Terrorism

Hunt continues after Hanover bomb threat

UPDATED: No explosives or attackers have yet been discovered in Hanover after intelligence led security authorities to cancel a planned friendly football game against the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

European Union

EU refugee rules are 'obsolete': Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that the European Union's asylum rules were "obsolete" as they put the burden on EU states where migrants first arrive to process claims for refugee status.

Immigration

Germany challenges EU to agree on refugee plan

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel published a 10-point plan on Monday to reform the way Europe deals with refugees.

greece

Greece bailout passes with massive majority

UPDATE:German MPs voted 542-32 in favour of extending Greece's bailout programme on Friday.

Election

'Stick to the plan': Germany to Greece

UPDATE:German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects the new Greek government to uphold its commitments to international creditors, her spokesman said Monday after the electoral triumph of Greece's anti-austerity leftists Syriza.

European Union

Germany to launch EU charm offensive

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday he hoped to rectify his country's image in Europe, where Germany is often accused of being behind tough belt-tightening economic policies.

trade

Berlin praises Obama's US-EU free trade plan

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Wednesday welcomed US President Barack Obama's commitments to nuclear disarmament and a transatlantic free trade initiative in his State of the Union address.

Economy

Merkel praises Spanish PM for economic reforms

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, under fire at home over corruption allegations, won praise Monday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel over his handling of Spain's recession-mired economy.

European Union

Merkel, Hollande to meet before EU summit

German and French leaders will hold talks before an EU summit later Thursday over the bloc's seven-year budget, both capitals said, with Berlin adding it would be "no drama" if no deal was done.

Europe

German MPs get more say in EU decisions

Germany's top court on Tuesday boosted the parliament's role in future talks on European treaties but analysts said it would not affect Chancellor Angela Merkel's chances of ratifying an EU bailout fund.

Elections

'The failure of the FDP is a further weakening of Merkel's coalition'

Germany's Free Democrats are unrepentant after taking an electoral battering in the Berlin state poll on Sunday. The Local’s media roundup explores the implications for Chancellor Angela Merkel's fractious coalition.

Russia

Merkel in Moscow to mark VE Day

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday took part in Moscow ceremonies to mark the end of World War II in Europe. Her invitation by President Dmitry Medvedev is seen as a sign of improving relations between Germany and Russia.