http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 18:02:50 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 18:02:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/star-german-rapper-bushido-accused-of-organized-crime-ties-a-896123.html#ref=rss Many have viewed the German rapper Bushido as an example of successful integration. Recent revelations about ties to an organized crime group in Berlin, however, have muddied the picture and reinforced widespread stereotypes. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/star-german-rapper-bushido-accused-of-organized-crime-ties-a-896123.html Many have viewed the German rapper Bushido as an example of successful integration. Recent revelations about ties to an organized crime group in Berlin, however, have muddied the picture and reinforced widespread stereotypes.]]> 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/community-leader-calls-for-muslim-holidays-a-891610.html#ref=rss Germany is home to some 4 million Muslims. With the long Easter weekend around the corner, a leading member of the country's Muslim community has called for legal recognition of two Muslim holidays, drawing criticism from among Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling conservatives. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:50:41 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/community-leader-calls-for-muslim-holidays-a-891610.html Germany is home to some 4 million Muslims. With the long Easter weekend around the corner, a leading member of the country's Muslim community has called for legal recognition of two Muslim holidays, drawing criticism from among Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling conservatives.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-new-germans-three-children-of-immigrants-share-their-stories-a-858563.html#ref=rss One thing unites Khuê Pham, Özlem Topçu and Alice Bota: They are German citizens and the children of migrants in a country that has long struggled to define its relationship with foreigners. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, they describe the alienation of being first-generation Germans, but also their new role as their home becomes more cosmopolitan. Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-new-germans-three-children-of-immigrants-share-their-stories-a-858563.html One thing unites Khuê Pham, Özlem Topçu and Alice Bota: They are German citizens and the children of migrants in a country that has long struggled to define its relationship with foreigners. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, they describe the alienation of being first-generation Germans, but also their new role as their home becomes more cosmopolitan.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/survey-turks-in-germany-willing-to-integrate-but-more-religious-a-850607.html#ref=rss Hardly a year goes by in Germany without a shrill debate on immigration and Islam. Despite the public hand-wringing, however, those in the country with a Turkish background are increasingly eager to integrate, according to a new survey. But younger Turks are also becoming more religious. Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:45:26 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/survey-turks-in-germany-willing-to-integrate-but-more-religious-a-850607.html Hardly a year goes by in Germany without a shrill debate on immigration and Islam. Despite the public hand-wringing, however, those in the country with a Turkish background are increasingly eager to integrate, according to a new survey. But younger Turks are also becoming more religious.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/controversial-german-author-thilo-sarrazin-launches-book-on-euro-crisis-a-834459.html#ref=rss Germany is Europe's paymaster because it committed the Holocaust, claims a new book by Thilo Sarrazin, a firebrand author and former board member of the German central bank. The claim by the controversial writer achieved the desired effect of stoking publicity for Tuesday's launch of 'Europe Doesn't Need the Euro.' Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:15 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/controversial-german-author-thilo-sarrazin-launches-book-on-euro-crisis-a-834459.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-unsurprising-that-some-muslims-don-t-identify-with-germany-a-818880.html#ref=rss An enormous study released on Thursday on Muslims in Germany has once again triggered a widespread debate on integration. This time, however, Muslims themselves aren't the focus of debate but, rather, the Interior Ministry's handling of the report. German commentators say the minister is on his way to losing the trust of the country's Muslim population. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:23:24 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-unsurprising-that-some-muslims-don-t-identify-with-germany-a-818880.html An enormous study released on Thursday on Muslims in Germany has once again triggered a widespread debate on integration. This time, however, Muslims themselves aren't the focus of debate but, rather, the Interior Ministry's handling of the report. German commentators say the minister is on his way to losing the trust of the country's Muslim population.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/muslims-in-germany-study-hints-that-mutual-suspicion-is-slowing-integration-a-818666.html#ref=rss A new integration study released on Thursday has triggered yet another debate about the role of Islam in Germany. The report found that a surprising number of non-German Muslims are skeptical about integrating into society. But the country's own doubts about immigration may have muddied the data. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:54:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/muslims-in-germany-study-hints-that-mutual-suspicion-is-slowing-integration-a-818666.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/muslims-as-a-mirror-germany-s-unhealthy-obsession-with-islam-a-781577.html#ref=rss Muslims in Germany have been accused of many things, from threatening the feminist cause to trying to destroy German society through "demographic jihad." It isn't the Muslims that are the problem, however, but rather our obsession with Islam. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/muslims-as-a-mirror-germany-s-unhealthy-obsession-with-islam-a-781577.html Muslims in Germany have been accused of many things, from threatening the feminist cause to trying to destroy German society through "demographic jihad." It isn't the Muslims that are the problem, however, but rather our obsession with Islam.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-interior-minister-german-identity-is-shaped-by-christianity-a-779032.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich discusses the motives of Norwegian killer Anders Breivik, calls for an end to anonymity on the Internet and explains why Islam is not part of German identity. Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-interior-minister-german-identity-is-shaped-by-christianity-a-779032.html In a SPIEGEL interview, German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich discusses the motives of Norwegian killer Anders Breivik, calls for an end to anonymity on the Internet and explains why Islam is not part of German identity.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/no-kebab-for-sarrazin-divisive-author-chased-out-of-immigrant-district-a-775043.html#ref=rss Angry Muslims reportedly drove controversial author Thilo Sarrazin from a Turkish restaurant in Berlin. Though his bestselling book claims Muslims are dumbing down German society, their accusations of racism have left the former central bank board member shocked and indignant. