Podcasts about german politics

"It is up to us to make the Franco-German engine stronger than ever" – those were the words of French President Emmanuel Macron, when he congratulated Friedrich Merz on becoming Chancellor of Germany. 

He had the votes, he had a new coalition sealed in writing and ratified by party members, so it seemed like a formality. But Friedrich Merz's lifelong dream of finally becoming German chancellor had to be deferred by a few hours, with the 69-year-old Conservative falling at the first hurdle as backbenchers sent a signal. A hastily organised second round cancelled out what history may decide to be just a blip. But still, why did Merz fall six seats short in the first secret ballot? Who rebelled inside what now seems like a fragile coalition between Conservatives and Social Democrats?Germany's Trump and Putin-backed far-right co-leader was quick to call for snap elections. Alice Weidel was savouring her revenge after German domestic intelligence last week qualified her Nazi-rooted party as an extremist group, a status that could in theory lead to a ban for an AfD that polled second on 20 percent in February's elections. The moment of wavering in Berlin is also rattling the script in Brussels and Paris, both of which bank on the return of Germany as a strong and steady driver of reform; a nation that just scrapped its fiscal purity rules to level up after decades of chronic underfunding of infrastructure and defence.Now, with the new coalition in Berlin looking over its shoulder, with far-right challenges in upcoming Romanian and Polish elections, all of Europe is asking: will the centre hold?

Dom talks with Richard Newson, an ex-pat New Zealander living in Germany, about Blue Tongue, Foot and Mouth and the new coalition government. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Wall Street enjoys a historic rally after President Trump announces a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, not including China. Asian equities are also in the green with the Nikkei and Taiwan's Taiex leading gains. European futures are also up as are Chinese equities, despite Trump increasing levies on the country to 125 per cent. In Germany, the CDU/CSU and the SPD unveil a coalition deal with Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz addressing President Trump directly to give assurances on defence and economic competitiveness. And in autos news, Volkswagen shares plummet as the car maker misses forecasts by a wide margin amid tariff uncertainty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Trump's tariffs kick in for the so-called ‘worst offenders' with the minimum rate on certain Chinese goods hitting 104 per cent. Trump says the U.S. remains resolute. Asian equities are firmly in the red. European markets and Wall Street are both braced for more heavy sell-offs. U.S. Treasury yields also spike. The tariffs feud between Elon Musk and President Trump's top trade advisor Peter Navarro intensifies following disagreement over Tesla's auto assembly practices. Musk calls Navarro ‘dumber than a sack of bricks'. In Germany, the CDU/CSU and SPD are reportedly close to a coalition deal following 13 hours of negotiations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s Thursday morning and time to head over to our colleagues at Deutsche Welle in Germany. Joining me is Cai Nebe in Bonn. Welcome! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a MUST LISTEN episode! McKay joins me again and we do an in depth and deep dive into German politics and the current political situation. McKay and I have both lived in Germany serving Church Missions. We are both fluent in the language and keep up with German culture and politics.

Author of 'Beyond the Wall' Katja Hoyer joins UnHerd's Freddie Sayers to break down the results of Germany's era-defining general election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's no hitting the snooze button on this wake-up call. Germany's chancellor-in-waiting is savouring victory in Sunday's federal elections while taking stock of what he faces: with the Putin and Trump-backed far right finishing a strong second, Friedrich Merz is stating that his country and continent can no longer rely on the United States for their defence. Merz is stepping out of the shadow of the woman who in a previous life beat him to the CDU's leadership. Back in her day, Angela Merkel tried the soft touch on both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. We ask what's changed since.On the third anniversary of Putin's all-out invasion of Ukraine, the French president is in Washington for one last try at keeping the US on side, while leading the push for European strategic autonomy. Are we at a turning point for European defence?Produced by Rebecca Gnignati, Elisa Amiri, Ilayda Habip.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine hits its 3 year mark, Germany elects a new government to join its beleaguered neighbours in trying to get Europe – and President Zelenskyy - out of the mess caused by an aggressive President Putin on its East flank, and an antagonistic President Trump on its West. More money, for more troops, actually on the ground in Ukraine? It's a move most of Europe seems reluctant to make, but can the continent avoid catastrophe by going it alone? In this episode of the Fourcast, Matt Frei is joined by the former German ambassador to the US Wolfgang Ischinger, and the former Ukrainian deputy defence minister Alina Frolova Produced by Calum Fraser, Ka Yee Mak and Rob Thomson.  

