Germany

The six-foot-six Friedrich Merz tends to look down on people - but his tenacity could be just what a troubled country needs

Irmin Schmidt on the hypnotic chemistry of Can, Europe's most influential band

The vice president’s arrogant and counterproductive rant in Munich was a lesson in hypocrisy

Eighty years ago, the Allies rained down hell on the city, one of Germany’s cultural capitals

A recent psychological study revealed how the country picks its politicians. The results were nothing short of depressing

When the country goes to the polls, the divide will only become more entrenched

The tech bro’s ally Alice Weidel spouts fake facts and demonises Muslims – and she is getting closer to becoming German chancellor

The annual grillfest in the city’s market square – held in the depths of winter – is an extraordinary, baffling event

The leader of one of Germany’s main political parties relied on the extreme right wing AfD party to get his immigration bill through parliament. Big mistake

On Holocaust Memorial Day, with anti-Jewish crimes at an all-time high, the country needs to remember more than ever

Could the sleeping giant of Germany’s silent majority mobilise against the AfD?

This year’s non-word of the year, ‘Bio-deutsch’ (biological German) has caused much controversy

The outlook for Europe appears dangerous. Expanding the single market would change things. But can it be done?

The number of immigrant voters could reach a peak at this election but this doesn't mean that the Social Democrats, Greens and the liberal FDP will benefit

Alice Weidel spouts fake facts and demonises Muslims - and she is getting closer to becoming Germany’s chancellor

How a grumpy star, a broken piano and an improvised set added up to a timeless jazz classic recorded 50 years ago – the legendary Köln Concert

The scandal, which involves toxic masculinity, sexism and cancel culture, asks if this century allows for second chances

The entrepreneur’s foray into European politics and obsession with the AfD is troubling, given his megaphone X

The suspects in two acts of violence are united by limitless narcissism posing as just rebellion

A torrent of fake news has sprung up around the tragedy – but when the truth finally emerges, Germany’s far right voters probably won’t even hear it

Once a forgotten figure, athlete turned activist Werner Seelenbinder is finally getting the credit he is due

Nigel Farage rushed to judgement again - and got it wrong again

Like its most famous car maker, German industry has been left behind. And with Trump in the White House, things could get a lot worse

2024 marked a milestone for Germany’s biggest demographic cohort

German elections are set for February after the chancellor forced a confidence vote to end political paralysis

First published in 1924, his masterpiece Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain) is a highbrow ode to chilling

The German racing driver’s memorial site is in a fitting location, close to a fast-paced autobahn

Britain’s decision to leave the EU “was an incredible event”, says the former German chancellor. David Cameron “delivered himself into the hands” of the eurosceptics, she tells The Rest is Politics

As the second coming of Donald Trump threatens a sell-out of Kyiv, Europe finds itself pondering events of 75 years ago

Academic institutions, such as Leipzig University, must learn how to stand firm and not let intimidation become routine

The first man-made object in space was built by Germany – and the country’s space programme is now the biggest in Europe

The German artist returns with a playful book that shakes things up by bringing the surreal into the everyday