With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.
Germany's dual citizenship reform was hailed as a modern step forward by many. But conservatives - and others - can't stop talking about its problems. Rachel Loxton analyses why the reform is so controversial in Germany and what effect it has.
As Germany heads into full-on election mode, you can expect the obligatory cheesy posters on lampposts, immigrant-bashing, some arguing back and forth and - soon - lots of coalition wrangling, says Brian Melican.
More than eight years after the UK's Brexit vote, a majority of EU citizens would like a closer relationship with Britain and many Brits are now prepared to ditch their Brexit red lines, a new survey has revealed.
With just three months left until Germany heads to the polls, a new survey has revealed the top issues that Germans are feeling most concerned about right now.
Stuck in an economic slump without a functioning government, Germany needs to self-reflect and face up to difficult choices - especially when it comes to energy - in order to get back on track, writes former German Ambassador to UK Thomas Matussek.
Any effort to combat anti-Semitism should be uncontroversial. But a resolution passed in Germany is under fire by many - including from the Jewish community - who say it will limit freedom of expression. James Jackson analyses what's going on.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House may be catastrophic for US democracy. It could be even more destructive for Europe, writes John Lichfield.
As countries within the EU reintroduce checks on their Schengen zone borders, columnist John Lichfield looks at why this threat to the 'invisible achievement' of open borders matters to the whole of Europe.
Pharmacies are running out of drugs, hospital are running out of equipment and money and it's getting harder to get a basic doctor's appointment. Brian Melican spells out just how ailing the healthcare system in Germany is.
Swapping the national "moanfest" for the cheerier Oktoberfest, columnist Brian Melican looks ahead to what will be the likeliest outcome of Germany's general election scheduled a year from now – and explains why he and readers of The Local are right to be worried.
With the British and French election results being kind on Germany, the main problems for Berlin this summer will be homegrown, explains Brian Melican.
Pupils in Germany are funnelled off into different schools at the age of 11, which map out whether they go down an academic or vocational route. But this model is unfair and disastrous for social mobility, says James Jackson.
Despite months of scandals, the far-right AfD made significant gains in both the EU and local elections at the start of June. What does this mean for foreigners in the country?
Germany's health service is known as one of the best in the world but securing a timely appointment with a doctor is getting harder. A creaking system and the culture around excessive doctor visits are part of the problem, argues Brian Melican.
Germany is struggling so much under the weight of bureaucracy that it would take even more red tape to make things better, writes Jörg Luyken. Is there any hope for the beleaguered Bundesrepublik?
Following much controversy, Germany's new cannabis act partially legalising the drug is now in force. Brian Melican writes about why that's not a moment too soon.
As Ukraine marks a sombre anniversary in Russia’s full-scale invasion of its territory, Germany’s dithering leadership and strategy in supporting Kyiv has actually increased the risk of war spreading further in Europe, argues Aaron Burnett.
News of Germany's right-wing extremists meeting to discuss how to deport immigrants, even ones with German passports, spells bad news for those thinking of taking up dual citizenship, writes Brian Melican.
Nothing sums up Germany's cautious relationship with money quite as well as the debt brake - but this little clause in the constitution has recently caused no end of chaos. Here's what you need to know about the so-called 'Schuldenbremse'.
Ever since the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7th, a particular German word has been used more than ever before: “Staatsräson.” But what does it mean and where does it come from?
Munich's world famous Oktoberfest is back to its boisterous best after the pandemic. But beer hall chit chat is revealing an uneasy political landscape ahead of Bavaria's state elections on October 8th, writes Brian Melican.
Is Germany's economy really going down the drain, or is the country falling victim to a self-fulfilling prophesy that can still be reversed? There's reason to hope for the latter, writes Brian Melican.
The German obsession with wandering the forests in search of wild mushrooms has hit such heights that some experts worry it could damage ecosystems. What's behind the craze? Jörg Luyken investigates.
What does it take to get to know a city? An understanding of the culture and being able to speak the language? That definitely helps. But The Local’s Rachel Loxton argues gaining knowledge of the public transport system is the key to settling into a new place.
