SPIEGEL ONLINE - 30.05.2012
Berlin reacted with surprise and irritation on Wednesday at French President François Hollande's statement that he would not rule out international military intervention in Syria. Officials were quick to state that Germany is not considering military options, and some said Hollande's position was made for domestic political gains. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 04.05.2012
Germany's diplomats are rapidly losing influence amid the debt crisis as Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle's popularity dwindles and the Chancellery takes over European policy. But the Foreign Ministry is working on a plan to grab back power. By Ralf Neukirch more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 26.03.2012
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle are at odds over Middle East policy. While Merkel avoids opposing Israel on big issues, Westerwelle would like to show the Palestinians more support. The conflict threatens to jeopardize Germany's reputation as a credible partner in the region. By Ralf Neukirch more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 19.03.2012
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has annoyed his European colleagues by planning a meeting on Europe's post-crisis future, but only inviting representatives from a select list of member states. The meeting's timing has also been described as inappropriate, given the challenges the EU currently faces. By Ralf Neukirch more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 14.03.2012
The Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan this year should be used as a forum for promoting civil rights in that country, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Wednesday. The same should apply to Ukraine, which will co-host the European football championship and is under fire for jailing Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister, he added. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 05.03.2012
Berlin has reacted with disgust to an insult by the Belarus president about Germany's homosexual foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle. In response to criticism of his country's human rights record, Alexander Lukashenko said it is "better to be a dictator than gay." Westerwelle said the remark "speaks for itself." more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 13.02.2012
In a SPIEGEL interview, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, 50, discusses the "repulsive" violence in Syria, his concerns about Germany's standing in Europe as a result of the euro crisis and his disatisfaction with the recent political impasse in Greece. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 09.01.2012
Despite efforts to breathe new life into their faltering message, Free Democratic Party leader Philipp Rösler could be forced to step down soon. Should he fall, Chancellor Merkel could lose much more than a key political partner. Her entire cabinet could face a significant reshuffle. By Ralf Neukirch and Merlind Theile more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 06.01.2012
Germany's Free Democrats have been in freefall for months. But on Friday, the party, Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior coalition partner, hit a new low. Inner-party bickering led to the collapse of a state government and a new poll found that just 2 percent of Germans would vote for the FDP today. By Charles Hawley more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 11.10.2011
The European Union issued an unusually clear warning to Ukraine ahead of Tuesday's verdict in the power abuse trial against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. To no avail. A court pronounced her guilty -- and may have significantly damaged EU-Ukrainian relations in the process. more...