Once the powerhouse of Europe, Germany's economy has seen no real growth in five years as its industrial export model has been battered by structural changes in the Chinese market and the end of cheap energy from Russia. Public investment that could change that model is constrained by the country's strict debt limit. We take a closer look in this edition.

Germany's conservatives are celebrating after the country's snap election. Friedrich Merz is most likely to become the country's next chancellor. His centre-right Christian Democratic Union has topped votes at just under 29%, with far-right Alternative for Germany, AFD, inching more than 20%. Merz must now form a coalition, but has ruled out working with AFD. Director of Berlin's Global Public Policy Institute, Thorsten Benner told Andrew Dickens the only option is for the CDU to govern with the outgoing Social Democrats. He says it's one of the better outcomes, as only a two-party coalition is necessary. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Hancorn is a digital reporter with ITV News, and he joined us to talk about his new documentary Young, German, and Voting far-right.As Germany prepares to head to the polls on Sunday, we discuss how the AfD have managed to mobilise German youth for right-wing politics, and what the phenomenon could mean for the rest of Europe.Watch the documentary here: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/young-... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three years after ending all official communications with Moscow, the US government is suddenly back in Russia's orbit. The two nuclear powers were sitting down in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday finding a path to ending the Ukraine war and more besides. The talks were no longer about how to deal with the aggressor in the conflict, but how to normalise relations and make Russia a potential partner for future energy deals. So what of Ukraine? 

As Germans head to the polls on Sunday to vote in pivotal legislative elections, immigration will be a key issue on their minds. It's nearly 10 years since Angela Merkel's famous phrase "Wir schaffen das" (We can manage this), when images of German citizens welcoming asylum seekers made headlines the world over. Since then, the tide has turned and the far-right AfD party has become Germany's second political force. Our correspondents report.

Sunday's crunch elections in Germany are coming at perhaps the most pivotal moment since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Back then, it was about making a success of reunification. Now comes a reckoning over the German model that ensued. Under threat is the kind of global free trade that powers Germany's export-driven economy. Instead we're seeing Donald Trump's tariffs, a Russian aggression that's inching closer in not-so-far-off Ukraine and an ageing population that needs to replenish its workforce, but doesn't want more migrants. Seizing on the mood of a nation in recession is the far-right AfD, which polls suggest could finish second behind the Christian Democrats. With the US vice president last Friday passing up a chance to meet the incumbent centre-left chancellor Olaf Scholz, instead seeing AfD leader Alice Weidel on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, voters are wondering if the usual warnings of foreign election meddling concern this time the United States more than usual suspect Russia.The pressure is on in a nation where lead candidates know they that can't bash their rivals too hard. After all, they know that come Monday morning when the ballots are counted, they might have to call them for coalition-building. Could this election be different? If so, how?Produced by Rebecca Gnignati, Elisa Amiri, Ilayda Habip.Watch moreA model in crisis: Germans head to polls amid economic downturn

Hey, friends! If you have been around here for a while, you know that we love our Kansas City Chiefs. So, when I (Robin) had the opportunity to attend the Super Bowl this year, I was beyond excited. But what I didn't expect was to walk away with more than just memories, I left with some powerful life lessons that go far beyond football.Yes, the game was a disaster (trust me, I felt every painful moment of it). But as I sat there in the stadium, surrounded by thousands of fans, I realized that the highs and lows of that night reflected so much of what we all experience in life.In today's episode, I'm sharing five lessons I learned from the Super Bowl that apply to all of us, whether you are a die-hard football fan or someone who doesn't know a first down from a field goal. From handling disappointment to showing up when it matters most, these insights will encourage and challenge you in ways you might not expect.So, grab a cup of coffee (or maybe some tissues, if you're a Chiefs fan like me), and let's talk about what this game taught me about life, resilience, and what truly matters.

As Germany enters the final week of its election campaign, the economy is a top concern for voters. Having long been Europe's manufacturing powerhouse, the country has shown no meaningful growth since the pandemic and capped 2024 with a second consecutive annual GDP contraction. We take a closer look at what's been holding the German economy back. Plus, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, a Chinese tech icon who became a target of Beijing's crackdown, is seen shaking hands with President Xi Jinping. 

