Olaf Scholz has seen his popularity ratings plummet in Germany amid the Ukraine crisis. After a promising start, the Chancellor has retreated into Merkel-era habits that no longer match the country he is leading, writes Brian Melican.
Ever-worsening brutalities are unfolding in Ukraine day by day, but Germany remains set on blocking a Russian gas embargo. If it doesn't change course, it could find itself complicit in an ugly repeat of history, writes Brian Melican.
Would you prefer to travel across Europe by train rather than plane this summer? It’s not nearly as simple as it should be, especially given the urgency of the climate crisis, explains specialist Jon Worth.
Germany was meant to lift most Covid measures on March 20th. Instead, politicians and many residents are still gripped by Covid panic even though other countries have found ways to move forward, writes Brian Melican.
A long-awaited change to Germany’s punitive abortion laws is underway, but some believe it stops far short of what's needed. Here’s what you need to know.
Russia's ruthless and illegal invasion of Ukraine has meant Germany can no longer hide behind its post-war policy of pacifism. Hard lessons need to be learned, writes Brian Melican.
The German government will vote on the introduction of a general Covid vaccine mandate in April. But with numerous bills competing in the Bundestag, will any of them be able to get enough support to pass?
World War II and Nazism weighs heavily in Germans' living memories, shaping how people see Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the political response, writes Deborah Cole.
For those of us living in Europe now, this is a scary and dangerous time, writes The Local's James Savage. The threat from Russia leaves European leaders with no easy choices, but peace and democracy in Europe depend on what they do next.
As Russia launches a full-scale attack on Ukraine, western powers are preparing another raft of sanctions that are likely to go much further than the previous ones. What does this mean for ordinary people in Germany?
After Russia officially recognised two rebel-held regions of Ukraine as independent states, Germany mustered the strength to call an indefinite halt to Nord Stream 2. Better late than never, writes Brian Melican, but why was the pipeline project allowed to get this far in the first place?
It's easy to jump to conclusions when we see people breaking the mask-wearing rule. But with some medical conditions making wearing face-coverings almost unbearable, it's high time that Berlin took a more understanding approach, writes David Matthews.
From one of the most powerful German politicians being patronised on TV to workplace misogyny and backwards reproductive rights, Caitlin Hardee says it's high time Germany addressed its sexism problem.
While many other countries relax Covid measures, Germany remains stuck in a rut despite the Omicron variant changing the situation dramatically. Brian Melican asks why Germany can't get out of its 'Groundhog Day'.
As neighbouring countries let their restrictions fall away, the message from the Germans has been all about holding a steady course. But with calls for a reopening of public life growing louder, could we start to see a relaxation of rules in the coming weeks?
Over the last few weeks, there have been some impactful rule changes dictating who counts as vaccinated, recovered and boosted in Germany. We delved deeper and spoke to an expert to see what the scientific evidence is behind them.
From dealing with the unexpected and embracing culture to the hell of German bureaucracy and flat-hunting, here's what The Local's Rachel Loxton has learned from living in Berlin.
As Germany is slammed for failing to take a firm stance against Russia in the Ukraine crisis, Brian Melican examines the two countries' complicated history, and how "ostalgia" and fishy deals have led to the Nord Stream II pipeline getting this far.
Germany's 2G-plus regulations - meaning you have to be vaccinated/recovered and boosted or tested to get into most public places - have left millions of people unsure if they need a test or not, writes Rachel Loxton.
With Germany introducing tighter restrictions on vaccinated people - the latest in a long line of convoluted rules - Brian Melican explains the typical German traits that have made the measures harder to live with and pleads for common sense.
When German Minister Annalena Baerbock's speech in English was mocked on social media, many foreigners in Germany leapt to her defence. But Germans have a history of snobbishness when it comes to judging others on speaking English, says Brian Melican.
Germany has officially entered the post-Merkel era with new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Although similar to his predecessor in some ways, Scholz has the potential to be a stronger leader - and embrace change, writes Brian Melican.
The near-obsession by Germans - at least those who want the Covid jab - to get the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and nothing else reveals the downsides and dysfunctionality of country's health system, writes Brian Melican.
The rocketing Covid cases and rising patient numbers has seen Germany lurch once again towards national hysteria and the current strategy means the country's incoming government are in danger of committing political suicide, writes Brian Melican.
