German election 2017
Donations to German parties soar during elections, raising concerns
The financial statements of German political parties for 2017 once again demonstrated that business is particularly generous during elections, with the Union of CDU and CSU benefitting in particular. Critics argue that these donations distort democracy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The four candidates to succeed Merkel
Merz, Kramp-Karrenbauer, Spahn and Laschet – portraits of the four candidates to succeed Angela Merkel as CDU chair. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
CSU’s Seehofer offers to stand down over border bans
The leader of Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies, the CSU, offered to step down from his ministerial role and party leadership during a fiery closed-door meeting on Sunday ( 1 July).
The Brief – Bye bye Mannschaft
Let’s not pretend, we all watched the Germany game yesterday, in Berlaymont, in offices, in nearby pubs. At least the shocking end, Mannschaft’s first group stage exit from a World Cup in 70 years, which aroused considerable interest around the globe.
Germany optimistic about EU lifeline for Merkel, bilateral deals on migration
German officials hope to win support from other European Union states for deals on managing the further travel of refugees already on the bloc's territory – arrangements that could throw a lifeline to embattled Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Austria’s high hopes for Merkel 4.0
Good for Europe – this is how political observers in Austria comment on the election of Angela Merkel as the German Chancellor. Especially in European affairs, there are high hopes. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Social Democrats sign up to new Merkel-led German government
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) decisively backed another coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on Sunday (4 March), clearing the way for a new government in Europe's largest economy after months of political uncertainty.
Merkel forced to make ‘painful decisions’ on minister wishlist
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) will hold a special party convention today, during which the CDU base will vote on the coalition agreement. In advance, Merkel has announced her picks for ministerial posts. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Trans-Europe Express – Merkel can’t reform the EU alone
Since September 2017, one question has been weighing on Europe’s mind: What is actually going on in Germany?
Schulz resigns in bid to calm party ahead of coalition deal vote
German Social Democratic leader (SPD) Martin Schulz resigned on Tuesday (13 February), hoping to end turbulence that has rocked the centre-left party since it agreed a coalition deal with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.
Germany’s energy and climate policy is taking shape
The coalition agreement between the German Conservatives and the Social Democrats outlines a relatively ambitious energy policy. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.
Scholz likely to succeed Schäuble as German finance minister
Unemotional, pragmatic and very, very self-confident: Hamburg's still-mayor could become a formative figure of the German grand coalition. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.
Merkel, SPD face new criticism over German coalition deal
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) faced further criticism on Monday (12 February) from within their own parties over a new coalition deal that must still be approved by disgruntled SPD rank-and-file members.
Merkel defends coalition concessions, says ‘younger people’ needed in government
Angela Merkel on Sunday defended "painful" concessions she has made to the Social Democrats (SPD) to win a fourth term as German chancellor and said criticism among her conservatives was not a sign her authority was waning.
Trans-Europe Express: Mistrust is gaining ground in Europe
The wind of enthusiasm blown by the victory of President Emmanuel Macron last June has vanished. In a historic vote on Wednesday, the European Parliament rejected the innovative idea of transnational lists.
German coalition agreement: A document of distrust
CDU/CSU and SPD are laying their policies down to the last detail. SPD chairman Martin Schulz gives up his party lead to Andrea Nahles. But will this be enough for the SPD party base to agree in the vote on the agreement? A commentary from EURACTIV Germany’s media partner "Der Tagesspiegel.”
Merkel under fire from own ranks over coalition deal
Chancellor Angela Merkel faced criticism from within the ranks of her own conservatives today (8 February) for making concessions to her centre-left Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners to seal a governing alliance a day earlier.
German coalition deal: Reactions range between restraint and scepticism
“Tired, but satisfied,” the SPD negotiating team tweeted after an agreement on the new German government coalition was reached at noon on Wednesday. But the details of the deal might dissatisfy the party's base. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German parties reach coalition deal ‘in principle’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats agreed "in principle" on Wednesday (7 February) on a coalition deal, sources involved in the talks said, taking Europe's economic powerhouse a step closer to a new government.
German coalition agreement: No breakthrough for Europe yet
After a week of talks, German coalition negotiators agreed on the cornerstones of their new programme. But when a new government could actively participate in meaningful EU reform is still uncertain. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German SPD pushes for looser telecoms rules in coalition deal
German Social Democrats want to guarantee looser regulation of telecoms giants as part of a potential coalition plan to govern with Christian Democrats.
The final straight: Party leaders launch German coalition talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives open coalition talks with their Social Democrat (SPD) partners on Friday (26 September), four months after the September election that left Europe's largest economy in an unprecedented state of political limbo.
Merkel, Macron to deepen Franco-German cooperation, strengthen EU
Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (21 January) they wanted to deepen Franco-German cooperation and give the European Union a fresh push towards closer integration.