The Local Germany

Germany predicts record number of jobs

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 14:32:00 +0200

Germany said on Wednesday its robust economy would fuel record employment this year and next as well as boost consumer spending and industrial investment.

Liberal MPs paid despite losing jobs

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:51:00 +0200

They were wiped out in the elections a month ago but as Germany slowly sorts out a government Liberal Party ministers remain in place. Their deputies will also be paid €22,000 over two months despite losing their seats in parliament.

Liberal collapse worrying for Brit Lib Dems too

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 18:50:00 +0200

Voters abandoned Germany's Liberal party in their droves on Sunday after the party spent four years in coalition with the Conservative CDU. The result should be a stark warning to Britain's Liberal Democrats, argues The Local's Tom Bristow.

Five ministers resign in Liberal party meltdown

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 12:17:00 +0200

The FDP meltdown continued late on Monday as the entire party leadership announced they would step down following Sunday's historic defeat. Five outgoing cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle fell on their swords.

Liberal leader quits after poor poll showing

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:15:00 +0200

UPDATE: The FDP's leader Philipp Rösler stepped down on Monday morning after the party's worst result in its 65-year history. The Liberals were blasted from power, out of parliament and into the political doldrums.

Your guide - The Free Democratic Party (FDP)

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 12:38:00 +0200

The Local's guide to Germany's major political parties ahead of the elections on September 22nd, looks at the Free Democratic Party (FDP) today.

Vice-Chancellor slates key government ideas

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 19:33:00 +0200

The chairman of Germany's junior coalition party caused a stir on Sunday by dismissing almost all of the ruling union's proposals, like childcare subsidies, as too expensive.

Germany slashes 2013 growth prognosis

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:44:00 +0200

The German government slashed its growth prognosis for next year from 1.6 percent to just 1.0 percent, Economy Minister Philipp Rösler said on Wednesday. He also marginally increased the forecast for the current year.

Doctor 'yoga-bonus' leaves coalition tense

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:19:00 +0200

German junior coalition partner, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) has called for a bonus for doctors who recommend holistic activities to patients, but the suggestion has been met with scepticism.

No let-up in coalition infighting over euro

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:37:00 +0200

The parties of Germany's ruling coalition continue throwing verbal barbs at one another over the euro crisis. The Free Democrats refuse to back down from their eurosceptic stance, despite demands from the Christian Democrats.

Rösler promises tax cuts for 2013

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:04:00 +0200

Economics Minister Philipp Rösler has reiterated his commitment to tax cuts in 2013, despite the government's struggles to balance its budget.

Rösler welcomes mooted Gazprom expansion

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:07:00 +0200

German Economy Minister Philipp Rösler would welcome increased investment by controversial Russian gas giant Gazprom - a topic for Chancellor Angela Merkel's meeting with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev this week

New FDP calls for end to parenting payment

Mon, 16 May 2011 11:00:00 +0200

In an effort to signal a break with the past and whip up fresh momentum, the pro-business Free Democrats have blasted the “bureaucratically fossilised welfare state” and called for an end to parenting payments.

Koch-Mehrin resigns due to plagiarism row

Thu, 12 May 2011 10:03:00 +0200

Free Democrats MEP Silvana Koch-Mehrin resigned from all her party positions, and her job as Vice President of the European Parliament on Wednesday evening in the wake of a scandal of alleged plagiarism in her doctoral thesis.

Rösler vows to renew embattled FDP

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:48:00 +0200

Health Minister Philipp Rösler vowed to restore credibility to the embattled Free Democrats on Tuesday as he was anointed to lead his party and become the new deputy chancellor.

Rösler frontrunner for new FDP leader

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:02:00 +0200

Health Minister Philipp Rösler was shaping up Monday morning as the most likely new leader of the Free Democrats as the business-friendly party geared up for generational change and tough times ahead.

German media roundup: Westerwelle steps down

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:48:00 +0200

The political body blows that have rained down on Free Democrats leader Guido Westerwelle for more than a year have finally taken their toll. But can his party recover? The Local’s press round-up gauges the debate.

Westerwelle visits Japan while FDP crisis continues at home

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:14:00 +0200

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was in Japan on Saturday to meet his counterpart Takeaki Matsumoto although a visit to the earthquake disaster area or the severely damaged nuclear power station Fukushima was not planned.

Dr. Rösler to the rescue: Health Minister attends to fainting woman

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:53:00 +0100

German Health Minister Philipp Rösler played the part of politician and paramedic on Thursday evening, after a woman began to feel faint during an event organised by his fellow Free Democrats in the state of Hessen.

Healthcare reforms approved by cabinet

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:25:00 +0200

Germany's 50 million members of statutory health insurance schemes will pay more for their health coverage after Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet approved sweeping changes to the system on Wednesday.