Of all the elections happening in the EU this year, the vote in Germany is probably the one that is being watched most closely across the bloc. Europe's largest economy is in trouble; the old model of cheap gas and easily accessible export markets is no longer working. Meanwhile, its political fragmentation makes it increasingly hard for Germany to re-define its role in Europe, whether that's on defence spending, climate and energy policies or competitiveness. In this debate we explore what is stake for Europe, and how the outcome of the February 23 election could impact the conversation on defence, immigration and other key issues.

According to the Financial Times, 225 out of Musk's 616 tweets and retweets in the first week of January were about UK politics. Meanwhile, Musk has praised the prime minister of Italy, far-right politician Giorgia Meloni, describing her as “even more beautiful on the inside than on the outside.” At a time when his company SpaceX is reportedly in talks for a billion dollar contract with the Italian government. And then there's his entrance into the German political scene; showing up to AFD rallies and more. Micah spoke to Bojan Pancevski, chief European political correspondent at The Wall Street Journal, about Elon Musk's political profile in Germany, and its consequences.  On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

The countdown is on to what is perhaps Europe's most important election of this year. On February 23, Germans go to the polls in a parliamentary vote, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition in November. The conservative CDU-CSU is the favourite, but no party looks likely to win a majority, and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling strongly. We sit down with an important player in the CSU: Manfred Weber, who is the president of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament. We talk about the far right in Germany and Europe, Elon Musk's support for the AfD, the EU's relations with US President Donald Trump, and why the EPP is putting more focus on competitiveness and the European car industry.

With the German elections slated for February 23, Member of the Bundestag Omid Nouripour, a former national co-chairman of the Green Party, joins The Zeitgeist to discuss the issues shaping the campaign. …

Elon Musk has continued to weigh into German politics ahead of next month's election. The billionaire has made a video appearance at a rally for far-right party Alternative for Germany. Musk has previously written an op-ed supporting the party, and hosted its leader Alice Weidel in an interview on X. Europe Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that it looks as if Musk is having an effect, primarily due to his actions being rebroadcast on his X, which has a far greater reach than German mainstream media. She says that there has been an acceptance among the mainstream parties that far right votes wouldn't be accepted to pass legislation, but the leader of the centre-right CDU said he was prepared to accept far-right support in his crackdown on migrants. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He has called the German chancellor an "incompetent idiot" and the country's president an "anti-democratic tyrant". Perhaps such invective would not matter if Elon Musk did not have the influence that he does. But Europe is a key market for the tech billionaire, and it includes electric cars, space technologies and satellites – currently the topic of discussions between Musk's SpaceX and the Italian government – as well as social media platform X, where Musk has streamed a conversation with the leader of Germany's far-right AfD. That party is polling in second place ahead of crucial German parliamentary elections in late February. And of course, Musk has the ear of incoming US President Donald Trump.

The Dow hits its longest losing streak since 2018 while the Nasdaq soars, with Tesla, Google, Amazon and Apple hitting record highs. Meanwhile, Nvidia stumbles through, falling under correction territory, as rival Broadcom powers ahead after bullish calls from Wall Street. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz loses a confidence vote in the nation's Bundestag, setting the stage for a February election. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son pledges a $100 billion investment into the U.S., a massive win for President-elect Trump ahead of his return to the White House.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

①German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a confidence vote in parliament. What happens next? (00:42) ②The European Central Bank has cut its key interest rates by 25 basis points.(13:05) ③China has announced a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy. What are the details? (25:03) ④TikTok launches an effort in the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent a ban from going into effect.(34:10) ⑤Chrystia Freeland has resigned as Canada's finance minister.(44:30)

Disappointing economic data sends Chinese equities lower and bond yields to record lows, renewing pressure on Beijing to boost domestic demand as stimulus impact fades. In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol is impeached after his short-lived martial law attempt last week. Meanwhile, Moody's cuts its France credit rating, just as new prime minister François Bayrou pledges to seek compromise in a divided parliament. Over in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz awaits today's no confidence vote, as the country prepares for possible elections in late February.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This conversation delves into the recent collapse of the German government under Chancellor Schultz, the upcoming federal elections, and the potential implications for both German and European politics. Thomas Falk provides insights into the ideological divides within the coalition, the rise of the AFD, and the challenges facing the next government, including compliance issues and the impact of sanctions on Russia. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of potential coalitions and the future of green policies in Germany.   Takeaways The collapse of Schultz's government was not entirely unexpected due to ongoing dysfunction. The upcoming elections in February will be crucial for reshaping Germany's political landscape. Friedrich Merz from the CDU is the main competitor for the chancellorship. The AFD is gaining significant support, particularly in eastern Germany. Coalition dynamics will be complex, with limited options for Merz. Compliance issues, especially regarding money laundering and sanctions, will be critical for businesses. The influence of the Greens may diminish in the next government. Germany's political stability is vital for the EU's overall health. The next government may prioritize economic pragmatism over ambitious climate targets. A reset in relations with Russia could be a possibility under a new government.

