Germany
Explore our coverage of Germany’s politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video
Leaders
A fantastic start for Friedrich Merz
The incoming chancellor signals massive increases in defence and infrastructure spending
Business
The smiling new face of German big business
From Allianz to Zalando, pedlars of services are outdoing industrial firms at home—and foreign rivals abroad
China
The AfD’s unusual China connection
Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s AfD, spent six years in the People’s Republic
Leaders
Germany’s election victor must ditch its debt rules—immediately
Friedrich Merz has weeks to shore up his country’s defences
Europe
Merz wins a messy election then calls for independence from America
First he must build a coalition in Germany
Europe
Amid turmoil, a fearful Germany goes to the polls
Friedrich Merz looks certain to win. But will he be able to govern?
Europe
Germany’s mind-bending electoral maths
The more parties qualify for parliament, the harder for Friedrich Merz to form a coalition
Finance & economics
To spend big, Germany’s next government may need EU help
How self-imposed constraints could lead to a bizarre outcome
Europe
Alice Weidel, Germany’s most vilified—and powerful—female politician
The hard-right AfD co-leader’s popularity (and that of her party) increased as she became more radical
Graphic detail
How will the German election be decided?
Five charts show the trends that will drive voting this year
Business
Could a German startup disrupt Europe’s arms industry?
Meet Helsing, Europe’s defence-tech unicorn