All tagged SPD

A Winter of Discontent

2024 is only two weeks old, but in Germany it already feels as febrile as the last twelve months. The Bauernproteste, along with the rail strikes have to a feeling that things are beginning to fall apart. IS this Germany’s winter of discontent, and is there any light at the end of the tunnel?

Sliding Right

There was shock this week as some polls suggested that Germany’s far-right AfD party may become the second largest in the country. This may seem surprising, but to anyone living in Britain, the patterns seem awfully familiar. What might Germany learn from Britain’s decade long slide to the right?

A Trap For Fools

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 Grass is Always Greener

This week, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach presented key points for the possible legalization of cannabis to the public. Although hurdles to legal weed remain, a change in law could come by 2024. What form will legal cannabis culture in Germany take, and will it ever be accepted?

Unfit by Comparison

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?

Vote Boring

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?

Lessons in German Politics

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?

Keeping It Conservative

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?

Germany's Political Posters

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?

Everybody loves Angela

Angela Merkel is often praised as a progressive leader, usually from those outside the country. The ‘Merkel is a progressive’ meme is powerful in the English speaking world, but does that mean it’s true? How progressive is the German chancellor, and if so, shouldn’t there be more progress?