Hey, please share this podcast with your friends, family and neighbours or even write a review :). You can contact me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/slowgermanwithculture/) or write a mail to learngermanwithculture@web.de . Transkript:   Hallo und herzlich Willkommen zur heutigen Episode. Na, wie geht es dir? Ich hoffe, dir geht es gut. In der letzten Woche war das Wetter in Deutschland sehr kalt und in Süddeutschland gab es sogar ganz viel Schnee. Ich hoffe dir ist jetzt nicht kalt und du hast Lust ein bisschen Deutsch zu lernen. Hast du es schon gehört? Hast du es mitbekommen? Vor kurzem ist die deutsche Regierung gescheitert. Die drei Parteien in der Regierung unter Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz konnten sich nicht einig werden, wie sie weiter Politik machen wollen. Und deshalb gibt es jetzt am 23. Februar Neuwahlen. Und bei den Neuwahlen wird eine neue Regierung für Deutschland gewählt. In den aktuellen Umfragen ist die CDU die stärkste Partei. Die CDU ist die Christlich Demokratische Union. Manchmal nennt man sie auch einfach Union. Die CDU oder auch Union ist die große konservative Partei in Deutschland. Sie ist eine moderate Partei und dadurch ist sie sehr wichtig für die deutsche Demokratie. Und der Kanzlerkandidat der Union heißt Friedrich Merz. Vielleicht wird Friedrich Merz also der neue Bundeskanzler in Deutschland. Das ist aber natürlich nicht sicher, denn bis zur Wahl kann noch viel passieren. Aber wer ist Friedrich Merz? Friedrich Merz ist ein deutscher Politiker. Er ist 69 Jahre alt. Er ist der Chef der CDU, und er gehört zum konservativen Flügel. Die CDU ist eine sehr große Partei und in der CDU gibt es liberalere Politiker und konservativere Politiker. Aber wofür steht Friedrich Merz politisch? Friedrich Merz möchte zum Beispiel, dass Unternehmen und die Wirtschaft in Deutschland unterstützt werden, zum Beispiel durch Steuererleichterungen. Außerdem möchte Friedrich Merz, dass Deutschland weniger Geld für Sozialleistungen ausgibt. Zum Beispiel möchte er das sogenannte Bürgergeld abschaffen. Friedrich Merz ist ein großer Fan von Europa und sagt: Deutschland soll sich noch mehr in Europa engagieren. Friedrich Merz ist außerdem ein Fan der Demokratie und er grenzt sich klar zu extremen Parteien ab. Als Beruf hat Friedrich Merz Jura studiert. Außerdem hat er neben der Politik viele Nebentätigkeiten bei großen Unternehmen wie Blackrock, BASF oder der Commerzbank gemacht. Und dort hat er viel Geld verdient. Er ist Millionär. Aber Beruf und Politik ist nicht alles für Friedrich Merz. In seiner Freizeit ist Friedrich Merz ein Hobby-Pilot. Er fliegt also gerne mit einem Flugzeug. Er ist auch verheiratet und er hat zwei Kinder. Und das war die heutige Episode. Bitte erzähle deinen Freunden und deiner Familie von dem Podcast. Du kannst mich auch auf Instagram kontaktieren unter slowgermanwithculture oder per Mail. Ich hoffe du hast noch einen sehr schönen Tag, bleib vor allem gesund. Ciao ciao, Tschüss!  

President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to head the DoJ after his original pick Matt Gaetz decided to withdraw amid allegations of sexual misconduct. In Germany, defence minister Boris Pistorius has declined to stand against unpopular Chancellor Olaf Scholz to head the SPD going into February's snap election. Lithium ion battery firm Northvolt files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S., hampering Europe's EV ambitions. And in crypto news, Bitcoin inches towards six figures in valuation as investors continue to back the Trump trade.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of industry in the former East Germany, many women have left the region and never returned. Men are now over-represented, with a surplus of up to 25 percent in some municipalities. This shortage of women has created a vicious cycle: a rapidly ageing population, a loss of social cohesion and a decline in the attractiveness of eastern cities. The gender imbalance is also fuelling political radicalisation, which Germany's far-right AfD party is taking advantage of. FRANCE 24's Anne Mailliet, Willy Mahler, Nick Holdsworth and Caroline du Bled report.

