- FRANCE 24

10/05/2012 - ECONOMY

Exporting the German model?

The debate about growth in Europe is in full swing - with more and more talk of growth, rather than austerity. In Germany, many say growth can only be found through structural reform - such as labour market reforms passed by Gerhard Schröder's government a decade ago. These so-called Hartz reforms are widely credited with gradually reducing unemployment - but many say they have caused problems as well, with low paid part-time jobs becoming the norm.

24/10/2011 - GERMANY

Back to the future: Berlin reconsiders fossil fuels

Germany is debating how to generate its electricity in the coming decades. After the Fukushima disaster, German voters made it clear they wanted to close the country's nuclear reactors. However, this means coming up with a substitute for nuclear power fast, since Germany currently relies on nuclear power for nearly a quarter of its electricity needs. Now, it seems, they may just have found the answer.

15/07/2011 - GERMANY

Sex education: how soon is too soon?

A primary school in Berlin has come under fire after announcing that it will teach sexual diversity from September. A new kit is available to help teach children as young as 8 about homosexuality, but parents are up in arms. They believe their children are too young to be talking about the birds and the bees - never mind the 'birds and the birds'.

01/03/2011 - GERMANY

National Service to disappear - but so will its army of young volunteers

National Service will soon come to an end in Germany and any new recruits will all be volunteers. It's the biggest shake-up to the German army since the end of WWII and the repercussions will be felt all through society. 1 in 2 young people refuse to join up and so they serve their National Service in the community, working in old peoples' homes, hospitals and so on. They've become such an essential part of the system that these institutions are worrying how they'll cope without them.

28/01/2011 - GERMANY

Bundestag decides whether or not to continue soldiers' mission in Afghanistan

The German Parliament is deciding whether or not to extend its soldiers' mission in Afghanistan. Eight were killed in fighting in the northern provinces last year, and the continued presence of German troops in the country is a source of much anger back home. The Bundestag wants to withdraw, but it's not that simple, leaving Chancellor Angela Merkel with a dilemma: leave before the job's done, or face the wrath of the voters.

20/01/2011 - GERMANY

The weakest Linke: German far left party mired in controversy

With no less than seven region elections ahead in Germany this year, far-left party Die Linke is gearing up for the vote by consolidating its position in the East of the country. But in its efforts to gain political ground, leader Gesine Loetzsch has found herself and her party in the middle of a row that could damage them at the ballot box.

07/01/2011 - 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP

Why Qatar 2022 will have a distinctly German flavour

The decision by FIFA to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been met with some controversy, but one country is glad the tiny Gulf state have been made hosts. Several German companies have been appointed to build the country's promised new stadiums and infrastructure, meaning Germany will come out of the tournament a winner, whether or not it lifts the Cup in the final.

(2) comments

12/11/2010 - GERMANY

German integration policy

A few months ago Germans were reveling in their multicultural football team reaching the World Cup Final. The team seemed like a great snapshot of a country that was truly immigrant-friendly. However since then, Chancellor Angela Merkel said that attempts to build a multicultural society in Germany had failed, and immigrants needed to do more to integrate. But many immigrants are finding it difficult to integrate into a country which often refuses to recognise their professional qualifications.

(1) comment

18/03/2010 - GERMANY

Germany's free car scheme

Congestion has become part and parcel of city life. But it costs billions of euros each year in lost time, and additional fuel costs - not to mention the environmental impact. Authorities in Paris say they're aiming to become the first major city in the world to offer a free car service either late this year or in 2011. They're probably watching a pilot scheme run by car maker Daimler in the German city of Ulm.

(3) comments

12/03/2010 - CATHOLIC CHURCH

Sex abuse scandals

In recent months the Catholic Church has been rocked by scandal. After widespread accusations of child abuse by priests in Ireland, similar claims have begun emerging from other European countries, including Austria and the Netherlands. Now criticism in Germany is intensifying, especially after the revelation that the current Pope's brother Georg Ratzinger knew about mistreatment of children in his choir.

(4) comments