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 21:32:38 +0200 Sat, 18 May 2013 21:32:38 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bavarian-companies-set-sights-on-workers-from-spain-to-fill-jobs-a-900034.html#ref=rss Youth unemployment in Spain is enormously high, yet some companies in Germany can't find the skilled labor they need. Now, a program in Bavaria is trying to kill two birds with one stone. It has been overwhelmed with applications and the first Spanish newcomers have begun arriving. Wed, 15 May 2013 15:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bavarian-companies-set-sights-on-workers-from-spain-to-fill-jobs-a-900034.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/press-review-on-mass-influx-of-european-immigrants-to-germany-a-898786.html#ref=rss This week, Germany announced it received more immigrants in 2012 than it has in almost two decades. Yet rather than sounding the alarm, newspaper commentators are welcoming the trend. Most of the newcomers are well-educated and come from other countries in Europe. Wed, 08 May 2013 15:45:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/press-review-on-mass-influx-of-european-immigrants-to-germany-a-898786.html This week, Germany announced it received more immigrants in 2012 than it has in almost two decades. Yet rather than sounding the alarm, newspaper commentators are welcoming the trend. Most of the newcomers are well-educated and come from other countries in Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundesamt-deutschland-lockt-so-viele-zuwanderer-wie-zuletzt-1995-a-898472.html#ref=rss Die Wirtschaftskrise macht Deutschland für Einwanderer attraktiv. Im vorigen Jahr zogen rund 370.000 mehr Menschen ins Land als fortgingen - laut Statistischem Bundesamt ist dies der höchste Wert seit fast 20 Jahren. Die meisten Zuwanderer kamen aus einem direkten Nachbarland. Tue, 07 May 2013 10:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundesamt-deutschland-lockt-so-viele-zuwanderer-wie-zuletzt-1995-a-898472.html Die Wirtschaftskrise macht Deutschland für Einwanderer attraktiv. Im vorigen Jahr zogen rund 370.000 mehr Menschen ins Land als fortgingen - laut Statistischem Bundesamt ist dies der höchste Wert seit fast 20 Jahren. Die meisten Zuwanderer kamen aus einem direkten Nachbarland. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/un-anti-racism-committee-reprimands-germany-over-sarrazin-comments-a-895247.html#ref=rss When former Berlin politician Thilo Sarrazin made critical remarks about Muslim immigrants four years ago, many found them offensive, though prosecutors rejected complaints, citing free speech laws. A UN committee disagrees, however, and has accused Germany of violating an anti-racism convention. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:38:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/un-anti-racism-committee-reprimands-germany-over-sarrazin-comments-a-895247.html When former Berlin politician Thilo Sarrazin made critical remarks about Muslim immigrants four years ago, many found them offensive, though prosecutors rejected complaints, citing free speech laws. A UN committee disagrees, however, and has accused Germany of violating an anti-racism convention.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bulgarian-migrant-worker-case-exposes-problems-in-german-labor-market-a-894611.html#ref=rss Injured on the job, a Bulgarian migrant worker desperately needs surgery, but his official status as an independent contractor has allowed the companies involved to shirk responsibility. His case exposes a troubling gray area in Germany's labor market. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bulgarian-migrant-worker-case-exposes-problems-in-german-labor-market-a-894611.html Injured on the job, a Bulgarian migrant worker desperately needs surgery, but his official status as an independent contractor has allowed the companies involved to shirk responsibility. His case exposes a troubling gray area in Germany's labor market.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/african-immigrant-runs-to-become-first-black-man-in-german-parliament-a-892081.html#ref=rss In July 1991, two youths punched Karamba Diaby in the face and chased after him in a racist attack in Halle, an eastern German town with a significant neo-Nazi problem. Now he's about to campaign in the city to become the first black member of the German parliament in the September general election. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/african-immigrant-runs-to-become-first-black-man-in-german-parliament-a-892081.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/turkish-german-relations-suffer-due-to-nsu-trial-and-other-incidents-a-892045.html#ref=rss Turkey has become increasingly mistrustful of German authorities in recent weeks following two house fires and a court's refusal to grant press accreditation to Turkish media outlets for a high-profile neo-Nazi trial. Government officials on both sides have now become involved in the spat. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/turkish-german-relations-suffer-due-to-nsu-trial-and-other-incidents-a-892045.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/turkish-ambassador-says-fears-of-right-wing-attacks-understandable-a-889480.html#ref=rss Shortly after a fire in southwestern Germany killed eight people of Turkish origin, officials in Ankara stepped in. German police have downplayed the possibility of the fire being racially motivated, but Turkish Ambassador Hüseyin Avni Karslioglu tells SPIEGEL such statements sow mistrust. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/turkish-ambassador-says-fears-of-right-wing-attacks-understandable-a-889480.html Shortly after a fire in southwestern Germany killed eight people of Turkish origin, officials in Ankara stepped in. German police have downplayed the possibility of the fire being racially motivated, but Turkish Ambassador Hüseyin Avni Karslioglu tells SPIEGEL such statements sow mistrust.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/elite-young-immigrants-could-provide-future-stability-for-german-economy-a-885647.html#ref=rss A new generation of highly qualified immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe is seeking a future in Germany. Young, well-educated and multilingual, they are precisely what the German economy needs to ensure success in the future. The country has its work cut out if it wants these "godsends" to stay. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/elite-young-immigrants-could-provide-future-stability-for-german-economy-a-885647.html A new generation of highly qualified immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe is seeking a future in Germany. Young, well-educated and multilingual, they are precisely what the German economy needs to ensure success in the future. The country has its work cut out if it wants these "godsends" to stay. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-cities-struggle-to-accommodate-rise-in-homeless-a-885484.html#ref=rss With frigid temperatures outside, German homeless and emergency shelters are usually full this time of year. But a rising number of homeless people, many from other EU states, are exceeding their capacities and triggering competition for limited cots and resources. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-cities-struggle-to-accommodate-rise-in-homeless-a-885484.