Skip to content
Search
Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

scholz

​Ten thousand protesters gather in front of Duesseldorf Central Station to march against the AfD's upcoming afternoon rally in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Feb. 15, 2025.
Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Far right surges to prominence ahead of German elections

Amid a deep economic crisis and renewed migration concerns, the far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is poised to double its vote share in this weekend’s general elections. We talked to Eurasia Group expert Jan Techau, about how the AfD's increasing strength is transforming German politics.

Photo illustration showing Elon Musk's post on X on a mobile phone, with a Union Jack in the background. Elon Musk has posted a stream of online attacks on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his platform X, formerly Twitter.
What We're Watching

European leaders call out Elon Musk

Musk has written a number of recent social media posts to show his support of far-right populists in Europe and to attack politicians on the left. Now, European leaders believe, is the time to brush him back.

​Following the end of the "traffic light" coalition, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has submitted a request to the president of the Bundestag for a vote of confidence in the Bundestag.
Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Germany seeks new political leadership to address economic crisis

Faced with a political impasse preventing action on acute economic and geopolitical challenges, the German parliament will hold a vote of confidence in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government on Dec. 16. We asked Eurasia Group expert Jan Techau to explain what set off this chain of events and where it is likely to lead ahead of February's snap elections.

​KYIV, UKRAINE - DECEMBER 9, 2024 - Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva (L to R) attend a meeting with German Chancellor candidate, leader of the Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.
What We're Watching

Zelensky preps for hard bargaining

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to end Russia’s war with Ukraine.

​FILE PHOTO: A man wearing an IG Metall (Industrial Union of Metalworkers) scarf holds a banner with the Volkswagen logo, as workers gather to strike against planned cuts to wages and possible factory closures, in Hanover, Germany, December 2, 2024. Picture taken with long exposure.
What We're Watching

Hard Numbers: VW goes on strike, Guinean soccer violence turns deadly, Scholz pledges Ukraine aid, US breaks travel record

Illustration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz next to a traffic light
by ian bremmer

Germany’s political crisis, explained

While the United States was still busy counting votes, Germany’s ruling coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz suddenly fell apart last Wednesday, plunging Europe’s largest economy into chaos.

​A general view of the German lower house of parliament, in Berlin, Germany.
What We're Watching

Germany to hold early elections

Under a plan agreed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the opposition, Europe’s largest economy is now headed toward early elections in February.

Germany faces political uncertainty after coalition collapse
GZERO Europe

Germany faces political uncertainty after coalition collapse

What does Germany's coalition collapse mean for Chancellor Scholz, the country, and Europe as a whole? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on European politics from Stockholm, Sweden.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Economic Affairs and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz attend the 2024 budget debate session of the German lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, earlier this year.
What We're Watching

Will Germany’s ruling coalition survive the winter?

Germany’s coalition government is seemingly on the rocks as Berlin contends with a stagnant economy and the three ruling parties — the Social Democrats, the Free Democrats, and the Greens — offer competing visions for a way forward.

What does Russia give in exchange for North Korean troops?
GZERO Europe

What does Russia give in exchange for North Korean troops?

What are the global consequences of North Korean soldiers now appearing on the frontlines in Ukraine? What’s the nature of the agreements that German Chancellor Scholz concluded during his recent visit to Delhi? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on European politics from Stockholm, Sweden.