The S&P 500 and the Dow are clinching their best week of the year in the wake of former President Trump's secured return to the White House, and the prospect of looser regulation and tax cuts. Cryptocurrency Bitcoin follows suit, soaring above $80,000 as the Trump trade takes hold. This as the President-elect is confirmed to have won Arizona, completing a clean sweep of all the battleground states, with Republicans now closing in on control of the House. Meanwhile, Chinese consumer inflation hits its lowest level in four months as factory gate deflation deepens, despite China's new set of stepped-up stimulus measures. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he's open to moving up a parliamentary confidence vote, potentially paving the way for snap elections sooner rather than later, following the collapse of the nation's three-way coalition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The S&P and Nasdaq attain fresh record highs after the Fed cuts rates for a second consecutive time. However, Fed chair Jerome Powell's press conference was dominated by questions about his position at the central bank following the re-election of President Donald Trump. Trump rewards his campaign manager Susie Wiles with the position of chief-of-staff, the first key appointment to his White House team. Outgoing President Joe Biden promises to ensure a smooth transition of power. In the UK, the Bank of England cuts rates by 25bps while hiking the inflation forecast following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' new budget. Governor Andrew Bailey says developments Stateside are being closely monitored. Following the collapse of the German coalition government, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to hold snap elections. Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Siemens Energy Joe Kaeser tells CNBC that the German economy is crying out for political stability.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wall Street closes at record highs following Donald Trump's historic win to become the 47th U.S. President. The Dow rallies by 1,500 points thanks to bank stocks after Democratic nominee Kamala Harris concedes the election. In Germany the fragile governing ‘traffic light' coalition collapses as Chancellor Olaf Scholz fires Finance Minister Christian Lindner over major economic policy disagreements. The move paves the way for a January confidence vote and a likely snap election in March. The race for the U.S. House of Representatives' majority remains finely poised. The GOP are just nine seats short of a clean sweep of Congressional power. And investors await rate decisions from the Fed, BoE, Riksbank and Norges Bank all due later today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

APAC stocks held a mostly positive bias as the dust settled from the US election, participants also digested Chinese trade data.European equity futures are indicative of a firmer cash open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future +0.3% after the cash market closed lower by 1.4% on Wednesday.DXY has pulled back onto a 104 handle with antipodeans leading the fight back vs. the USD, USD/JPY sits on a 154 handle.German Chancellor Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Lindner and will call for a confidence vote on January 15th which could allow elections by the end of March.Looking ahead, highlights include German Industrial Output, EZ Retail Sales, US Initial Jobless Claims, Wholesale Inventory, Riksbank, Norges Bank, BoE & Fed Policy Announcements, ECB's Lane, Schnabel, Elderson, BoE Governor Bailey & Fed Chair Powell, Supply from Spain & France.Earnings from Hochtief, Munich Re, Heidelberg Materials, Rheinmetall, Delivery Hero, Daimler Truck, Lanxess, Euronext, Engie, SES, Veolia Environment, Legrand, Zealand Pharma, GN Store Nord, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Azimut Holding, Leonardo, Nexi, Cellnex, Grifols, Telefonica, BT Group, Hiscox, Taylor Wimpey, National Grid, J Sainsbury, ITV, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, ArcelorMittal, PG&E Corp, Duke Energy Corp, Becton Dickinson and Co, Air Products and Chemicals Inc, Airbnb Inc, Ralph Lauren Corp, Moderna Inc & Warner Bros Discovery Inc.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

On Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed his finance minister and coalition partner, Christian Lindner, over disagreements on economic policy. The country will now be facing a snap election next year in a bid for more political stability. In this edition, we look at the issue at the heart of this split: Germany's "debt brake", which limits the country's ability to borrow money and might have to be suspended in order to revive a struggling economy.

