About: Germany
Outgoing German spy chief sacked for branding SPD as ‘radical left’
Germany's outgoing domestic intelligence chief was sacked on Monday (5 November) over a speech given behind closed doors condemning "naive and leftist" government policies and hinting that he was considering entering politics.
Following election losses, SPD leader questions German ruling coalition
In a fresh blow for Chancellor Angela Merkel, her CDU conservatives and the social-democrats from the SPD suffered major losses in the regional elections in Hesse on Sunday (29 October), prompting SPD party leader Andrea Nahles to question the future of the national ruling coalition.
Germany’s coal commission agrees first post-coal strategy steps
Members of Germany's coal exit commission unanimously adopted on Wednesday (25 October) the first major policy recommendations for those lignite mining regions affected by a future coal power phase-out. EURACTIV's media partner Clean Energy Wire reports.
After Bavaria, Germany expects a second electoral quake in Hesse
Germany’s shaky ruling coalition faces yet another bloody nose in a regional election in Hesse on Sunday (28 October) as the latest polls suggest a replay of the Bavarian scenario, with the Greens registering strong gains and the far-right AfD entering the regional parliament.
German economy booms but Brexit and US clouds are on the horizon
The German economic powerhouse is booming. But its export-centric model is drawing complaints from other eurozone countries and the United States.
Merkel promises new legislation to ward off diesel driving bans
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, campaigning for her Christian Democrats (CDU) to retain control of the crucial state of Hesse in next Sunday’s election, promised legislation to ward off the threat of air pollution leading to driving bans.
Merkel: No arms exports to Saudi Arabia until ‘monstrous’ killing cleared up
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (22 October) called the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul a "monstrosity" and vowed to halt all German arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the case is cleared up.
Bavarian elections stability test for Merkel’s grand coalition
The Christian Social Union (CSU), German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s sister party, has lost its absolute majority in Sunday’s (14 October) state elections, in another defeat for the fragile German “grand coalition”. “Of course today is not an easy day for...
Green Party ends conservative CSU’s 61-year political dominance in Bavaria
In a vote it called "historic", the Green Party ended the absolute majority of conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria on Sunday (14 October) and became the second strongest political force in a state election whose result will resonate in Berlin and beyond and further dent Chancellor Angela Merkel's position.
German minister: Rescue package for Italy won’t be necessary
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Thursday (11 October) he did not expect Italy to need aid to deal with its debt pile. Any intervention by the European Central Bank would require Italy to formally apply for a rescue programme, sources said.
UN’s latest stark climate report is proof the EU must end fossil fuel age
On Saturday, as top climate scientists were putting the final touches to the latest shattering UN report on climate science, thousands of people were protesting against the expansion of one of Europe’s biggest, dirtiest coalmines, writes Jagoda Munic.
With Brexit looming, Germany and Britain ramp up defence cooperation
Britain signed a military cooperation agreement with Germany on Friday (5 October), emphasising London's commitment to helping shield Europe from future security threats at a time when negotiations over its own exit from the EU are reaching a crunch time.
Salvini threatens to shut airports over migrant ‘charter flights’ from Germany
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini threatened Sunday (7 October) to shut the country's airports after media reported that Germany planned to send charter flights of rejected asylum-seekers to Italy.
European elections: German government wants threshold for fringe parties
Before the European elections next May, Germany's grand coalition wants to introduce a 2% threshold to prevent small political parties from entering the European Parliament. The German Federal Constitutional Court has, however, repeatedly ruled out such a possibility. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Great Expectations from COP24’s Polish hosts
Poland’s turn at holding the UN’s annual climate summit is meant to be the one shot at making the Paris Agreement a reality. But the hosts also want to make sure “no-one gets left behind” by what promises to be a major societal change.
Germany to ease immigration rules to fight worker shortage
Worker-starved Germany will ease immigration rules to attract foreign jobseekers, including giving well-integrated irregular migrants in employment a shot at staying, ministers said Tuesday (2 October).
European Commission abandons plans to raise climate ambition
The European Commission has given up plans to ramp up Europe's 40% emissions reduction goal for 2030 to 45%, according to German media. But the EU executive insists that a formal increase was never on the table.
Macron’s ‘En Marche’ kicks off election campaign in Germany
After last week's European election campaign kickoff in France, Macron's "En Marche" aims to drum its electorate against populism in Germany, too. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Erdogan’s Germany visit exposes splits despite warmer tone
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan showed a more conciliatory tone on a hugely sensitive visit to Germany but both sides still have daunting task ahead to rebuild relations and trust battered by a succession of disputes.
Struggles at home hamper Germany’s role in the EU
The power struggles in Germany's grand coalition, such as the Maaßen case, are eyed with growing concern from abroad. What does the EU think about the state of the Bundesregierung? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany selects lower gear, supports 30% CO2 car cuts
Germany’s environment ministry revealed on Wednesday (26 September) that the Bundesrepublik will back an EU-wide 30% CO2 cut for cars and vans - lower than expected by green NGOs - ahead of an important vote in the European Parliament next week.
Germany: Maaßen reshuffled from one post to another
Germany’s controversial constitutional protection chief Hans-Georg Maaßen may have had to leave his current post but he has already been promoted to state secretary in the German Ministry of the Interior. EURACTIV Germany's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
World’s first hydrogen train leaves station in Germany
The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train service began operating in Germany on Sunday (16 September), while EU ministers debated the future potential of the clean fuel at an informal summit in Austria this week.