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/turkey-pressures-germany-to-accept-eu-accession-a-884824.html#ref=rss A European commissioner's remark that Germany and France would one day come crawling "on their knees" begging Turkey to join the EU has miffed Berlin and thrilled Ankara. As German Chancellor Merkel prepares for a visit to Turkey, the country is pushing for concessions. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:44:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/turkey-pressures-germany-to-accept-eu-accession-a-884824.html A European commissioner's remark that Germany and France would one day come crawling "on their knees" begging Turkey to join the EU has miffed Berlin and thrilled Ankara. As German Chancellor Merkel prepares for a visit to Turkey, the country is pushing for concessions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/western-europe-fearful-of-roma-immigrants-from-romania-and-bulgaria-a-884760.html#ref=rss British, French and German politicians are all sounding the alarm. In 2014, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens will be given free movement within Europe's labor market. They are concerned about a wave of immigration, yet most of those who want to head west likely already have. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:53:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/western-europe-fearful-of-roma-immigrants-from-romania-and-bulgaria-a-884760.html British, French and German politicians are all sounding the alarm. In 2014, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens will be given free movement within Europe's labor market. They are concerned about a wave of immigration, yet most of those who want to head west likely already have.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-cities-worried-about-high-immigration-from-romania-and-bulgaria-a-881409.html#ref=rss Immigration to Germany from southeastern Europe has dramatically increased in recent years and the country's municipalities are struggling to absorb the influx. Now, German cities are taking a close look at the problem and may ask for help from Berlin or even the European Union. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:42:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-cities-worried-about-high-immigration-from-romania-and-bulgaria-a-881409.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-schools-struggle-to-cope-with-boom-in-immigrant-students-a-880457.html#ref=rss Germany is experiencing a well-documented boom in immigrants from countries hard-hit by the euro crisis. Less visible, however, are their children. They rarely have any knowledge of German, and schools are struggling to meet their needs. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:01:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-schools-struggle-to-cope-with-boom-in-immigrant-students-a-880457.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/archaeologists-uncover-clues-to-why-vikings-abandoned-greenland-a-876626.html#ref=rss For years, researchers have puzzled over why Viking descendents abandoned Greenland in the late 15th century. But archaeologists now believe that economic and identity issues, rather than starvation and disease, drove them back to their ancestral homes. Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:23:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/archaeologists-uncover-clues-to-why-vikings-abandoned-greenland-a-876626.html For years, researchers have puzzled over why Viking descendents abandoned Greenland in the late 15th century. But archaeologists now believe that economic and identity issues, rather than starvation and disease, drove them back to their ancestral homes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-german-government-fails-to-fight-racism-against-sinti-and-roma-a-872552.html#ref=rss Less than two months ago, Germany's government made a big show of dedicating a memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of Nazi crimes, pledging greater efforts to fight discrimination. But a new report chastises Berlin for doing little to combat the mistreatment and prejudice the minorities face each day. Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:25:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-german-government-fails-to-fight-racism-against-sinti-and-roma-a-872552.html Less than two months ago, Germany's government made a big show of dedicating a memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims of Nazi crimes, pledging greater efforts to fight discrimination. But a new report chastises Berlin for doing little to combat the mistreatment and prejudice the minorities face each day.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-leads-skilled-workers-from-southern-europe-to-flock-to-germany-a-867681.html#ref=rss Economic crisis and mass unemployment in Southern Europe have triggered an exodus of highly qualified jobseekers, many of whom are making their way north to Germany. There, a relatively strong economy and growing shortage of skilled workers makes companies eager to ensure that the newcomers feel welcome. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-leads-skilled-workers-from-southern-europe-to-flock-to-germany-a-867681.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/euro-zone-enters-recession-as-immigration-to-germany-rises-a-867461.html#ref=rss Economic news from the euro zone continues to worsen, as the European common currency area slipped into recession in the third quarter. Even the German economy is stagnating, but immigration from crisis ridden countries in southern Europe continues to spike nonetheless. Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:30:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/euro-zone-enters-recession-as-immigration-to-germany-rises-a-867461.html Economic news from the euro zone continues to worsen, as the European common currency area slipped into recession in the third quarter. Even the German economy is stagnating, but immigration from crisis ridden countries in southern Europe continues to spike nonetheless.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/shifting-us-demographics-influence-electoral-strategies-a-866660.html#ref=rss The United States, traditionally a land of immigrants, is on the verge of historic change, with non-Caucasian Americans poised to become the majority in the coming decades. Obama's recent victory has already shown how demographic shifts will change the political landscape. Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:51:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/shifting-us-demographics-influence-electoral-strategies-a-866660.html The United States, traditionally a land of immigrants, is on the verge of historic change, with non-Caucasian Americans poised to become the majority in the coming decades. Obama's recent victory has already shown how demographic shifts will change the political landscape.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-plaintiff-of-racial-profiling-case-in-germany-a-864932.html#ref=rss He was born in Germany, and he is black. A 26-year-old student who won a landmark court case against police for racial profiling this week speaks with SPIEGEL ONLINE about his moment of civil disobedience and whether he thinks the legal victory will change things for others like him. Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:12:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-plaintiff-of-racial-profiling-case-in-germany-a-864932.html