The dollar dips with futures relatively flat as a surprise poll puts Kamala Harris ahead in the Republican-leading state of Iowa. National polling still places both candidates neck-and-neck. Berkshire Hathaway continues to dial down its stakes in Apple and BofA, boosting its cash pile to $325bn. The German ruling coalition is in disarray after finance minister Christian Lindner's economic manifesto causes major rifts with coalition partners, prompting Chancellor Olaf Scholz to summon talks late last night. Oil surges on the news that Opec+ nations agree to delay output hikes by a month. We hear from TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné who says industry margins are under pressure. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our correspondent interviews Sahra Wagenknecht, the popular leftist whose eponymous political party is now making the political weather in Germany. How Russia is trying to sabotage Moldova's attempt to move towards Europe (10:40). And why Tiktok is changing how we speak (17:38). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our correspondent interviews Sahra Wagenknecht, the popular leftist whose eponymous political party is now making the political weather in Germany. How Russia is trying to sabotage Moldova's attempt to move towards Europe (10:40). And why Tiktok is changing how we speak (17:38). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The recent elections in eastern Germany, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a parliamentary election at the state level in postwar Germany, raised significant concern internationally about what's happening in Germany. Should we be concerned?  In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey talks with Marcus Böick, assistant professor of history at the University of Cambridge, on the difficulties that have attended the process of unification in Germany since 1989 and their consequences for German politics. Böick addresses the reasons behind the AfD's success and how those in eastern Germany have experienced the process, their dissatisfaction with traditional parties and their migration policies, and their sense of being ignored by the country's political elites. Böick delves into AfD's radicalization and the charisma of Björn Höcke as a factor in AfD's victory, and the prospects for the election in Brandenburg this weekend, which could further complicate Germany's political landscape at both the state and national levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The recent elections in eastern Germany, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a parliamentary election at the state level in postwar Germany, raised significant concern internationally about what's happening in Germany. Should we be concerned?  In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey talks with Marcus Böick, assistant professor of history at the University of Cambridge, on the difficulties that have attended the process of unification in Germany since 1989 and their consequences for German politics. Böick addresses the reasons behind the AfD's success and how those in eastern Germany have experienced the process, their dissatisfaction with traditional parties and their migration policies, and their sense of being ignored by the country's political elites. Böick delves into AfD's radicalization and the charisma of Björn Höcke as a factor in AfD's victory, and the prospects for the election in Brandenburg this weekend, which could further complicate Germany's political landscape at both the state and national levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

The recent elections in eastern Germany, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a parliamentary election at the state level in postwar Germany, raised significant concern internationally about what's happening in Germany. Should we be concerned?  In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey talks with Marcus Böick, assistant professor of history at the University of Cambridge, on the difficulties that have attended the process of unification in Germany since 1989 and their consequences for German politics. Böick addresses the reasons behind the AfD's success and how those in eastern Germany have experienced the process, their dissatisfaction with traditional parties and their migration policies, and their sense of being ignored by the country's political elites. Böick delves into AfD's radicalization and the charisma of Björn Höcke as a factor in AfD's victory, and the prospects for the election in Brandenburg this weekend, which could further complicate Germany's political landscape at both the state and national levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/german-studies

The recent elections in eastern Germany, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a parliamentary election at the state level in postwar Germany, raised significant concern internationally about what's happening in Germany. Should we be concerned?  In this episode of International Horizons, RBI Director John Torpey talks with Marcus Böick, assistant professor of history at the University of Cambridge, on the difficulties that have attended the process of unification in Germany since 1989 and their consequences for German politics. Böick addresses the reasons behind the AfD's success and how those in eastern Germany have experienced the process, their dissatisfaction with traditional parties and their migration policies, and their sense of being ignored by the country's political elites. Böick delves into AfD's radicalization and the charisma of Björn Höcke as a factor in AfD's victory, and the prospects for the election in Brandenburg this weekend, which could further complicate Germany's political landscape at both the state and national levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies

At the beginning of September, the far-right party Alternative for Germany or AfD, won an election in the eastern state of Thuringia. The result marked the far right's first win, in a state parliament election, since World War Two. In the more populous neighbouring state of Saxony the party came in a close second. Whilst in both states the party has been officially classed as ‘right-wing extremist', the results nonetheless, signify a sharp rebuke from the voting public towards Germany's established political forces, including the ruling coalition. The Afd was founded in 2013 as an anti-euro party to challenge the government. It entered the German parliament for the first time in 2017 and now it's focus has shifted to immigration and Islam. As the country faces federal elections next year, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged mainstream parties to block the AfD from governing in Thuringia by maintaining a so-called firewall against it. But in terms of the voting public, the polls currently suggest the party could also take the most votes in Brandenburg state's election coming up. So, on this week's Inquiry we're asking, Can Germany's far right win the country?Contributors: Thomas König, Professor Dr. of Political Science, European Politics, University of Mannheim, Germany Dr. Michelle Lynn Kahn, Associate Professor, Modern European History, University of Richmond, VA, USA Christina Zuber, Professor Dr. of German Politics, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz, Germany Jörn Fleck, Senior Director of the Europe Centre, The Atlantic Council, Washington DC, USA Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Matt Toulson Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Broadcast Co-ordinator: Jacqui JohnsonImage Credit: CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Thuringia may represent just two percent of Germany's population, but the eastern region is hardly an outlier. The far-right finishing first in Sunday's regional elections while also surging in nearby Saxony. True, the AfD, whose lead candidate Bjorn Hocke was twice fined this year for using Nazi-era slogans at rallies, will not be in government. It is precisely with the Nazis in mind that Germany hard baked moderation and compromise into its federal system. Still, how will these results impact policy both in Berlin and in Brussels?There is another layer of Germany's past evoked with these elections: the sudden inroads by anti-immigrant left wing populist Sarah Wagenknecht, formerly of the Communist-rooted Die Linke party, plays to a “make East Germany great again” sentiment among voters frustrated by western-looking policy makers. Both her BSW and the AfD denounce military support for Ukraine and enjoy warm relations with Russia, where all the Cold War era nostalgia can only be music to Vladimir Putin's ears.  Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown.

The historic showing for Germany's far-right anti-immigrant AfD party in Sunday's state elections threatens to complicate the country's search for the foreign talent it needs to maintain its labour force. We take a closer look. Also in this edition: Brazil's Supreme Court votes on whether or not to uphold a nationwide ban on social media platform X.

The eastern German regions of Saxony and Thuringia are holding elections this coming Sunday and the far-right AfD party is ahead in the polls. Its leaders are proposing a raft of measures designed to limit immigration and the arrival of more asylum seekers in their regions. If they win power, they are vowing to implement "zero immigration" and a deleterious atmosphere for those who are already in Germany and well integrated. Some 37,000 Syrians are currently in Saxony, with almost 55,000 in Thuringia. As anti-immigrant sentiment grows in Germany, with towns complaining that capacity is already overstretched, some refugees are wondering if they are still welcome. FRANCE 24's Anne Mailliet and John Laurenson report.

Elections will be held in Saxony and Thuringia on September 1. Benjam Kanthak and Wolfgang Müller discuss what is happening in the two federal states in the former GDR - Am 1. September wird in in Sachsen und Thüringen gewählt. Was in den beiden Bundesländern in der ehemaligen DDR passiert, diskutieren Benjam Kanthak und Wolfgang Mueller

FREE PATREON TEASER: On episode 185, Eric and Josh are swapping articles as they Super Heavy Elements and What's Going On With Politics in Germany? Plus, kid cuisine and E.T. WE HAVE A PATREON! Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/RidingTheTorus to hear the second half of this episode. You can find Eric's research notes for every episode here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1syBwRsJ3b3YnOlUCXXFEEUpgF0NODLL2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also! If you enjoy the Riding The Torus theme song, you can now download it for FREE from the Bueno Tornado bandcamp page. Here is the link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://buenotornado.bandcamp.com/track/riding-the-torus-theme⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosts: eric beal - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ericbealart/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Josh Campbell - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/josh_campbell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

NOTE: Exceptionally, the English-language transcript of the interview with Sahra Wagenknecht, originally conducted in German, was released without a paywall for all: https://greenwald.locals.com/post/5536856/sahra-wagenknecht-on-the-failing-war-in-ukraine-the-state-of-german-politics-and-her-new-political Locals subscribers have access to a transcript of every System Update episode. - - - TIMESTAMPS: Intro (0:00)  Interview with Sahra WagenKnecht (4:14) - - - Watch full episodes on Rumble, streamed LIVE 7pm ET: https://rumble.com/c/GGreenwald Become part of our Locals community: https://greenwald.locals.com/ - - -  Follow Glenn: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ggreenwald Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenn.11.greenwald/ Follow System Update:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SystemUpdate_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/systemupdate__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@systemupdate__ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/systemupdate.tv/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemupdate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices