In Germany, Angela Merkel’s party elects the pragmatic Armin Laschet as leader
3 years, 11 months ago

In Germany, Angela Merkel’s party elects the pragmatic Armin Laschet as leader

LA Times  

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right party on Saturday chose Armin Laschet, the pragmatic governor of Germany’s most populous state, as its new leader — sending a signal of continuity months before an election in which voters will decide who becomes the new chancellor. “We must be able to integrate, hold society together.” He said that the party needs “the continuity of success” and “we will only win if we remain strong in the middle of society.” Laschet said that “there are many people who, above all, find Angela Merkel good and only after that the CDU.” He added that ”we need this trust now as a party” and that “we must work for this trust.” Laschet beat Merz, a former rival of Merkel who was making his second attempt in recent years to win the CDU leadership, by 521 votes to 466. Saturday’s vote ends a nearly yearlong limbo in Germany’s strongest party since outgoing leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who narrowly beat Merz in 2018 to succeed Merkel as CDU leader but failed to impose her authority, announced her resignation. Laschet called for unity after Saturday’s vote and said Merz remains “an important personality for us.” “All the questions that will face us after the pandemic need a broad consensus in our party,” he said.

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History of this topic

Scholz dismisses Musk’s assertion that only a far-right party can ‘save’ Germany
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Scholz dismisses Musk’s assertion that only a far-right party can ‘save’ Germany

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday dismissed an assertion by Elon Musk that only a far-right party can “save Germany,” but said that freedom of opinion “also goes for multibillionaires.” Germany is expected to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s …

Germany’s Scholz loses a confidence vote, setting up an early election in February
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Germany’s Scholz loses a confidence vote, setting up an early election in February

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday, putting the European Union’s most populous member and biggest economy on course to hold an early election in February. Scholz leads a minority government after his unpopular and notoriously rancorous three-party coalition collapsed on Nov. 6 when he fired his finance minister in a dispute …

Germany is heading for federal elections – here’s what you need to know
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Germany is heading for federal elections – here’s what you need to know

CNN  

CNN — Germany, Europe’s largest economy and normally a pillar of stability, is facing snap elections next year after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence. Leonie von Randow, a political reporter at German broadcaster WELT TV who will be covering the election campaign, told CNN that Merz “knows a thing or two about the economy, and that is …

Germany's Scholz to face confidence vote
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Germany's Scholz to face confidence vote

China Daily  

By Earle Gale in London | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-12-12 03:23 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks to reporters, after a December 16 confidence vote request was submitted, in Berlin, Germany December 11, 2024. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz formally set wheels in motion on Wednesday that will culminate in a general election at the end of February. The embattled national leader, …

Germany's far-right AfD party nominates a candidate for chancellor in the upcoming election
Trending News
1 month ago

Germany's far-right AfD party nominates a candidate for chancellor in the upcoming election

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The far-right Alternative for Germany …

Germany’s far-right AfD party nominates a candidate for chancellor in the upcoming election
1 month ago

Germany’s far-right AfD party nominates a candidate for chancellor in the upcoming election

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The far-right Alternative for Germany party on Saturday presented its candidate for chancellor in the country’s upcoming election. But Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which was founded in 2013, has been getting strong approval rates and is currently the second strongest party in the country after the center-right Christian Democrats. The party’s fierce anti-immigration stance and revelations about …

Germany’s far-right AfD picks chancellor candidate first time
1 month ago

Germany’s far-right AfD picks chancellor candidate first time

Al Jazeera  

Alice Weidel’s nomination comes before snap elections expected in February next year. The far-right Alternative for Germany has named party leader Alice Weidel as its first chancellor nominee, before snap elections expected in February next year. A west German leading a party that is strongest in Germany’s former communist east, she worked for Goldman Sachs and Allianz Global Investors and …

A much-maligned German chancellor punches back, in understated Merkel style
1 month, 2 weeks ago

A much-maligned German chancellor punches back, in understated Merkel style

LA Times  

Book Review Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021 By Angela Merkel St. Martin’s Press: 720 pages, $40 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores. Once upon a time Germany’s Angela Merkel was feted as “the chancellor of the free world.” Now a growing chorus of critics at home and …

Germany set for snap elections in February
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Germany set for snap elections in February

