The Local Germany

What protection does Germany have against future dictatorships?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:27:35 +0100

Some say democracy is threatened by populist politics and political actors with authoritarian goals. But in Germany the constitution is equipped with some of the strongest democratic protections.

Nearly a third of Germans 'believe in conspiracy theories': Study

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 17:07:38 +0200

Education level and political affiliation play a significant difference in whether a person in Germany is likely to believe in conspiracy theories.

Is Germany set to lower the voting age to 16?

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 18:31:13 +0200

21, 18 and now 16? 50 years after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, several German political parties are pushing for a further decline to 16 years.

Germany criminalises the burning of foreign flags

Fri, 15 May 2020 16:32:50 +0200

German parliament on Thursday made the burning of foreign flags a criminal offence, with a possible jail term of up to three years.

AfD complain of ‘Gestapo methods’ after hotels ban their leaders

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 18:28:07 +0200

At the end of June, around 600 Alternative for Germany (AfD) party delegates will descend upon the Bavarian city of Augsburg. But the decision by two hotels to cancel bookings by AfD members has thrown plans into confusion.

Ever more people worldwide living under dictatorship, German study finds

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 11:15:49 +0100

A study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung has come to the conclusion that a billion more people live under dictatorship now than was the case 15 years ago.

‘Verbal attacks have become part of everyday Jewish life in Germany’

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 12:03:29 +0100

The head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany argued in an interview that much more educational work needs to be done in schools to combat anti-Semitism.

German politics - 10 things you need to know

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 15:02:11 +0100

If you live in Germany it’s important to understand the basics of its political system. We explain ten fundamental aspects of how the country’s democracy works.

Merkel party calls to punish Erdogan over power grab

Fri, 20 May 2016 14:53:55 +0200

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will "raise concerns" over democracy in Turkey when she meets President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next week, her spokesman said Friday, as Ankara began a final vote on a contentious bill lifting parliamentary immunity.

Merkel calls for Hungary to protect civil rights

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 18:02:00 +0100

Chancellor Angela Merkel used a visit to Budapest on Monday to challenge right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban to end his crackdown on domestic dissenters and join other European nations in facing the Ukraine crisis.

Germans lose interest in voting as election looms

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:07:00 +0200

Germans are losing their appetite for elections more dramatically than any other western democracy bar Portugal, as disillusionment with politicians the main cause, a study released on Tuesday suggested.

Hungary slams critical German kids TV show

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:23:00 +0100

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban slammed on Friday as "brain-washing" an item on German television news for children that was highly critical about his government's adherence to democratic norms.

Germans want more direct democracy

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:18:00 +0200

A new study says that Germans are becoming less and less interested in traditional, party-based democracy, and want more referendums and more direct influence in political issues.

Iran's Ahmadinejad lacks true legitimacy

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:53:00 +0200

Germany and Europe must keep pressure on Iran despite the official inauguration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this week, urges Green party MP Kerstin Müller.

A perfect Saturday afternoon in Germany

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:51:00 +0100

David Wroe explains why some 1,600 burly Berlin cops sporting water cannons, a horde of marching neo-Nazis, and hundreds of angry leftist protesters make for a perfect Saturday afternoon in Germany.

Germans unhappy with how democracy works

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:42:00 +0200

An overwhelming majority of Germans support democracy, but many are highly critical of how their own form of government works, according to a new survey.

Only 60 percent of Germans have faith in democracy

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:32:00 +0200

Only 60 percent of Germans have faith in the country’s democratic system, according to a survey published on Tuesday.