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:16:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/no-kebab-for-sarrazin-divisive-author-chased-out-of-immigrant-district-a-775043.html Angry Muslims reportedly drove controversial author Thilo Sarrazin from a Turkish restaurant in Berlin. Though his bestselling book claims Muslims are dumbing down German society, their accusations of racism have left the former central bank board member shocked and indignant.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/opinion-could-sarrazin-be-right-about-integration-in-germany-a-760937.html#ref=rss Controversial German Social Democrat Thilo Sarrazin has been spared expulsion by his center-left party despite his claims that immigrants are making the country dumber. Now it's time to take a sober look at the real points he was trying to make. Fri, 06 May 2011 13:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/opinion-could-sarrazin-be-right-about-integration-in-germany-a-760937.html Controversial German Social Democrat Thilo Sarrazin has been spared expulsion by his center-left party despite his claims that immigrants are making the country dumber. Now it's time to take a sober look at the real points he was trying to make.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/victory-for-sarrazin-firebrand-politician-can-remain-a-social-democrat-a-758709.html#ref=rss Thilo Sarrazin, the German Social Democrat who attracted attention last year with his controversial book claiming that immigrants to Germany were dumbing down the country, will not be booted out of the party. He apologized on Thursday and the case against him was quickly abandoned. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:27:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/victory-for-sarrazin-firebrand-politician-can-remain-a-social-democrat-a-758709.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/demagogue-faces-ouster-from-party-social-democrats-go-after-islam-critic-sarrazin-a-758462.html#ref=rss Muslims, Sarrazin wrote, are dumbing Germany down. That sentiment and many others like it made the former German central banker a bestselling author last year. Now, the Social Democrats are trying to throw him out of the party -- but many fear the case could do damage to the already beleaguered SPD. Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:15:48 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/demagogue-faces-ouster-from-party-social-democrats-go-after-islam-critic-sarrazin-a-758462.html Muslims, Sarrazin wrote, are dumbing Germany down. That sentiment and many others like it made the former German central banker a bestselling author last year. Now, the Social Democrats are trying to throw him out of the party -- but many fear the case could do damage to the already beleaguered SPD.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/guttenberg-blues-embattled-seehofer-calls-for-immigrants-to-learn-german-a-750131.html#ref=rss On Wednesday, Horst Seehofer, the head of Bavaria's conservative Christian Social Union, called for an amendment to the state's constitution that would force immigrants to learn German to a certain level. Seehofer's critics believe he is merely fanning the immigration debate to divert attention away from the recent scandal surrounding his party's once-rising star. Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:40:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/guttenberg-blues-embattled-seehofer-calls-for-immigrants-to-learn-german-a-750131.html On Wednesday, Horst Seehofer, the head of Bavaria's conservative Christian Social Union, called for an amendment to the state's constitution that would force immigrants to learn German to a certain level. Seehofer's critics believe he is merely fanning the immigration debate to divert attention away from the recent scandal surrounding his party's once-rising star. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-slap-in-the-face-for-muslims-new-german-interior-minister-reopens-integration-debate-a-749477.html#ref=rss German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich had hardly joined the government before touching off another round in the Muslim integration debate. The resulting controversy, combined with the Guttenberg plagiarism scandal, could hardly come at a less convenient time for Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-slap-in-the-face-for-muslims-new-german-interior-minister-reopens-integration-debate-a-749477.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-a-lesson-from-the-right-wing-populists-book-a-749449.html#ref=rss Germany's new interior minister touched off controversy within hours of taking office when he said that Islam did not historically "belong" to Germany, causing Muslim groups to react furiously. On Monday, editorialists wonder whether the comments were inspired by upcoming elections. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:19:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-a-lesson-from-the-right-wing-populists-book-a-749449.html Germany's new interior minister touched off controversy within hours of taking office when he said that Islam did not historically "belong" to Germany, causing Muslim groups to react furiously. On Monday, editorialists wonder whether the comments were inspired by upcoming elections.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-turkish-prime-minister-erdogan-wants-to-be-the-father-a-748379.html#ref=rss Comments made by Turkey's prime minister to the country's diaspora living in Germany have angered some conservatives. Recep Tayyip Erdogan says immigrant children should learn Turkish first and then German. Newspaper commentators remain deeply divided over the prime minister's visit. Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:59:19 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-turkish-prime-minister-erdogan-wants-to-be-the-father-a-748379.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/erdogan-urges-turks-not-to-assimilate-you-are-part-of-germany-but-also-part-of-our-great-turkey-a-748070.html#ref=rss Thousands of Turkish immigrants gave Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a rock star welcome in Germany on Sunday in a show of national pride that remains fervent, even after decades spent in Germany. He told them they remain part of Turkey, and urged them to integrate into German society -- but not to assimilate. Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:48:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/erdogan-urges-turks-not-to-assimilate-you-are-part-of-germany-but-also-part-of-our-great-turkey-a-748070.html Thousands of Turkish immigrants gave Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a rock star welcome in Germany on Sunday in a show of national pride that remains fervent, even after decades spent in Germany. He told them they remain part of Turkey, and urged them to integrate into German society -- but not to assimilate. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/debating-integration-competing-views-on-germany-s-immigrants-a-747239.html#ref=rss Immigration is a heated topic in Germany. SPIEGEL recently sat down with two experts -- a Turkish-born sociologist and a German-born journalist -- to explore the issue. And found that a reasoned debate is difficult to come by. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:12:34 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/debating-integration-competing-views-on-germany-s-immigrants-a-747239.html