Germany
Fri, 19 Nov 2021 18:23:35 +0100The Violence of the Fourth Wave: "One Thing We Have Learned Is that COVID Is an Asshole"
Doctors and nurses at the intensive care ward in Leipzig University Hospital are fighting desperately to save the lives of corona truthers. It can be a thankless task.
Fri, 19 Nov 2021 17:17:41 +0100COVID in Germany: Study Finds Link Between Far Right and High Corona Rates
The number of coronavirus infections is rising sharply in parts of Germany where the far-right AfD party enjoys greater support. Is it a coincidence? Researchers took a close look at the corollaries and drew some conclusions that surprised even them.
Fri, 5 Nov 2021 17:12:56 +0100NATO, China and Nord Stream 2: Germany's Likely Future Coalition Partners Bicker over Foreign Policy
Getting three political parties to agree on anything is tough. In Germany, with coalition negotiations dragging on, that is proving especially true. A look at the differences of opinion within the foreign policy working group highlights the challenge...
Mon, 25 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0200Green Party Co-Leader Annalena Baerbock on Coalition Talks: "The Government Currently Being Formed Is Finally Going to Act"
Germany is still in the process of putting together a government following the September election. Green Party co-leader Annalena Baerbock speaks to DER SPIEGEL about progress on climate policy, the challenges of a three-party coalition and why Germa...
Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:02:11 +0200Axel Springer: Sexual Misconduct of Bild Editor Julian Reichelt Has a Long History
The sacking of Julian Reichelt, the editor-in-chief of Germany's top tabloid, only came after years of questionable conduct. New reporting shows that Axel Springer, the publishing house that owns the paper and just bought Politico, likely won't be ab...
Sat, 2 Oct 2021 00:35:49 +0200The Post-Merkel Era: German Conservatives Need to Take a Step Back
After 16 years in government and a disastrous election result, German conservatives have lost their way. It is time to stop pretending that they can be part of the next government and begin the process of renewal.
Fri, 1 Oct 2021 17:33:00 +0200The Success of the AfD: Why Is the Right Wing So Strong in Eastern Germany?
The right-wing radical party AfD emerged from last Sunday's election as the strongest political force in the eastern German states of Saxony and Thuringia. What did the mainstream parties do wrong?
Fri, 1 Oct 2021 15:33:33 +0200German Chancellor Frontrunner Olaf Scholz: “I Want To Make the World a Better Place”
In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats, the front-runner to become Germany’s next chancellor, discusses his plan to create a stable government and reveals what he has in common with Angela Merkel.
Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:55:15 +0200Germany's Kingmakers: Difficult Talks Ahead for Greens and Free Democrats
The Green Party and the business-friendly Free Democrats plan to hold exploratory talks with each other before meeting with the main chancellor candidates in the coming days. They appear to be worlds apart but are already finding some common ground.
Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:22:14 +0200Germany's AfD Bickers over Future Direction: The Radical Right Loses Ground
The right-wing populist party AfD sought to paper over its deep split between the moderate and extremist wings for the campaign. Now that the party won fewer votes than expected, that divide is once again front and center.
Tue, 28 Sep 2021 11:43:02 +0200What Election Disaster?: The Odd Parallel Universe of Armin Laschet
Armin Laschet, the chancellor candidate from Angela Merkel's CDU, refuses to accept his defeat. In his world, he can still become Germany's next leader.
Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:08:33 +0200German Voters Punish Merkel's Party in an Election Without a Clear Victor
As expected, German voters declined to choose a clear victor on Sunday, setting the stage for a difficult search for a governing coalition. Angela Merkel's CDU suffered an abysmal result while the Social Democrats have new life. Ultimately, though, t...
Fri, 24 Sep 2021 16:50:23 +0200German Officials Fear Increase in Pandemic-Fueled Radicalism in Wake of Murder
A man arrested for shooting and killing a 20-year-old gas station cashier last week appears to have been influenced by far-right ideologies and conspiracy theories. Security officials worry that a scene that denies the coronavirus is growing increasi...
Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:45:37 +0200An Opportunity Lost: How Germany's Green Party Went from Top to Flop
This spring, the Green Party was soaring in the polls and it even looked as though their candidate, Annalena Baerbock, could become chancellor. But then, it all fell apart. What happened?
Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:45:37 +0200Interview with Merkel’s Former Foreign Policy Adviser: “I Have Eliminated the ‘West’ from My Vocabulary”
Christoph Heusgen served for 12 years as Angela Merkel’s top foreign policy adviser. In an interview, he speaks about the chancellor’s successes, mistakes, the amateurish nature of Donald Trump’s government and the right approach to an ascendan...
Wed, 15 Sep 2021 18:22:00 +0200The Laschet Disaster: The Slow-Motion Collapse of Merkel's CDU
Angela Merkel's conservatives could be facing an historical debacle at the polls in this year's election. Their candidate, Armin Laschet, has been anything but inspiring, and his stumbles could have deep consequences for the stability of German polit...
Mon, 6 Sep 2021 16:33:19 +0200A First Look at Angela Merkel's Legacy: The Era of Missed Opportunities
Angela Merkel's 16 years as German chancellor have been characterized by crisis after crisis, most of them global in nature. Her intellect has been a critical tool in addressing those challenges, but her follow through left a lot to be desired.
Fri, 3 Sep 2021 11:17:31 +0200Germany's SPD on the Rise: Olaf Scholz Aims to Succeed Merkel By Emulating Her
Germany's Social Democrats appear to be rising from the dead as the general election approaches. In Olaf Scholz, the party has found a candidate whose leadership style could be a lot like Angela Merkel's.
Fri, 27 Aug 2021 17:49:46 +0200The End of the German Airlift: What Will Become of the Afghans Left Behind?
On Thursday, the German military suspended flights from Kabul. Thousands of people who worked for the Germans have been left behind. Berlin is hoping negotiations with the Taliban will give them a way out.
Tue, 24 Aug 2021 08:28:15 +0200German Foreign Minister on the Afghanistan Debacle: "I Don't Know If It's Possible to Completely Make Up for Everything"
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has been under fire since the fall of Kabul. In a DER SPIEGEL interview, he speaks about the mistakes that have been made and the dangers of the rescue operation currently under way in Afghanistan.