DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics

10 Episodes

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Anti-NATO, anti-woke: The new party disrupting German politics

2025-01-0336:05

Germany’s new BSW party, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, is shaking up politics with a mix of left- and right-wing ideas. Opposing NATO and climate policies while advocating for a stronger welfare state and industry revival, it’s dividing opinions ahead of the elections. DW’s Richard Walker, Matthew Moore, and historian Katja Hoyer explore its platform and potential impact.

Why Germany’s far-right AfD is set to break records

2024-12-2743:52

Elon Musk says there's only one political party that can save Germany: the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The far-right party is on track for its best result ever in Germany’s upcoming elections. What is driving its growth? How would the AfD change Germany? DW’s Richard Walker, Matthew Moore and Stefanie Witte (Tagesspiegel) discuss in this Berlin Briefing (recorded on December 13).

How Assad’s fall is shaking up Germany’s migration debate

2024-12-2035:01

In this episode, we dive into the complexities surrounding the future of Syrians in Germany. The debate has been heating up since the Assad regime was toppled. Host Nina Haase speaks to DW's Michaela Küfner and migration expert Raphael Bossong from SWP think tank about where Germany stands-almost ten years after Angela Merkel said "we can do this" about taking in more than a million people.

Will Europe help Georgians defend their EU path against the billionaire with the zebra?

2024-12-1229:00

“We are basically playing by the rules, whereas Moscow is not,” Foreign Affairs Correspondent for Die Zeit magazine Michael Thumann tells Berlin Briefing Host Michaela Küfner in this latest edition on Georgia’s looming constitutional crisis. Will Europe come to the rescue of thousands of pro-EU protesters?

Can Germany have it both ways with China, cooperation AND rivalry?

2024-12-0628:09

China is already calling some major shots on European trade and security. Where that leaves Germany as Europe’s largest economy is at the core of this week’s Berlin Briefing podcast. We map out how Germany’s chancellor and foreign minister still have profoundly different views of the relationship Germany should have with China.

What did Angela Merkel get wrong on Russia?

2024-11-2929:50

In this episode of DW’s Berlin Briefing, host Michaela Küfner challenges her guests to unpack Putin’s hybrid war and assess how Germany should respond. Former NATO analyst Michael Rühle and Carnegie Europe senior fellow Judy Dempsey clash over their different takes on whether Merkel was right on Ukraine and Russia.

'Putin only understands word of force' What's behind Germany's diplomatic efforts?

2024-11-2237:59

Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur speaks to DW’s Nina Haase about Europe’s security challenges, Russia’s war in Ukraine, why European defense spending needs a major boost, and about the impact of Germany's political vacuum on defense commitments. Pevkur also shares his blunt views on Olaf Scholz’s phone call with Vladimir Putin, and why direct talks with Russia may not be the answer.

How are Germany's conservatives preparing for Trump 2.0?

2024-11-1434:16

Germany is gearing up for a snap election in early 2025. The conservative CDU/CSU is leading in the polls. What's at stake for German politics and trans-Atlantic relations with the US? In this episode, hosts Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner sit down with Thomas Silberhorn, a senior member of Bundestag for the CSU, to talk through how to prepare for Trump 2.0 in domestically turbulent times.

Trump 2.0, German coalition collapse and what it could mean for support of Ukraine

2024-11-0827:39

Host Nina Haase talks to DW's Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl and James D. Bindenagel from the German Marshall Fund about what Donald Trump's victory means for European security, support for Ukraine, the future of transatlantic relations — and how the collapse of the German government coalition affects all this.

Trailer: Berlin Briefing

2024-10-2300:30

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DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics