The Social Democrats gained one in four German votes but it was not the result their candidate, Peer SteinbrĂźck, was hoping for. It was at least better than in 2009 but at 25.7 percent it was still the partyâs second worst result since World War Two.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democrat rival Peer SteinbrĂźck will spend the next few days whizzing through the country in a final attempt to win votes. But they're managing to avoid each other - and sticking to their heartlands.
From politicians hoping to win votes through cookery videos, singing in parliament and handing out free toothbrushes while clad in a straw hat, the German election campaign has had some cringeworthy moments.
Tax rises, more investment in education, road tolls and foreign policy changes â the outcome of the German election will affect both expats living in Germany and people in other countries. Here we run through seven reasons why.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief election rival sparked a storm of derision on Friday by allowing himself to be photographed making the middle-finger gesture. But he has defended himself saying the photo showed a "sense of humour".
The Local's election guide turns its attentions today to Germany's second biggest party and Chancellor Angela Merkel's main challengers, the Social Democrats (SPD).
Police are probing an alleged attempt to blackmail Chancellor Angela Merkelâs election challenger over a cleaner employed 14 years ago. Peer SteinbrĂźck claimed the attempted blackmail was not a dirty election trick, two weeks before the polls.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and her challenger Peer SteinbrĂźck talked themselves to a draw in the only television debate of the German elections, with early polls failing to declare a clear winner.
Social Democrat chancellor candidate Peer SteinbrĂźck has gained ground in his battle to overcome Angela Merkel's commanding lead in popularity, but is still trailing way behind her, new polls suggest.
German workers pay among the highest tax rates in the world and depending on the outcome of the elections on September 22nd, they could get even higher.
Fairytales? Cake? Veggie Days? This is the most boring German election since 1949, argues Michael Wohlgemuth, a professor of economics, long-time election watcher, and director of thinktank Open Europe Berlin.
Central Berlin will be turned into a huge celebration of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) this weekend, with the famous Strasse des 17. Juni closed to traffic and crammed with beer and sausage stands and live music to mark the party's 150th anniversary.
Germany's general election may be looming, but it hasn't stopped the country's politicians heading off on their summer breaks in the middle of a campaign.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their coalition partners are set to win enough votes to continue to govern Germany after the general elections in seven weeks' time, a poll said Thursday.
Burdened by dismal poll ratings and a gaffe-prone candidate, Germany's centre-left Social Democrats will try to re-energise their campaign against popular Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government is doing better in polls than it has done for more than three years, with less than six months to go before the general election, a survey published on Wednesday showed.
Just days after Germany's main opposition party unveiled its manifesto for September's general election, its popularity slumped to its lowest ebb since June 2011, a poll showed on Thursday.
The Social Democrat who is challenging Chancellor Angela Merkel in this year's election has been snubbed by Italian president who has cancelled a planned meeting after he called two of the candidates in Italian elections "clowns."
Chancellor Angela Merkel's rival Peer SteinbrĂźck, kicked off on Sunday his bid to topple her in next year's election, pledging social equality and a clear pro-European policy.
The Social Democrat challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel has seriously damaged his party's reputation after just a month as its figurehead - because of a row over his highly paid speeches, a leading newspaper suggested on Friday.
Social Democrat Peer SteinbrĂźck attacked Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, saying she played a âdouble gameâ in the euro crisis, in the first clash between the two since his party elected him to challenge for the chancellorship.
Opposition chancellor candidate Peer SteinbrĂźck will give up his well-paid speech making business and his seat on the supervisory board of steel giant ThyssenKrupp â but has rejected calls to publish his tax returns.
Former finance minister Peer SteinbrĂźck Monday slammed Chancellor Angela Merkel's government as one of the worst in modern German history as he won unanimous party backing to challenge her at next year's elections.
Germany's main opposition party has decided on former finance minister Peer SteinbrĂźck to lead its challenge to Chancellor Angela Merkel in next autumnâs general election. âWe want to remove this government,â he said on Friday.
