Business
German voters turn to left and far-right as 'disaster' for ruling CDU threatens pro-growth reforms
Another local election drubbing for the ruling CDU has increased political instability and threatens growth prospects, economists said.
Advertisement
Topic
German
World
Germany's car crisis: Can the 35-hour workweek survive?
German carmakers want employees to work 40 hours instead of the current 35 without extra pay, arguing it would improve competitiveness. Unions strongly oppose the proposal and view it as an attack on workers' rights.
World
Germany's auto crisis: Can the 35-hour workweek survive?
German carmakers want employees to work 40 hours instead of the current 35 without extra pay, arguing it would improve competitiveness. Unions strongly oppose the proposal and view it as an attack on workers' rights.
Politics
Five takeaways from Germany's regional elections after far-right gains
Sunday's elections in two German states resulted in the defeat of the country's ruling CDU, a result described as a “disaster” by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in the northeast of the country, the far-right AfD became the strongest party while the hard-left Die Linke led the polls in Berlin.
Politics
German state elections deal a blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have dealt the CDU a historic defeat while the AfD saw a massive gain. The pressure on Germany's unpopular chancellor is mounting.
Politics
Why Merz is staying on as German chancellor after election 'disaster'
Berlin correspondent Jess Parker explains why German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to stay on despite exit polls in two local elections suggesting damaging defeats for his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
Politics
Germany: Merz vows to "push on despite setbacks"
German voters have delivered a fresh setback to Chancellor Friedrich Merz in two key regional elections.
World
German Chancellor Merz calls state election a 'disaster' for his party but vows to stay on
Exit polls show damaging losses for Merz's centre-right CDU party in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin.
Advertisement
Politics
Germany: Could regional polls force Friedrich Merz to step down?
Polling is underway in the German capital Berlin and the largely rural state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for regional elections. Both elections are seen as a test for Germany's centre-right Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He has already scheduled a crisis meeting and decided to skip this week's UN General Assembly to deal with the potential fallout. Could he be forced to step down based on the election’s results? Details and analysis by Yann Wernert, senior policy fellow at the Jacques Delors Centre in Berlin.
Politics
Will German's far right party AfD win over two more regions?
Two weeks after the far-right AfD won its first major regional election in Germany, two more eastern states vote this Sunday. Polls have just opened in the capital, Berlin, and the largely rural state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Berlin, Jörg Taszman.
World
German elections under way which could decide fate of Chancellor Merz
The chancellor is facing intense political pressure which will increase if his party struggles in Sunday's polls.
World
Germany’s Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania states head to polls
About 3.8 million people in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are eligible to vote on Sunday.
World
German-Russian relations at freezing point
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine destroyed the once-close relationship between Moscow and Berlin. Yet the far-right AfD is calling for a normalization of relations.
Politics
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: SPD seeks to fend off AfD
For nearly three decades, the Social Democrats have governed Germany's northeastern state. If they can fend off the AfD, the result may boost the fortunes of the German government's junior coalition partner.
Politics
Germany news: Campaigns wrap up in two state elections
Parties are campaigning for a last day ahead of polls in Mecklenburg-Vorpomerania and Berlin. And an association responsible for German sea ports says they are at high risk from cyberattacks and sabotage. DW has more.
World
German police probe arson attack on Wuppertal synagogue
The man detained shortly after allegedly trying to set fire to Wuppertal's synagogue made antisemitic comments to the arresting officers, prosecutors say. The 37-year-old Afghan citizen also had knives in his apartment.
Advertisement
Business
Why Germany's Volkswagen could cut 100,000 jobs
Europe's biggest automaker, Volkswagen, faces Chinese competition, high costs and US tariffs. What could its restructuring mean for the German car industry?
World
New study shows German football remains male-dominated
The top leagues of German football remain a largely male environment. A new study reveals that only seven clubs have women in upper management levels.
World
Influential humanists: These are the winners of the Goethe Medal 2026
The prestigious German cultural award recognizes the artistic work and commitment to cultural dialogue of Arvo Pärt, Anita Raja and Prodromos Tsinikoris.
World
This extremely successful author polarizes German readers
She's young and she says what she thinks: Caroline Wahl is topping Germany's bestseller lists with her novels. But she has also faced a public backlash.