https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Olaf Scholz was officially voted in as German Chancellor on Wednesday, bringing to an end Angela Merkel's eventful 16 years in power. But with numerous crises raging simultaneously, nobody is expecting it to be an easy term for the new government. https://www.thelocal.de/20211208/five-challenges-facing-germanys-new-government Wed, 08 Dec 2021 18:37:31 +0100 five-challenges-facing-germanys-new-government Two and a half months after the federal elections on September 26th, the three parties of the incoming 'traffic light' coalition - the SPD, Greens and FDP - have formally signed their coalition agreement at a public ceremony in Berlin. https://www.thelocal.de/20211207/breaking-germanys-traffic-light-parties-sign-coalition-agreement-in-berlin Tue, 07 Dec 2021 10:36:27 +0100 breaking-germanys-traffic-light-parties-sign-coalition-agreement-in-berlin In a press conference held after the signing of the new government's coalition agreement in Berlin, incoming Chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed 'threatening' protests against Covid restrictions and vaccinations. https://www.thelocal.de/20211207/germanys-new-government-condemns-aggressive-anti-vax-movement Tue, 07 Dec 2021 13:49:42 +0100 germanys-new-government-condemns-aggressive-anti-vax-movement The Social Democrats' Karl Lauterbach, who has emerged as a high profile yet sometimes controversial figure in the pandemic, is to become Germany's new Health Minister. https://www.thelocal.de/20211206/karl-lauterbach-to-become-germanys-next-health-minister Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:41:31 +0100 karl-lauterbach-to-become-germanys-next-health-minister Often described as austere, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz nonetheless managed to inspire German voters in this year's election with a campaign. https://www.thelocal.de/20211206/olaf-scholz-germanys-staid-but-steady-next-chancellor Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:05:32 +0100 olaf-scholz-germanys-staid-but-steady-next-chancellor The centre-left-led alliance forming Germany's next government has declared ambitions to make the Bundesrepublik greener and fairer. https://www.thelocal.de/20211206/climate-weed-and-citizenship-the-new-german-governments-roadmap Mon, 06 Dec 2021 10:40:36 +0100 climate-weed-and-citizenship-the-new-german-governments-roadmap Finance Minister Olaf Scholz is expected to be officially elected German chancellor on December 8th, replacing Angela Merkel after 16 years at the helm, parliament said in a planning statement on Thursday. https://www.thelocal.de/20211202/scholzs-election-as-german-chancellor-planned-for-december-8th Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:14:00 +0100 scholzs-election-as-german-chancellor-planned-for-december-8th Angela Merkel's departure from the political stage after 16 years as chancellor has not only ushered in a new era in Germany but also shakes up the power balance in the EU. https://www.thelocal.de/20211201/europe-seeks-new-leader-as-merkel-exits-the-political-stage Wed, 01 Dec 2021 10:47:14 +0100 europe-seeks-new-leader-as-merkel-exits-the-political-stage A former medal-winning trampolinist, Annalena Baerbock is no stranger to aiming high. But the 40-year-old's next leap will be her biggest yet as she becomes Germany's first woman foreign minister. https://www.thelocal.de/20211128/annalena-baerbock-germanys-first-woman-top-diplomat Sun, 28 Nov 2021 19:15:40 +0100 annalena-baerbock-germanys-first-woman-top-diplomat What does the coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP mean for the everyday lives of people living in Germany? Tenants, teens, families and car owners will all be affected under the new plans. Here are a few of them that may impact you. https://www.thelocal.de/20211125/how-the-coalition-agreement-changes-everyday-life-in-germany Thu, 25 Nov 2021 18:09:45 +0100 how-the-coalition-agreement-changes-everyday-life-in-germany From ambitious climate targets to reforming trans rights - here's everything you need to know about what Germany's next government wants to do while they're in power. https://www.thelocal.de/20211124/key-points-germanys-next-government-unveils-coalition-pact Wed, 24 Nov 2021 19:43:59 +0100 key-points-germanys-next-government-unveils-coalition-pact Green party co-leader Annalena Baerbock is to become Germany's first woman foreign minister, her party announced Thursday, as the country's incoming coalition government takes shape. https://www.thelocal.de/20211126/annalena-baerbock-to-become-germanys-first-woman-foreign-minister Fri, 26 Nov 2021 11:37:12 +0100 annalena-baerbock-to-become-germanys-first-woman-foreign-minister Germany's new traffic light coalition has a fitting name - they have lofty ambitions for the transport sector. Now under the control of the Free Democrats, the transport ministry will focus on e-mobility, modernising the railways and bringing local public transport up to scratch. https://www.thelocal.de/20211125/e-cars-and-sleeper-trains-how-germanys-new-government-will-reform-transport Thu, 25 Nov 2021 16:43:03 +0100 e-cars-and-sleeper-trains-how-germanys-new-government-will-reform-transport Germany's new government has pledged to spend big on the economy, climate change and social security -- but without raising taxes or taking on more debt, leaving many asking where the money is going to come from. https://www.thelocal.de/20211125/no-debt-no-tax-hikes-german-government-faces-public-spending-paradox Thu, 25 Nov 2021 17:30:57 +0100 no-debt-no-tax-hikes-german-government-faces-public-spending-paradox The coalition agreement of the incoming government was released in a whirlwind on Wednesday afternoon, but there are still a few hurdles for the SPD, Greens and FDP before Olaf Scholz can take charge of the chancellery. Here's what happens next. https://www.thelocal.de/20211125/when-will-germanys-new-government-be-in-place Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:15:58 +0100 when-will-germanys-new-government-be-in-place With the fourth wave of Covid infections in full swing, the traffic light parties have set out plans for dealing with the continuing pandemic. Here’s what’s in the coalition agreement. https://www.thelocal.de/20211125/how-germanys-next-government-plans-to-fight-covid Thu, 25 Nov 2021 12:31:17 +0100 how-germanys-next-government-plans-to-fight-covid The three parties set to form Germany's next governing coalition have set out their plans for the next four years, including the introduction of a €12 minimum wage, massive expansion of renewable energy and the legalisation of cannabis. https://www.thelocal.de/20211124/germanys-next-government-sets-out-roadmap-for-post-merkel-era Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:15:54 +0100 germanys-next-government-sets-out-roadmap-for-post-merkel-era Germany’s new government thwarted a plan by outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel to put in place a two-week Austria-style national lockdown, German tabloid Bild reported on Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.de/20211124/germanys-new-coalition-government-thwarted-merkel-plan-for-two-week-lockdown Wed, 24 Nov 2021 18:45:42 +0100 germanys-new-coalition-government-thwarted-merkel-plan-for-two-week-lockdown The new German government’s plan to tackle the country’s affordable housing crisis includes a promise to extend the rent brake and build 400,000 new apartments each year. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20211124/revealed-how-germanys-new-government-wants-to-tackle-the-housing-crisis Wed, 24 Nov 2021 18:30:51 +0100 revealed-how-germanys-new-government-wants-to-tackle-the-housing-crisis The new coalition agreement unveiled on Wednesday states that the new government will enable dual nationality and lower the bar for German citizenship. https://www.thelocal.de/20211124/germanys-coalition-government-to-allow-dual-nationality Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:35:57 +0100 germanys-coalition-government-to-allow-dual-nationality