DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

How do women leaders in Europe view current security challenges? Will the US be a reliable ally? Are democracies around the world under threat? DW’s Berlin Briefing and One Decision Podcast teamed up to host a powerful, all-female panel at the MSC: Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, former Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Gylfadottir, and former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Kajsa Ollongren.

Giulio Saudele, an expert on the German Green Party, and Ben Knight, a political analyst, dive into the fascinating evolution of this influential party. They discuss the Greens' controversial shift from 1980s peace activists to 2020s military supporters and explore the party’s internal conflicts over climate policies. The duo examines their foreign policy pivots, particularly with NATO, and the challenges of balancing human rights with economic growth. Can Robert Habeck steer the Greens back into power amidst these complexities?

Germany’s likely next Chancellor Friedrich Merz just shook up the election campaign. He took a major political risk by relying on the far-right AfD for a majority in parliament for the first time. Tens of thousands took to the streets protesting the move. Did Merz just cancel his smooth ride to the chancellory? Or could he break the political paralysis around the AfD’s lifeblood issue: Migration.

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.