The Local Germany

Sexual harassment rife in workplaces: report

Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:20:11 +0100

In a survey of workers presented on Tuesday, Germany's anti-discrimination office found that half of respondents had experienced sexual harassment and that only 19 percent knew their legal rights.

Search on for 'bullied' BER chief's successor

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:16:00 +0100

Managing Berlin's grounded BER airport project carries a high-flying annual salary, reportedly around €600,000 plus a hefty bonus. But who will land in the hot seat vacated by Hartmut Mehdorn, who resigned on Monday after he said he was 'bullied'?

'And that's a good thing': goodbye Wowereit!

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:02:00 +0100

A chapter in Berlin's political history has closed as long-time mayor Klaus Wowereit has stepped down and the city senate has elected Michael Müller to be the capital's new helmsman on Thursday.

Michael Müller will be Berlin's next mayor

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 18:17:00 +0200

Berlin’s development senator, who led the controversial project to develop Tempelhof Airport, will be the capital’s next mayor. Michael Müller won almost 60 percent of the vote among members of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Saturday.

One of these men will be Berlin's next mayor

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:42:00 +0200

Three men are hoping to become Berlin’s next mayor after Klaus Wowereit steps down in December. With nominations closing on Monday, The Local looks at the three politicians who want to lead the city.

Olympic visions compete in Berlin and Hamburg

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:32:00 +0200

Germany's capital and its gateway to the North Sea each released details of their Olympic bids on Monday as the race for the 2024 or 2028 summer games nominations picks up momentum.

Wowereit confirms December resignation

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:58:00 +0200

UPDATE: Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's long-serving mayor, confirmed on Tuesday he would step down from his post on December 11th. His popularity has taken a dive over the scandal of Berlin's new international airport.

'Champagne socialist' mayor loses his fizz

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:29:00 +0100

Pressure is mounting on Berlin’s long-serving mayor over revelations he knew a close political ally had avoided paying taxes on money stashed in a Swiss bank. The mayor has tried to avoid the scandal while on a ski break.

Berlin airport's 2014 opening cancelled again

Wed, 08 Jan 2014 09:40:00 +0100

Berlin's much-delayed international airport will not open this year, the city's mayor said on Tuesday, dispelling hopes the troubled venture could at least partially begin flights in 2014.

Sparks (not planes) fly over Berlin's airport

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:35:00 +0200

The technical director of Berlin’s embarrassingly delayed airport is to leave his position in favour of a more modest role heading an energy and water supply company, it emerged on Wednesday.

Insurance will save late airport's managers

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:30:00 +0100

The managers of Berlin’s much-delayed new airport will not be held liable for the enormous costs incurred by the repeated postponement – they are covered by an insurance policy.

President: we need a culture of togetherness

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:24:00 +0200

President Joachim Gauck called for greater public spirit and a culture of togetherness as he spoke in Berlin, not far from where a man was beaten to death a week ago.

Berlin airport debacle in committee spotlight

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:28:00 +0200

A committee on Friday opened its investigation into the mistakes and errors surrounding the new Berlin international airport - which is going to be very late and way over budget when it eventually opens.

Airport crowds laugh at Berlin mayor over delay

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:39:00 +0200

Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit was laughed down while addressing crowds visiting Berlin’s new international airport, which has been hit by catastrophic, embarrassing delays and, it emerged this weekend, is only half finished.

Berlin mayor wants to make Olympics bid

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:56:00 +0200

Less than a week after Munich’s Winter Olympics bid was defeated, Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit said he wants the German capital to host the Summer Games.

Thousands protest industrial agriculture during Green Week

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:41:00 +0100

With about 80 tractors leading the way through central Berlin, thousands of people gathered Saturday to protest factory farming and GM technology, a day after the Green Week food and farming trade fair opened in the German capital.

SPD vows to fight Greens if challenged for Berlin mayorship

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:33:00 +0200

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has vowed to fight the Greens should they challenge Klaus Wowereit for the office of Berlin mayor in the election scheduled for next autumn.

Whistles for Wowereit at Tempelhof park opening

Sat, 08 May 2010 17:34:00 +0200

Around 50 demonstrators whistled through Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit's speech at the opening of a new park on the former Tempelhof airfield on Saturday.

Berlin's Green Week begins amid GM controversy

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:14:00 +0100

German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner and Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit on Friday opened the the 75th International Green Week food and farming trade fair amid protests against genetically modified crops.

Why Berlin needs David Bowie and not a polar bear

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:11:00 +0100

As the departure of Berlin's world famous polar bear Knut appears imminent, Roger Boyes, correspondent for British daily The Times, muses why the German capital needs more Bowie and less bear.