The Local Germany

Where does Germany's crisis-hit coalition go from here?

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 17:16:41 +0200

Germany's Social Democrats could end up deciding if the country faces snap elections, the leader of Angela Merkel's party said Monday, after her junior coalition partner sank into chaos over the resignation of its leader.

Crisis talks as Merkel's coalition suffers new blow

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 10:31:06 +0200

Parties in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government are set to hold separate crisis talks on Monday, after her fragile coalition suffered a fresh blow as the leader of junior partner SPD quit.

Update: 'We were wrong' about German spy chief's promotion: SPD boss Nahles

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 18:29:42 +0200

The leaders in Germany's grand coalition will renegotiate the planned promotion of the former head of the German domestic intelligence agency.

Germany ‘to block EU citizens from welfare for 5 years’

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:07:20 +0200

EU citizens moving to Germany could be shut out from welfare payments for five years under a draft law seen by German media outlets on Thursday.

Work hard and learn German or lose benefits, refugees told

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:21:51 +0100

Refugees could face cuts in their welfare payments if they refuse to integrate into German society, Labour Minister Andrea Nahles has said.

Let's get refugees working quickly: Merkel

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 17:47:15 +0200

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that getting large numbers of successful asylum seekers working would be the best way of integrating them into German society.

Strong economy boosts pension payouts

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:36:08 +0100

Low unemployment and high wages among the young mean Germany's 20.5 million pensioners can expect a higher income from July, after the Social Affairs Ministry said pensions would be increased by up to 2.5 percent.

Germany to pay €150m to unemployed to work

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 09:50:00 +0100

Labour Minister Andrea Nahles plans to create heavily subsidized jobs to deal with Germany's intractable long-term unemployment problem.

Anti-stress law moves step closer in Germany

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:47:00 +0200

Germany’s Labour Minister Andrea Nahles has given her backing to an anti-stress law, announcing a study into workers' mental health on Tuesday.

Minister unveils €60 billion pension reforms

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:29:00 +0100

Pensions will be boosted by €60 billion until 2020 by the coalition government, sparking protests that younger generations will have to foot the bill.

New SPD leaders flag fresh tax approach

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:39:00 +0100

The centre-left Social Democrats will rebuild their shattered reputation as a Volkspartei – or “people’s party” – new chairman Sigmar Gabriel announced Sunday, wrapping up the party's conference with a clear signal that there is a new generation in charge.

Gabriel urges SPD to avoid lurch to the left

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:21:00 +0100

The centre-left Social Democrats’ new chairman Sigmar Gabriel on Friday night called on his party to resist the urge to swing to the left despite its recent historic election loss, and instead to recapture the political centre.

SPD looks to regroup as Müntefering bows out

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:20:00 +0100

The end of an era arrived for the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) on Friday when veteran political operator and party chairman Franz Müntefering stepped down with a speech attempting to rally his beleaguered party at a conference in Dresden.