumsy handling of the euro crisis. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-s-green-party-on-the-euro-crisis-merkel-must-put-politicians-back-in-the-driver-s-seat-a-775668.html#ref=rss In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Cem Özdemir, the co-leader of Germany's Green Party, talks of the challenges that Greece faces in sorting out its finances, argues in favor of a debt restructuring and calls on Chancellor Merkel to push for resolute action at Thursday's EU summit. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:36:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-s-green-party-on-the-euro-crisis-merkel-must-put-politicians-back-in-the-driver-s-seat-a-775668.html In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Cem Özdemir, the co-leader of Germany's Green Party, talks of the challenges that Greece faces in sorting out its finances, argues in favor of a debt restructuring and calls on Chancellor Merkel to push for resolute action at Thursday's EU summit.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/safer-sex-greens-warn-against-dangerous-dildos-a-771863.html#ref=rss Germany's Green Party is worried about the health risks of sex toys. Dildos and vibrators contain dangerously high levels of phthalates and other plasticizers, which can cause infertility and hormone imbalances, they claim. Now the party wants the government to take action to protect the 20 percent of Germans who use sex toys. Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/safer-sex-greens-warn-against-dangerous-dildos-a-771863.html Germany's Green Party is worried about the health risks of sex toys. Dildos and vibrators contain dangerously high levels of phthalates and other plasticizers, which can cause infertility and hormone imbalances, they claim. Now the party wants the government to take action to protect the 20 percent of Germans who use sex toys.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grassroots-politics-police-find-cannabis-plants-at-green-party-office-a-771568.html#ref=rss The Green Party is in the weeds when it comes to scandals this week. Not only have police reportedly found cannabis plants at a regional party office in Thuringia, but a Greens campaign manager was fired following his arrest for drunk driving and assaulting a police officer in Berlin. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grassroots-politics-police-find-cannabis-plants-at-green-party-office-a-771568.html The Green Party is in the weeds when it comes to scandals this week. Not only have police reportedly found cannabis plants at a regional party office in Thuringia, but a Greens campaign manager was fired following his arrest for drunk driving and assaulting a police officer in Berlin.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-greens-vote-shows-stronger-more-mature-party-a-770754.html#ref=rss Germany's Green party dropped their demand for a nuclear phaseout by 2017 and voted on Saturday to back Chancellor Angela's Merkel's timetable to shut all reactors by 2022. The vote shows pragmatism and is a sign that the Greens are getting ready to return to power, commentators say. But, they add, it also helps Merkel. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:29:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-greens-vote-shows-stronger-more-mature-party-a-770754.html Germany's Green party dropped their demand for a nuclear phaseout by 2017 and voted on Saturday to back Chancellor Angela's Merkel's timetable to shut all reactors by 2022. The vote shows pragmatism and is a sign that the Greens are getting ready to return to power, commentators say. But, they add, it also helps Merkel. ]]>