http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 20 May 2013 06:36:07 +0200 Mon, 20 May 2013 06:36:07 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-left-party-proposes-new-way-to-save-the-euro-a-846788.html#ref=rss Germany's Left Party is not often associated with neo-liberalism. But a new proposal from a senior party member could provide a way out of the cycle of bailouts and bank aid. Why not just reboot the market economy and then cushion the fall? Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:39:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-left-party-proposes-new-way-to-save-the-euro-a-846788.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-left-party-in-crisis-as-lafontaine-withdraws-candidacy-a-834770.html#ref=rss After years of growth, Germany's Left Party is in disarray. Weeks of bitter infighting have weakened the far-left party and now its most important figure Oskar Lafontaine has withdrawn his candidacy for its leadership. German commentators say he alone is to blame for the chaos left behind. Wed, 23 May 2012 16:20:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-left-party-in-crisis-as-lafontaine-withdraws-candidacy-a-834770.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zwickau-cell-arrest-second-suspect-linked-to-far-right-npd-party-a-812877.html#ref=rss A suspect arrested this week in connection with a murderous neo-Nazi terrorist group has been identified as a former member of the far-right National Democratic Party. His affiliation is likely to spark renewed calls for the party to be banned in Germany. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:25:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/zwickau-cell-arrest-second-suspect-linked-to-far-right-npd-party-a-812877.html A suspect arrested this week in connection with a murderous neo-Nazi terrorist group has been identified as a former member of the far-right National Democratic Party. His affiliation is likely to spark renewed calls for the party to be banned in Germany. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/constitutional-concerns-german-intelligence-under-fire-for-spying-on-parliamentarians-a-812511.html#ref=rss The revelation that lawmakers for the Left Party are under observation by the German intelligence service has triggered a debate about the agency's powers. The country's highest court is expected to provide much-needed clarification this year. At what point should spies be allowed snoop on elected representatives? <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i>  Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:05:40 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/constitutional-concerns-german-intelligence-under-fire-for-spying-on-parliamentarians-a-812511.html By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/delicate-operation-german-intelligence-watching-far-left-politicians-a-810773.html#ref=rss More than one-third of the far-left Left Party's parliamentarians are under observation by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, SPIEGEL has learned. Much larger than previously thought, the operations cost nearly 400,000 euros a year. Critics worry it's disproportionate to surveillance of the right-wing extremist NPD party. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/delicate-operation-german-intelligence-watching-far-left-politicians-a-810773.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/weekly-attacks-neo-nazis-target-left-party-officials-a-806719.html#ref=rss Barely a week goes by without a neo-Nazi attack on politicians from Germany's far-left Left Party. Extremists smash the windows of offices or private homes, daub graffiti on walls, cut car brake cables and make anonymous death threats. In response, authorities are beefing up security for senior party officials. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:44:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/weekly-attacks-neo-nazis-target-left-party-officials-a-806719.html Barely a week goes by without a neo-Nazi attack on politicians from Germany's far-left Left Party. Extremists smash the windows of offices or private homes, daub graffiti on walls, cut car brake cables and make anonymous death threats. In response, authorities are beefing up security for senior party officials.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/felicitations-for-fidel-left-party-sends-birthday-wishes-to-castro-a-781616.html#ref=rss Leaders of Germany's far-left Left Party have rattled politicians of all stripes by praising Fidel Castro in an adulating letter to mark Cuba's former communist leader's 85th birthday. Even some within the far-left party say the remarks went too far. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:34:38 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/felicitations-for-fidel-left-party-sends-birthday-wishes-to-castro-a-781616.html Leaders of Germany's far-left Left Party have rattled politicians of all stripes by praising Fidel Castro in an adulating letter to mark Cuba's former communist leader's 85th birthday. Even some within the far-left party say the remarks went too far.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/opinion-a-society-on-the-verge-of-a-meltdown-a-780991.html#ref=rss The riots in London are a social Fukushima for the Western world. Should we really be suprised that an increase in wealth for just a few, accompanied by simultaneous impoverishment of the masses, could not continue unabated? Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/opinion-a-society-on-the-verge-of-a-meltdown-a-780991.html The riots in London are a social Fukushima for the Western world. Should we really be suprised that an increase in wealth for just a few, accompanied by simultaneous impoverishment of the masses, could not continue unabated? ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-map-without-israel-germany-s-left-party-faces-charges-of-anti-semitism-a-769487.html#ref=rss Swatiskas intertwined in the Star of David, a map of the Middle East with Israel missing, boycotts of Israeli products: Germany's far-left Left Party, many feel, has a growing anti-Semitism problem. The issue threatens to divide the party. Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:44 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-map-without-israel-germany-s-left-party-faces-charges-of-anti-semitism-a-769487.html Swatiskas intertwined in the Star of David, a map of the Middle East with Israel missing, boycotts of Israeli products: Germany's far-left Left Party, many feel, has a growing anti-Semitism problem. The issue threatens to divide the party.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-political-slap-on-the-wrist-merkel-government-takes-hit-in-state-elections-a-752188.html#ref=rss German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats lost support in Sunday's state elections in Saxony-Anhalt while her coalition partners from the Free Democrats failed to get enough votes for representation in the state parliament. The vote may bode ill for important state elections this weekend. Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:35:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-political-slap-on-the-wrist-merkel-government-takes-hit-in-state-elections-a-752188.html German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats lost support in Sunday's state elections in Saxony-Anhalt while her coalition partners from the Free Democrats failed to get enough votes for representation in the state parliament. The vote may bode ill for important state elections this weekend.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/letter-from-berlin-the-rise-and-fall-of-germany-s-left-party-a-738934.html#ref=rss Not so long ago, the Left Party was hailed as a radical new force that would give a voice to millions of people who felt the country was no longer delivering social justice. But it has failed to build on its early success. Its charismatic founders have retired, its new leadership is weak and it is beset by in-fighting. Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:23:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/letter-from-berlin-the-rise-and-fall-of-germany-s-left-party-a-738934.html Not so long ago, the Left Party was hailed as a radical new force that would give a voice to millions of people who felt the country was no longer delivering social justice. But it has failed to build on its early success. Its charismatic founders have retired, its new leadership is weak and it is beset by in-fighting.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/left-wing-politician-on-the-fall-of-the-wall-i-feared-that-german-reunification-would-pose-a-threat-to-europe-a-736693.html#ref=rss Lothar Bisky was an East German university professor who became involved in politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall and later became co-leader of the far-left Left Party. In a SPIEGEL interview, he explains why he opposed German reunification and his fear that a reunited Germany would swing to the far right. Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:35:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/left-wing-politician-on-the-fall-of-the-wall-i-feared-that-german-reunification-would-pose-a-threat-to-europe-a-736693.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-is-germany-s-left-party-a-threat-to-democracy-a-707888.html#ref=rss A top court in Germany has ruled that the country's domestic intelligence agency may monitor the far-left Left Party. Commentators on Thursday argue that the party may have many failings, but a desire to overthrow democracy isn't one of them. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:49:28 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-is-germany-s-left-party-a-threat-to-democracy-a-707888.html A top court in Germany has ruled that the country's domestic intelligence agency may monitor the far-left Left Party. Commentators on Thursday argue that the party may have many failings, but a desire to overthrow democracy isn't one of them.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-lafontaine-s-exit-has-come-too-late-for-the-spd-a-673869.html#ref=rss Oskar Lafontaine, the populist leader of Germany's Left Party, has stepped down for health reasons. He was a thorn in the side of the center-left Social Democrats, and his departure removes an obstacle to a broad left-wing alliance that could pose problems for Chancellor Angela Merkel, commentators say. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:15:45 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-lafontaine-s-exit-has-come-too-late-for-the-spd-a-673869.html Oskar Lafontaine, the populist leader of Germany's Left Party, has stepped down for health reasons. He was a thorn in the side of the center-left Social Democrats, and his departure removes an obstacle to a broad left-wing alliance that could pose problems for Chancellor Angela Merkel, commentators say.