GERMANY NEWS

GERMANY NEWS

1. Alternative for Democracy: The AfD's Ongoing Slide toward Right-Wing Extremism

   In recent state elections, the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany won almost a quarter of the votes. It was primarily radical candidates from the right-wing fringe who emerged triumphant. The party is continuing its slide into extremism. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

2. Saving Food Waste: A Crash Course in Dumpster Diving

   Taking food out of supermarket dumpsters is illegal in Germany. But the practice is growing in popularity. Even as some stores try to keep the dumpster divers away, those interested can sign up for courses in "beginner diving."

3. Brandenburg Elections: Leading German Populist Has Extremist Background

   The right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) insists that it has nothing to do with neo-Nazis. But its lead candidate in the state of Brandenburg, where voters will cast their ballots on Sunday, has deep extremist roots.

4. Economic Downturn: Germany May Abandon Its Beloved Black Zero

   Chancellor Angela Merkel is still clinging to her policy of a balanced budget, but it is becoming increasingly clear that Germany's economic downturn could soon usher in a return to deficit spending. Government ministries are already signaling a willingness to abandoned years of cautious fiscal policy.

5. Radio Silence: German-U.S. Ties Are Breaking Down

   Never since the founding of postwar Germany have relations between Berlin and the United States been as fragile as they are today. There is virtual radio silence between Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump and U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell is doing more to agitate the situation than to mediate.

6. Murder in Frankfurt: The Struggle to Find Answers to Random Crime

   On Monday, an eight-year-old boy got pushed in front of a train in Frankfurt and died. The crime has horrified the entire country and right-wing populists have sought to instrumentalize it. But can such acts of violence really be prevented? By DER SPIEGEL Staff

7. To Russia With Love: Relations with Moscow Emerge as German Election Issue

   With elections looming in three former East German states this fall, many leading politicians see rapprochement with Russia as a winning campaign strategy. But this perspective puts them in direct confrontation with Chancellor Angela Merkel's government in Berlin.

8. The Huawei Dilemma: Resistance to Chinese Mobile Provider Grows Among Conservatives

   In Germany, the debate is growing in conservative political circles as to whether it should prohibit Chinese network equipment provider Huawei from helping to build the country's 5G network. But at the moment, Berlin doesn't really have any other choice.

9. Far-Right AfD: Germany's Populist Party Embraces Its Extremist Wing

   The far-right fringe of Germany's populist Alternative for Germany party is gaining ground. Politicians in the party who once opposed the wing and its leader, Björn Höcke, have abandoned their resistance and are taking steps to embrace the extremists.

10. The Road to Brussels: Does Von der Leyen Have a Chance as Commission President?

    The nomination of German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president came as a surprise. And many are unhappy. It not only undermines efforts to make the EU more democratic, but she may not be confirmed.