Al Jazeera  

Germany is set to hold snap elections on February 23, in an effort to establish a stable government following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition last week. The agreement between Scholz’s Social Democratic Party and the conservative opposition Christian Democratic Union and their Bavarian allies the Christian Social Union aims to restore political stability at a time when …

Germany heads for early elections as Chancellor Scholz’s coalition collapses
Top News
2 months ago

Germany heads for early elections as Chancellor Scholz’s coalition collapses

The Hindu  

Germany entered a major political crisis on Wednesday with the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition likely paving the way for early elections next year. Mr. Scholz said he would seek a vote of confidence by January 15 so that MPs "can decide whether to clear the way for early elections" which could be held by late March — …

German elections: The rise of populism in Germany has important lessons for Starmer
4 months ago

German elections: The rise of populism in Germany has important lessons for Starmer

The Independent  

Whether they like it or not, Germans and Brits are beginning to resemble each other. The Free Democrats, the smallest coalition party, garnered less than 1 per cent of the vote in Saxony last Sunday, ending up behind the Animal Protection Party. As for the opposition Christian Democrats, the CDU, it should be streets ahead, but in its acerbic post-Merkel …

German conservatives try to entice discontented voters and push down far-right
1 year, 6 months ago

German conservatives try to entice discontented voters and push down far-right

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

German conservatives try to entice discontented voters and push down far-right
1 year, 6 months ago

German conservatives try to entice discontented voters and push down far-right

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Leaders of Germany’s main opposition bloc called Friday for voters turned off by the government to back them in two major state elections this fall, arguing that they are the best bet for stability while voting for a burgeoning far-right party would bring no change. The center-right Union bloc — which currently leads both regions — hopes to …

Scholz says right-wing populists won’t gain upper hand in Germany, despite far-right party’s rise
1 year, 6 months ago

Scholz says right-wing populists won’t gain upper hand in Germany, despite far-right party’s rise

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz insisted Wednesday that right-wing populism won’t gain the upper hand in his country, days after a far-right party won control of a county administration for the first time since the Nazi era. Alternative for Germany, which has come under scrutiny from security services over its ties to extremists, won a runoff election in Sonneberg …

Merz takes over as center-right opposition leader in Germany
2 years, 11 months ago

Merz takes over as center-right opposition leader in Germany

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Friedrich Merz formally took over …

Germany: Merkel’s party chooses conservative Merz as leader
3 years ago

Germany: Merkel’s party chooses conservative Merz as leader

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Members of Germany’s biggest opposition party, the center-right Christian Democratic Union of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, have chosen prominent conservative Friedrich Merz as its new leader, the party said Friday. A fight for the nomination to run for chancellor between Laschet and Markus Soeder, the leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, also exposed …

Olaf Scholz takes reins from Angela Merkel for new German era
3 years, 1 month ago

Olaf Scholz takes reins from Angela Merkel for new German era

Live Mint  

Olaf Scholz became Germany's next chancellor on Wednesday after 16 years with Angela Merkel at the helm, as a new centre-left-led coalition took the wheel of Europe's top economy. Scholz, who won 395 of the 707 votes cast in the Bundestag lower house, has pledged broad "continuity" with the popular Merkel while making Germany greener and fairer. Scholz, 63, who …

End of an era: Germany’s Merkel bows out after 16 years
3 years, 1 month ago

End of an era: Germany’s Merkel bows out after 16 years

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Angela Merkel was assured of a place in the history books as soon as she became Germany’s first female chancellor on Nov. 22, 2005. “It’s undeniable that she’s given Germany a lot of soft power,” said Sudha David-Wilp, the deputy director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Berlin office. Others in Europe and beyond “want …

Social Democrat Olaf Scholz elected as German chancellor
3 years, 1 month ago

Social Democrat Olaf Scholz elected as German chancellor

Live Mint  

German lawmakers elected Social Democrat Olaf Scholz as new chancellor on Wednesday, ending 16 years of conservative rule under Angela Merkel and paving the way for a pro-European coalition government which has vowed to boost green investment. Scholz, 63, who served as vice chancellor and finance minister in Merkel's outgoing government, got a clear majority of 395 votes from lawmakers …

Olaf Scholz succeeds Angela Merkel as German chancellor, opening a new era
3 years, 1 month ago

