http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sat, 25 May 2013 23:06:03 +0200 Sat, 25 May 2013 23:06:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-cites-rise-in-low-wage-workers-dependent-on-welfare-benefits-a-898693.html#ref=rss Germany's low unemployment rate is the envy of much of Europe. Yet it masks the difficulties many working Germans have in making ends meet and their reliance on welfare benefits. The issue could become important as the election campaign heats up. Wed, 08 May 2013 13:10:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-cites-rise-in-low-wage-workers-dependent-on-welfare-benefits-a-898693.html Germany's low unemployment rate is the envy of much of Europe. Yet it masks the difficulties many working Germans have in making ends meet and their reliance on welfare benefits. The issue could become important as the election campaign heats up.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-former-german-chancellor-gerhard-schroeder-on-foreign-policy-a-891839.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 68, talks about how difficult it is for citizens to accept military deployments abroad, the country's leadership role and what justifies war. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:19:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-former-german-chancellor-gerhard-schroeder-on-foreign-policy-a-891839.html In a SPIEGEL interview, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 68, talks about how difficult it is for citizens to accept military deployments abroad, the country's leadership role and what justifies war.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-social-democrats-still-reeling-from-decade-old-reform-package-a-888672.html#ref=rss The Agenda 2010 package of reforms German Social Democrats pushed through a decade ago played a huge role in the country's ability to weather recent economic crises. But the party itself has yet to recover -- and has abdicated its previous role as a driver of modernization. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:16:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-social-democrats-still-reeling-from-decade-old-reform-package-a-888672.html The Agenda 2010 package of reforms German Social Democrats pushed through a decade ago played a huge role in the country's ability to weather recent economic crises. But the party itself has yet to recover -- and has abdicated its previous role as a driver of modernization.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-social-democrats-lobby-for-kazakhstan-autocrat-a-888428.html#ref=rss European social democrats are allowing themselves to be used by Kazakhstan's autocratic leader. Not only do they advocate for his regime abroad, they're also supporting him in a family dispute with his former son-in-law. And large sums of money are reportedly changing hands. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:12:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-social-democrats-lobby-for-kazakhstan-autocrat-a-888428.html European social democrats are allowing themselves to be used by Kazakhstan's autocratic leader. Not only do they advocate for his regime abroad, they're also supporting him in a family dispute with his former son-in-law. And large sums of money are reportedly changing hands.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-888401.html#ref=rss He's not François Hollande, but one could be forgiven for believing he has taken his cue from the Socialist French president. On Monday, Peer Steinbrück, the chancellor candidate for the center-left Social Democratic Party, said he wants to significantly increase taxes for Germany's top earners if elected in September. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:32:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-888401.html He's not François Hollande, but one could be forgiven for believing he has taken his cue from the Socialist French president. On Monday, Peer Steinbrück, the chancellor candidate for the center-left Social Democratic Party, said he wants to significantly increase taxes for Germany's top earners if elected in September. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-opponent-steinbrueck-sets-conditions-for-cyprus-aid-support-a-881351.html#ref=rss Cyprus is badly in need of aid, but skepticism in Berlin appears to be growing. Chancellor Merkel's opponent in this year's election, Peer Steinbrück, has set a number of conditions that must be met before his party will support a bailout. There is a growing number of rebels in Merkel's camp as well. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:06:10 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-opponent-steinbrueck-sets-conditions-for-cyprus-aid-support-a-881351.html 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/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/lower-saxony-governor-david-mcallister-faces-difficult-state-election-a-876644.html#ref=rss With Braveheart-style bagpipe music, David McAllister, the half-Scottish governor of Lower Saxony, is fighting to stay in office in an election later this month. A loss wouldn't bode well for Chancellor Angela Merkel, who could suffer the same fate in the September. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lower-saxony-governor-david-mcallister-faces-difficult-state-election-a-876644.html 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/interview-with-spd-head-sigmar-gabriel-on-german-election-issues-a-876222.html#ref=rss Sigmar Gabriel, 53, is the national chairman of Germany's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), which hopes to return to power after national elections in September. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses recent controversies surrounding the party's chancellor candidate and his view of critical issues. Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-spd-head-sigmar-gabriel-on-german-election-issues-a-876222.html Sigmar Gabriel, 53, is the national chairman of Germany's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), which hopes to return to power after national elections in September. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses recent controversies surrounding the party's chancellor candidate and his view of critical issues.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-party-congress-elects-peer-steinbrueck-to-challenge-merkel-in-2013-a-871928.html#ref=rss Germany's opposition Social Democrats attempted to relaunch their campaign to oust Chancellor Angela Merkel in the 2013 election by giving strong backing on Sunday to their candidate, Peer Steinbrück. But he was not able to completely escape a scandal surrounding his extra-parliamentary earnings. Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:01:17 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-party-congress-elects-peer-steinbrueck-to-challenge-merkel-in-2013-a-871928.html Germany's opposition Social Democrats attempted to relaunch their campaign to oust Chancellor Angela Merkel in the 2013 election by giving strong backing on Sunday to their candidate, Peer Steinbrück. But he was not able to completely escape a scandal surrounding his extra-parliamentary earnings.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-opposition-spd-party-lacks-a-clear-course-on-the-euro-crisis-a-869988.html#ref=rss Last summer, Germany's opposition Social Democrats said they were through blindly following Chancellor Merkel's euro-crisis course. But on Friday, the party is once again set to support a package of aid measures for Greece. The lack of an alternative does not bode well for the party in next year's elections. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:38:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-opposition-spd-party-lacks-a-clear-course-on-the-euro-crisis-a-869988.html Last summer, Germany's opposition Social Democrats said they were through blindly following Chancellor Merkel's euro-crisis course. But on Friday, the party is once again set to support a package of aid measures for Greece. The lack of an alternative does not bode well for the party in next year's elections.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-comments-on-controversy-about-peer-steinbrueck-private-income-a-864475.html#ref=rss The debate over private income earned by Peer Steinbrück, the SPD's candidate to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2013, is likely to die down now that he has made a full disclosure, write German media commentators. But he may have done lasting damage to his standing within his own party. Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:18:46 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-comments-on-controversy-about-peer-steinbrueck-private-income-a-864475.html The debate over private income earned by Peer Steinbrück, the SPD's candidate to challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2013, is likely to die down now that he has made a full disclosure, write German media commentators. But he may have done lasting damage to his standing within his own party. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-candidate-peer-steinbrueck-reveals-income-to-end-controversy-a-864263.html#ref=rss Peer Steinbrück, Chancellor Angela Merkel's challenger in next year's election, sought to fend off damaging criticism of his private income from lectures on Tuesday by detailing all the money he has earned since he left office in 2009 as finance minister. He went further than parliamentary rules require him to. Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:54:14 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-candidate-peer-steinbrueck-reveals-income-to-end-controversy-a-864263.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-chancellor-candidate-steinbrueck-under-fire-for-extra-earnings-a-859475.html#ref=rss Social Democratic chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück is not rich by the standards of American candidates. But a debate has erupted in Germany over the amount of money he has recently earned from speaking engagements. Should he disclose more than he already has? Most commentators say no. Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-chancellor-candidate-steinbrueck-under-fire-for-extra-earnings-a-859475.html