Olaf Scholz’s government collapsed after months of infighting and deadlock. He’s attempting a comeback in the upcoming elections. What was the interplay between Russia's war on Ukraine, Germany’s economic malaise, and political dysfunction? Do the battles over migration provide Scholz with an opportunity? DW’s Richard Walker, Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner break it all down.

Friedrich Merz is the frontrunner to become Germany’s next leader after February’s elections. In this episode, DW’s Richard Walker and Michaela Küfner break it all down with writer John Kampfner. Who is Merz? Why did he have a feud with Merkel? How would he deal with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, the Ukraine war and the challenge of China? And can he deliver the reboot that he says Germany needs?

In this episode, DW’s Michaela Küfner, Nina Haase, Giulia Saudelli and Matthew Moore dive into the German election campaign, breaking down the key issues shaping the upcoming federal election. They explore the differences between the main parties on immigration, Russia's war on Ukraine, and climate change. And they wrapped up with their predictions for the election's outcome.

From Hitler, education and energy, to Mars colonization - X owner Elon Musk's chat with the far-right AfD party's Alice Weidel left many people puzzled. We break it down with Kate Conger, co-author of 'CharacterLimit: How Elon Musk destroyed Twitter'.

Matthew Moore, a DW journalist covering German politics, interviews Sahra Wagenknecht, the charismatic leader of the Bündnis Saarer Wagenknecht party, which is blending left- and right-wing ideologies. Katja Hoyer, a historian, provides context on this new political force shaking up Germany. They discuss the party's stance against NATO, its push for a stronger welfare state, and its appeal among younger voters. The conversation navigates the implications of this emerging movement on Germany's future political landscape, especially in light of regional dynamics.

Matthew Moore, a DW journalist focused on the AfD, and Stefanie Witte from Tagesspiegel offer insightful analysis on the rising far-right party in Germany. They discuss the AfD's unprecedented polling numbers and examine voter disillusionment with traditional parties. The conversation delves into the party’s controversial rhetoric, leadership evolution under Alice Weidel, and shifting voter demographics that signal a potential reshaping of German politics. The duo uncovers the complexities of identity and public perception surrounding the AfD's controversial stances.

Michaela Küfner, a DW correspondent with deep insights into German politics, teams up with migration expert Raphael Bossong from the SWP think tank. They discuss the shift in Germany's migration debate following the fall of Assad's regime, highlighting integration challenges for Syrian and Ukrainian migrants. The conversation touches on the vital role of Syrian doctors in alleviating Germany's healthcare crisis, and examines the evolving migration policies under a more conservative political climate, raising crucial questions about citizenship and asylum rights.

“We are basically playing by the rules, whereas Moscow is not,” Foreign Affairs Correspondent for Die Zeit magazine Michael Thumann tells Berlin Briefing Host Michaela Küfner in this latest edition on Georgia’s looming constitutional crisis. Will Europe come to the rescue of thousands of pro-EU protesters?

China is already calling some major shots on European trade and security. Where that leaves Germany as Europe’s largest economy is at the core of this week’s Berlin Briefing podcast. We map out how Germany’s chancellor and foreign minister still have profoundly different views of the relationship Germany should have with China.

In this episode of DW’s Berlin Briefing, host Michaela Küfner challenges her guests to unpack Putin’s hybrid war and assess how Germany should respond. Former NATO analyst Michael Rühle and Carnegie Europe senior fellow Judy Dempsey clash over their different takes on whether Merkel was right on Ukraine and Russia.