Olaf Scholz succeeds Angela Merkel as German chancellor, opening a new era

LA Times  

New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, with predecessor Angela Merkel during the official transfer of office in Berlin on Dec. 8, 2021. Center-left leader Olaf Scholz became Germany’s ninth post-World War II chancellor Wednesday, opening a new era for the European Union’s most populous nation and largest economy after Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure. Scholz, 63, Germany’s vice chancellor and finance …

What you need to know about Germany's new chancellor and coalition government
3 years, 1 month ago

What you need to know about Germany's new chancellor and coalition government

NPR  

What you need to know about Germany's new chancellor and coalition government Enlarge this image toggle caption Carsten Koall/Getty Images Carsten Koall/Getty Images BERLIN — Olaf Scholz became Germany's chancellor on Wednesday, marking the end of Angela Merkel's 16 years as the country's leader. Scholz's center-left Social Democratic Party, which won the most votes in September's federal election, leads a …

End Of An Era: Germany's Angela Merkel Bows Out After 16 Years
3 years, 1 month ago

End Of An Era: Germany's Angela Merkel Bows Out After 16 Years

Huff Post  

Angela Merkel arrives for a television debate with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at a television studio in Berlin, Sept. 4, 2005. Others in Europe and beyond “want more of an active Germany to play a role in the world — that may not have been the case before she was in office, necessarily.” In a video message at Merkel’s final EU …

Angela Merkel leaves office after 16 years
3 years, 1 month ago

Angela Merkel leaves office after 16 years

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Others in Europe and beyond “want more of an active Germany to play a …

End of an era: Angela Merkel’s last full day as Germany’s leader after 16 years
3 years, 1 month ago

End of an era: Angela Merkel’s last full day as Germany’s leader after 16 years

LA Times  

German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks to her office in Berlin accompanied by her bodyguards in May 2020. “It’s undeniable that she’s given Germany a lot of soft power,” said Sudha David-Wilp, the deputy director of the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. “When she first came onto the scene in 2005, a lot of people …

German parties reach deal for government to end Merkel era
3 years, 1 month ago

German parties reach deal for government to end Merkel era

LA Times  

Olaf Scholz, SPD candidate for chancellor and federal minister of finance, arrives for the presentation of the coalition agreement, in Berlin on Wednesday. The three parties negotiating to form Germany’s next government will finalize and present their coalition agreement Wednesday, two of the prospective partners said. Three German parties have reached a deal to form a new government that will …

Race to lead Merkel’s party in German opposition takes shape
3 years, 1 month ago

Race to lead Merkel’s party in German opposition takes shape

Associated Press  

BERLIN — A former German environment minister and outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff both announced that they will run for the leadership of Merkel’s center-right party on Friday as the race to head it in opposition started to take shape. Merz, 66, has a substantial following among CDU members, while Roettgen’s previous run established him as a serious …

Germany Chancellor Merkel's Party to Choose New Leader by Late January
3 years, 2 months ago

Germany Chancellor Merkel's Party to Choose New Leader by Late January

News 18  

Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right party is turning to a ballot of its entire membership to choose a new leader after crashing to defeat and its worst-ever national election result in September. The two-party Union bloc, in which the CDU is by far the bigger party, finished behind the center-left Social Democrats with only 24.1% of the vote. The …

Dismissed: Germany’s Merkel becomes caretaker chancellor
3 years, 2 months ago

Dismissed: Germany’s Merkel becomes caretaker chancellor

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Angela Merkel took a step closer to political retirement Tuesday after receiving her formal dismissal certificate from the post of chancellor after 16 years in office, though she will lead a caretaker government until her successor is sworn in. Hours earlier, Merkel attended the opening session of Germany’s new parliament in Berlin, taking a seat in the VIP …

Germany returns a fractured mandate
3 years, 3 months ago

Germany returns a fractured mandate

The Hindu  

As pollsters have been predicting for some time, Germany returned a fractured mandate in the general election held on September 26. Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, which has been at the helm of affairs for most of the last two decades in Germany, has recorded its worst ever performance. The CDU has ruled post-war Germany for 52 years, either in …

Teflon leader: Party’s big loss won’t tarnish Merkel’s image
3 years, 3 months ago

Teflon leader: Party’s big loss won’t tarnish Merkel’s image

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Angela Merkel will leave office in the coming months with her popularity intact among voters and widely admired beyond Germany as a chancellor who deftly steered her country, and Europe, through numerous crises. The blame for that has been placed largely on her party’s uninspiring candidate, Armin Laschet, a state governor whose gaffes and chummy demeanor contrasted with …

SPD narrowly beats Merkel’s party in German polls
3 years, 3 months ago

SPD narrowly beats Merkel’s party in German polls

The Hindu  

German Social Democrat Olaf Scholz vowed on Monday to strengthen the European Union and keep up the transatlantic partnership in a three-way coalition government he hopes to form by Christmas to take over from Angela Merkel’s conservatives. Mr. Scholz’s Social Democrats came first in Sunday’s national election, just ahead of the conservatives, and aim to lead a government for the …

Germany Election: Angela Merkel's center-right bloc stumbles badly; horse-trading ahead
3 years, 3 months ago

Germany Election: Angela Merkel's center-right bloc stumbles badly; horse-trading ahead

India TV News  

Germany's centre-left Social Democrats and outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right bloc both laid claim Sunday to lead the country's next government, even as projections showed the long-time leader's party heading for its worst-ever result in a national election. Scholz said the predicted results were “a very clear mandate to ensure now that we put together a good, pragmatic government for …

Merkel’s party loses election in a squeaker. Naming her successor could take months
3 years, 3 months ago

Merkel’s party loses election in a squeaker. Naming her successor could take months

LA Times  

The party that narrowly beat departing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s bloc pushed Monday for a quick agreement on a coalition government amid concerns that Europe’s biggest economy could be in for weeks of uncertainty after an election that failed to set a clear direction. Olaf Scholz, the leader of the center-left Social Democrats, called for Merkel’s center-right Union bloc to …

Olaf Scholz: the man set to replace Angela Merkel as Germany’s next chancellor
3 years, 3 months ago

Olaf Scholz: the man set to replace Angela Merkel as Germany’s next chancellor

CNN  

CNN — Olaf Scholz has some big shoes to fill. The German Finance Minister will be sworn in as German chancellor next month, barring any 11th-hour setbacks – weeks after he led his Social Democratic Party to a narrow victory in September’s parliamentary elections. Hoerst’s colleague and the deputy director of GMF’s Berlin office, Sudha David-Wilp, said this centrism is …

Germany Elections voting today, Angela Merkel's 16-year-long rule likely to end
3 years, 3 months ago

Germany Elections voting today, Angela Merkel's 16-year-long rule likely to end

India TV News  

Germany’s closely fought election on Sunday will set the direction of the European Union’s most populous country after 16 years under Angela Merkel, whose party is scrambling to avoid defeat by its centre-left rivals after a rollercoaster campaign. The Social Democrats’ candidate, current finance minister and Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has seen his personal ratings climb amid error-strewn campaigns by his …

German election: Polls open in tight race to elect new chancellor
3 years, 3 months ago

German election: Polls open in tight race to elect new chancellor

Al Jazeera  

Tens of millions of Germans cast ballots in what is seen as the first real contest in many years and marks the end of Angela Merkel’s time in office. “Let’s vote together – for a strong democracy and a good future.” Opinion polls narrowed in the final week but the Social Democrats still hold a slight lead over Merkel’s Christian …

Exit Polls Show An Extremely Close Race In German Election To Succeed Angela Merkel
3 years, 3 months ago

Exit Polls Show An Extremely Close Race In German Election To Succeed Angela Merkel

NPR  

Exit Polls Show An Extremely Close Race In German Election To Succeed Angela Merkel Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Probst/AP Michael Probst/AP Early exit polls from Germany show an extremely close race between the center-left Social Democratic Party and the center-right Christian Democratic Union, in an election that will decide the next chancellor of the country after 16 years …

German election to set direction after 16 years under Merkel
3 years, 3 months ago

German election to set direction after 16 years under Merkel

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Germany's closely fought election on …

Germany set to vote in most unpredictable elections in years
3 years, 3 months ago

Germany set to vote in most unpredictable elections in years

Al Jazeera  

Germany’s vote on Sunday marks the end of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 16 years in office. A number of “overhang” seats are created if there is an imbalance between a party’s directly elected seats and its share of voters, a feature that has caused the Bundestag to balloon in size. Germany’s federal returning officer told local media that the number of …

