Following the German election, all of the country’s major party leaders agreed that Germany needs to move forward. But if the electorate had had its way, it would have re-elected Angela Merkel.
Olaf Scholz accepts victory in the German election – but there’s a lot of negotiation ahead.
EPA/Focke Strangman
After beating the formerly biggest party to top the poll, the social democrats will enter complex coalition talks with potential partners, including the Greens and the liberal FDP.
With a very close result as counting continues, it could be weeks or even months before a government is formed. But Sunday’s election has already delivered some significant results.
Germany’s imminent election may seem far away, but in an inter-connected world threatened by political and climate instability, the outcome will affect New Zealand in significant ways.
There is no clear frontrunner to replace Merkel as next German chancellor after this weekend’s election, but whoever succeeds her will have huge shoes to fill.
SPD main candidate Olaf Scholz meets voters on the campaign trail.
Alamy/Reuters
A recent survey conducted in eight European countries provides a snapshot of citizens’ views of their own countries’ leaders as well as those who influence the future of the EU.
As her 16-year reign as German Chancellor comes to an end, Merkel will be remembered for her staunch centrism and her willingness to wait to sense the political mood - sometimes then changing course.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, connected via video with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hold a news conference after a virtual summit with China’s President in Brussels on September 14, 2020.
Yves Herman/AFP
The October launch of the “EU-US Dialogue on China” shows that the two shores of the Atlantic have come to recognise the importance of coordination and cooperation when facing up to Xi Jinping.
Journalists need to be sensitised to the need for gender representation in media content.
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