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/brandenburg-government-under-fire-stasi-spy-revelations-rock-german-state-a-665059.html#ref=rss For years, centrist politicians in Germany shunned the far-left Left Party for its rumored connections to East Germany's communist past. Now, just months after the SPD began rethinking that position, numerous Left Party parliamentarians in Brandenburg have been exposed as former Stasi informants. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:19:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/brandenburg-government-under-fire-stasi-spy-revelations-rock-german-state-a-665059.html For years, centrist politicians in Germany shunned the far-left Left Party for its rumored connections to East Germany's communist past. Now, just months after the SPD began rethinking that position, numerous Left Party parliamentarians in Brandenburg have been exposed as former Stasi informants.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/shock-announcement-left-party-leader-oskar-lafontaine-has-cancer-a-662018.html#ref=rss Left Party leader Oskar Lafontaine has announced he is suffering from cancer. The news has shocked the German political establishment and raised questions about the future of the far-left party, which has recently been gaining more and more support. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:32:11 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/shock-announcement-left-party-leader-oskar-lafontaine-has-cancer-a-662018.html Left Party leader Oskar Lafontaine has announced he is suffering from cancer. The news has shocked the German political establishment and raised questions about the future of the far-left party, which has recently been gaining more and more support.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/victorious-opposition-left-party-celebrates-while-greens-quarrel-a-651686.html#ref=rss The Left Party was celebrating its historic election result on Sunday night but for the Greens there was disappointment. While the Left Party's position as a protest party seems to have gone down well with voters, the Greens had to constantly explain which party they wanted to govern with. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/victorious-opposition-left-party-celebrates-while-greens-quarrel-a-651686.html The Left Party was celebrating its historic election result on Sunday night but for the Greens there was disappointment. While the Left Party's position as a protest party seems to have gone down well with voters, the Greens had to constantly explain which party they wanted to govern with.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-party-that-can-no-longer-be-ignored-will-germany-go-left-of-the-left-a-651100.html#ref=rss At the far-left Left Party headquarters in Berlin there is a conflict of cultures, a war between dreamers and realists, mavericks and demagogues. Yet the party recently celebrated success in state elections. Once considered a motley crew of outsiders, the Left Party is an increasingly influential political force in Germany. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:56:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-party-that-can-no-longer-be-ignored-will-germany-go-left-of-the-left-a-651100.html At the far-left Left Party headquarters in Berlin there is a conflict of cultures, a war between dreamers and realists, mavericks and demagogues. Yet the party recently celebrated success in state elections. Once considered a motley crew of outsiders, the Left Party is an increasingly influential political force in Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/where-do-they-stand-a-quick-guide-to-germany-s-political-parties-a-651388.html#ref=rss Is the CDU, SPD, FDP and CSU just alphabet soup to you? SPIEGEL ONLINE has put together a quick overview of Germany's political parties to help you navigate our coverage from Berlin. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/where-do-they-stand-a-quick-guide-to-germany-s-political-parties-a-651388.html Is the CDU, SPD, FDP and CSU just alphabet soup to you? SPIEGEL ONLINE has put together a quick overview of Germany's political parties to help you navigate our coverage from Berlin.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/troops-out-but-all-in-good-time-left-party-signals-new-tone-on-afghanistan-a-649875.html#ref=rss There's been a subtle but significant change in Germany's left-wing Left Party's rhetoric regarding the country's most important foreign policy issue, Afghanistan. The party seems to be backpedaling on demands for an immediate withdrawal of German troops. Is the shift an attempt to cozy up to potential coalition partners? Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:05:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/troops-out-but-all-in-good-time-left-party-signals-new-tone-on-afghanistan-a-649875.html There's been a subtle but significant change in Germany's left-wing Left Party's rhetoric regarding the country's most important foreign policy issue, Afghanistan. The party seems to be backpedaling on demands for an immediate withdrawal of German troops. Is the shift an attempt to cozy up to potential coalition partners?]]>