All tagged Politics
Recent protests across Germany against the far-right and the AfD have seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets, but questions remain about their lasting influence. Can such large scale demonstrations change people’s minds and will we see an impact in the polls?
When discussions on immigration and integration come up in Germany, the term Lietkultur is never too far behind. The idea that those coming to Germany need a set of “house rules” in order to live here has existed since the mid 90s, but can a national culture as diverse as Germany’s really be so easily codified?
During the political chaos of 2016, I naively assumed Germany could weather the storm of right-wing populism. With the AfD rising in the polls, I was clearly wrong, but might there still be room for optimism?
This week has been dominated by crude statements from CDU leader Friedrich Merz on integration and migrant communities. Why might this moment give British people a feeling of Deja Vu, and what does it have to do with former British PM David Cameron?
The simple question ‘How are you?’ can cause consternation in Germany. Germans will often see it as another example of dishonest and superficial English communication. With honesty seemingly prized by Germans in communication, is this the case in all areas of German life?
Can you judge a country by its leaders? It’s tempting, after all for many Germans Boris Johnson is the epitome of Britishness, while for the British, the robotic Olaf Scholz could only come from Germany. What do our elected leaders say about us and why might we wish they didn’t?
Olaf Scholz was sworn in on Wednesday, at the same time as he was being congratulated by both friends and foes, 1000 km away in Westminster a very different leader was facing the music. They may be polar opposites, but what can the Ampel-Koalition in Germany tell us about the dumpster fire of British government?
The frontrunners in the German election have been described as uncharismatic by critics from inside and outside Germany. Is there a benefit to keeping politics boring or do Germans deserve some excitement before casting their vote?
Watching an election in another language is only one difficulty of following the election campaign in Germany. There’s a lot to learn and more than a few unanswered questions. Is Plagiarism a serious issue, what happened to German foreign policy and why are Christian Lindner’s rolled up sleeves be cause for concern?
The idea of “German Angst” is one that has captured the imaginations of English speakers for decades. The image of a timid and fearful Germany is not only popularised internationally, but it also has currency at home too. Is Germany really afraid of the future and is that such a bad thing?
Months ago it looked like Germany was preparing for serious political change. The Green Party was surging ahead in the polls. However, minor scandals, attacks from rivals and media scrutiny have cast doubts. Will German voters opt for more of the same?
In some countries, the build up to an election can start years in advance. In Germany, some people only know an election is coming when the streets are suddenly covered in political posters. Are political posters really so important or is this just another example of low-tech Germany?
The simple question ‘How are you?’ can cause consternation in Germany. Is it really a question or another example of dishonest and superficial English communication? Honesty is seemingly prized by Germans in communication, but is this the case in all areas of German life?
Most of the time in Germany, people don’t consider me a migrant. Some will even complain about migrants in front of me. Is there a hierarchy of “good migrants”and why would some rather label me an expat?
What is the real symbol of Bavaria, the Crucifix or the Pretzel? Bavarian President Markus Söder thinks he knows, but which one would cause him more trouble?
Germany is working through some issues, so why is English language media so panicked?
With the German election at an end, we look at what is next for Germany's three largest parties.
There are many things Britain does well, but is it better to make sure some things stay where they are?
The question of what a country stands for on the global stage preoccupies the global political debate, but can a country truly define it's own culture in only ten points? If it can, what does it mean for everyone else?
