German politics

German lawmakers confirm Friedrich Merz as chancellor in a second vote

4:25am May 06, 2025

by Michel Martin

Friedrich Merz won the vote to become the next German chancellor on Tuesday after a second vote in parliament, hours after an unprecedented defeat in the first round of voting.

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Germany's domestic intelligence labels right-wing AfD party as extremist

4:02pm May 02, 2025

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has formally designated the Alternative for Germany party as extremist, a move likely to further isolate the country's largest opposition party.

Elon Musk's latest foray into politics: a live chat with Germany's far-right candidate

4:27am January 10, 2025

by Esme Nicholson

With Germany's election in six weeks, Elon Musk was full of praise for his livestream guest on X: Alice Weidel, the far-right Alternative for Germany party's candidate for chancellor.

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She fled during Assad's regime. Now this Syrian activist is considering going home

7:14am December 12, 2024

Germany hosts almost a million Syrians who fled war and dictatorship. The toppling of the Assad regime has raised questions for exiles about their next step.

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Deputies of Ensemble pour la République shout to the left-

France's toppled government adds to the European Union's bigger political problems

5:29pm December 05, 2024

The political instability in France — and simultaneously in Germany, where the governing coalition collapsed a month ago — could have wide-ranging consequences.

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Germany's coalition government collapses as Chancellor Scholz fires his finance chief

5:45pm November 06, 2024

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner, signaling a collapse of the three-party coalition governing Germany. Opposition leaders are calling for quick elections.

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5 takeaways from Germany's regional elections after far right makes historic gains

6:38am September 02, 2024

The Alternative for Germany party made huge gains in two eastern states, handing the German far right its best results since World War II.

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A German far-right party wins its first state election

2:32pm September 01, 2024

The far-right Alternative for Germany won a state election for the first time Sunday in the country's east, and was set to finish at least a very close second in a second vote, projections showed.

Members of three German parties at the signing of a coalition agreement are (from left) Social Democrats Norbert Walter-Borjan, Saskia Esken and new Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Free Democrat Christian Lindner, and the Green party's Robert Habeck and Annalena

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What you need to know about Germany's new chancellor and coalition government

2:56pm December 08, 2021

by Rob Schmitz

Social Democratic politician Olaf Scholz takes over from center-right Angela Merkel as chancellor to lead a coalition of three different parties in government.

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Social Democratic Party leader Olaf Scholz is the front-runner in the polls to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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This Is The Candidate To Beat In The Race To Become Germany's Next Leader

5:03am September 14, 2021

by Rob Schmitz

Social Democratic Party leader Olaf Scholz, the front-runner in the polls to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is credited for transforming Hamburg when he was the city's mayor.