Germans Will Choose A New Government As Angela Merkel Steps Down As Chancellor
3 years, 3 months ago

Germans Will Choose A New Government As Angela Merkel Steps Down As Chancellor

NPR  

Germans Will Choose A New Government As Angela Merkel Steps Down As Chancellor Enlarge this image toggle caption Martin Meissner/AP Martin Meissner/AP BERLIN — Millions of Germans will head to the polls in a federal election on Sunday that will determine who will succeed Angela Merkel after 16 years as Germany's chancellor. According to the latest polls, Germany's center-left Social …

Germany's Sunday Election Will Determine Who Will Replace Angela Merkel
3 years, 3 months ago

Germany's Sunday Election Will Determine Who Will Replace Angela Merkel

NPR  

Germany's Sunday Election Will Determine Who Will Replace Angela Merkel The election in Germany will make the end of an era — after 16 years as chancellor, Angela Merkel plans to step aside. The vote could AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: Germans head to the polls on Sunday in an election that will determine who will replace Angela Merkel as chancellor. He's …

Candidates clash in last TV debate before German election
3 years, 3 months ago

Candidates clash in last TV debate before German election

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The three candidates hoping to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor, and the four leaders of the other parties currently in parliament, clashed Thursday over a variety of topics in the last televised debate before Sunday’s election. Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democrats, who is currently Germany’s finance minister, said closer cooperation within Europe is needed but …

Germany election: What to know as voters decide what post-Merkel life looks like
3 years, 3 months ago

Germany election: What to know as voters decide what post-Merkel life looks like

CNN  

CNN — Germans will file into polling stations to vote in an unpredictable federal election on Sunday – but for the first time in nearly two decades, their longtime leader won’t be in contention. “Germany has done very well over the last 15 years from an economic perspective … Germany didn’t do that badly during the financial crisis, but the …

Ahead of German polls on 26 September find out how the country's election system works
3 years, 3 months ago

Ahead of German polls on 26 September find out how the country's election system works

Firstpost  

Alternative for Germany will not be part of the next government as all other parties have refused to work with it Berlin: German voters elect a new parliament on 26 September, a vote that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years in power. Because Germany’s traditional big parties have continued to dominate the direct vote even …

Two votes and coalition talks: How the German election works
3 years, 3 months ago

Two votes and coalition talks: How the German election works

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German voters elect a new parliament on Sept. 26, a vote that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years in power. Because Germany’s traditional big parties have continued to dominate the direct vote even as their overall support has shrunk, that can result in the Bundestag having many more lawmakers than the minimum 598; …

Two votes and coalition talks: How the German election works
3 years, 3 months ago

Two votes and coalition talks: How the German election works

The Hindu  

German voters elect a new parliament on September 26, a vote that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years in power. Every voter gets two votes — one for a directly elected candidate, the other for a party list. To share in the division of seats, a party must win 5% of the party list vote …

This Is The Candidate To Beat In The Race To Become Germany's Next Leader
3 years, 3 months ago

This Is The Candidate To Beat In The Race To Become Germany's Next Leader

NPR  

This Is The Candidate To Beat In The Race To Become Germany's Next Leader Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Kappeler/Pool/AP Michael Kappeler/Pool/AP HAMBURG, Germany — The hammering typically begins at 8 o'clock sharp and continues through the day, its pulsing sound echoing along the gleaming renovated buildings and canals of this city's harbor district. The following year, Scholz became …

Merkel's party ahead in local votes in northern German state
3 years, 3 months ago

Merkel's party ahead in local votes in northern German state

The Hindu  

Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right party has maintained its position as the strongest party following local elections in a northern German state, two weeks before a national election, in which it is struggling in polls, results showed on Monday. Sunday's elections for local councils in Lower Saxony state, in Germany's northwest, may offer the Christian Democratic Union some cheer even …

3 contrasting candidates seek chancellery in German election
3 years, 3 months ago

3 contrasting candidates seek chancellery in German election

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Germany is seeing its first …

German elections: As Merkel stands down, the SPD’s Scholz emerges as favourite for chancellor
3 years, 4 months ago

German elections: As Merkel stands down, the SPD’s Scholz emerges as favourite for chancellor

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Olaf Scholz, Germany’s dour finance minister and vice-chancellor in …

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