German State Elections

The Merkel Stain Chancellor Unwelcome in Upcoming Campaigns

Chancellor Angela Merkel may still be the most popular politician in Germany. But with state elections looming this year in eastern Germany, she is not a welcome guest on the campaign trail. She remains persona non grata in the east.

Chancellor Unwelcome in Upcoming Campaigns - REUTERS

Merkel's Bavaria Headache Berlin Coalition Emerges Even Weaker

It was an historic defeat for both the center-right Christian Social Union and the center-left Social Democrats. The aftershocks of the state election in Bavaria are likely to reach all the way to Berlin, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition even more wobbly that it was. Von Christian Teevs

Berlin Coalition Emerges Even Weaker - CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

CSU in Crisis What Went Wrong for Bavarian Conservatives?

For decades, the Christian Social Union in Bavaria has exerted outsized influence on Germany's national political stage. With state elections approaching on Sunday, however, the CSU finds itself embroiled in crisis. What went wrong? Von Markus Feldenkirchen

What Went Wrong for Bavarian Conservatives? - imago / Sebastian Widmann

State Election Debacle What's Wrong With Germany's Green Party

Germany's once high-flying Green Party is foundering in many states. After a disastrous election result in North Rhine-Westphalia, the party is promising change, but it may come too late for September's national poll. Von Annett Meiritz

What's Wrong With Germany's Green Party - DPA

North Rhine-Westfailing State Election Loss Has Merkel Challenger on the Ropes

The state election on Sunday in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, was supposed to give Martin Schulz's chancellor candidacy a needed boost. But his party, the Social Democrats, lost to Merkel's CDU. The road ahead looks bumpy. Von Florian Gathmann

State Election Loss Has Merkel Challenger on the Ropes - AP

Right-Wing Populist Doldrums Germany's AfD Limps into Election Campaign

Following months of ballot box success, the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany party is suddenly sliding. And more bad news may be on the horizon. The party is hoping for a resurgence of the refugee crisis, but even that might not be enough. Von Severin Weiland

Germany's AfD Limps into Election Campaign - DPA

SPD Doldrums State Election Loss Spells Trouble for Schulz Candidacy

In February, Social Democratic chancellor candidate Martin Schulz was riding a wave of popularity. Now, his party has lost two state elections in a row and another state vote is looming on Sunday. Can he get his campaign back on track? Von Florian Gathmann

State Election Loss Spells Trouble for Schulz Candidacy - AP

Down and Out? How Merkel Could Win Re-Election Next Year

With national elections just a year away, many have written Angela Merkel off. Yet even as her party continues to suffer in state elections, there are a host of reasons why the chancellor can hope for a fourth term -- assuming she decides to run. Von Roland Nelles

How Merkel Could Win Re-Election Next Year - AFP

The Rise of the Populists A Problem for Merkel and Germany

The state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania gave the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany a significant boost. It is a challenge for Chancellor Merkel and the entire country. Von Sebastian Fischer

A Problem for Merkel and Germany - REUTERS

Fury and the AfD Inside the Revolt against Angela Merkel

The success of the right-wing populist party AfD in recent state elections has shaken Germany. It is the expression of growing hatred of the elite among an expanding share of the population. Much of their anger is directed at Angela Merkel. By SPIEGEL Staff

Inside the Revolt against Angela Merkel - AP

Germany's Election Hangover The Right Wing Takes Flight

Every mainstream political party in Germany threw its support behind Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policies -- forcing doubters into the open arms of the right-wing populists. It's time for German politicians to be clearer about where they stand. Von Stefan Kuzmany

The Right Wing Takes Flight - Getty Images

Merkel's Last Stand? Chancellor Running Out of Time on Refugee Issue

Angela Merkel has repeatedly said that it will take time to solve the refugee crisis. But impatience is growing, particularly following the sexual assaults in Cologne. Voices of discontent are getting louder and the chancellor's hold on power may be weakening. By SPIEGEL Staff

Chancellor Running Out of Time on Refugee Issue - REUTERS

Angela's Agenda A Grand, Controversial Plan for Europe

Angela Merkel's domestic policy in her third term will likely be confined to higher spending. But she has grand plans for Europe. SPIEGEL has learned she wants Brussels to have far more power over national budgets. It's a risky move that EU partners and the Social Democrats are likely to oppose. Von SPIEGEL Staff

A Grand, Controversial Plan for Europe - DPA

The Other Election Stalemate in German State of Hesse

Voters in the German state of Hesse were also called upon on Sunday to choose a new government. The results of the election were anything but clear and coalition negotiations there promise to be drawn out and tedious.

Stalemate in German State of Hesse - DPA

Wiped Out Free Democrats Reel from Election Fiasco

The biggest losers of the German election are the pro-business Free Democrats, who failed to make it into parliament. After decades of playing kingmaker, its spectacular defeat marks a seismic shift in Germany's political landscape. Von Severin Weiland

Free Democrats Reel from Election Fiasco - AP/dpa

Life Support for FDP Merkel's Coalition Partner Needs Help

Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition partners, the Free Democrats, stumbled badly in Sunday's state election in Bavaria. The party hopes to convince conservatives to lend their votes in the general election next week. But Merkel is in no mood to be generous.

Merkel's Coalition Partner Needs Help - DPA

The Undecided How Merkel Could Lose

German voters are deciding later than ever whom to vote for this election cycle. That is not good news for Chancellor Angela Merkel. With party loyalty on the wane, many of her core supporters could defect for tactical reasons at the last minute. Von Melanie Amann, Peter Müller und Gordon Repinski

Peer Steinbrück 'Merkel's One-Sided Crisis Management Is a Mistake'

In an interview with SPIEGEL, Peer Steinbrück, the 66-year-old Social Democrat German chancellor candidate, says Chancellor Angela Merkel's strict focus on austerity in the debt crisis has been wrong. He also vows to crack down on tax evaders and raise taxes on high earners.

'Merkel's One-Sided Crisis Management Is a Mistake' - DPA

Muzzled Merkel Opponent Put on Short Leash

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. Von Horand Knaup, Gordon Repinski, Michael Sauga, Merlind Theile und Konstantin von Hammerstein

Merkel Opponent Put on Short Leash - REUTERS

He's Back State Vote Gives Social Democrats New Life

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. Von David Crossland