The Local Germany

Macron confident future German government won't oppose EU reforms

Sat, 14 Oct 2017 11:57:29 +0200

France's President Emmanuel Macron expressed confidence on Friday that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's potential coalition partners would not oppose his ambitious plans to reform the European Union.

Macron urges Merkel to fight for EU reforms in Frankfurt

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 19:06:09 +0200

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday pleaded his case for ambitious European reforms, appealing to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to join forces with him and enter the debate.

Merkel pushes for Greece deal at Euro meet

Fri, 22 May 2015 09:59:17 +0200

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras held "friendly and constructive" debt talks with the leaders of France and Germany Thursday, but gave no sign of a breakthrough ahead of a crucial June deadline.

Merkel downplays Greek meeting hopes

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 09:47:26 +0100

Update: The German government again played down expectations ahead of a meeting between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday, saying it would not lead to a quick-fix solution of Greece's problems.

'Five Wise Men' warn Germany not to relax

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:47:00 +0100

Germany must not ease up or back track on economic reforms, the government's panel of economic advisors said on Wednesday as the European Commission placed the country under scrutiny for its large trade surplus.

Germany: Portugal will stick to reforms

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:54:00 +0200

Germany is "confident" Portugal will stick to reforms agreed with creditors to unlock bailout funds, a government spokesman said on Wednesday amid fears the Portuguese governing coalition could be close to collapse.

CDU plans minor tax reform as growth surges

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:41:00 +0200

The surprisingly strong economic recovery in Germany has Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) planning small tax reforms worth some €500 million, a media report said on Monday.

Traditions like smoking are not worth defending

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:13:00 +0200

The opponents of Bavaria’s strict smoking ban have lost, just like most people whose arguments are based on tradition rather than reason, argues Malte Lehming from Der Tagesspiegel.

Critics savage Rösler's health reform plan

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:21:00 +0200

The centre-right government’s health reform plan was blasted Wednesday by opposition parties, unions and insurers as a failure to tackle the deep problems with the health system that would burden the poorest.

Bidding the Iron Lady Chancellor auf Wiedersehen

Mon, 10 May 2010 16:56:00 +0200

The state election debacle in North Rhine-Westphalia for the Christian Democrats has finally robbed Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition of its reformist illusions, writes The Local’s Marc Young.

Rösler mulling extra per capita health insurance premium

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

German Health Minister Philipp Rösler plans to tack a monthly per capita premium of €29 on health insurance beginning in 2011 to make up for deficits at statutory insurers, a media report said on Monday.

Merkel’s stealth reform agenda

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:12:00 +0100

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s new centre-right coalition of conservative Christian Democrats and pro-business Free Democrats wants to avoid being stigmatised as a callous, neoliberal reform project. But Zeit Online’s Katharina Schuler argues the government has already set Germany on the path for dramatic change.

Social Democrats demand leftward lurch

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:03:00 +0200

Leading members of Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats are demanding the party tack to the left on economic issues in light of the continuing success of the hard-line socialist Left Party.