Note from Berlin

The migration crisis is not just about Merkel

Take a look at the German party system – including the AfD’s role as largest opposition party – to understand the faultlines running under the chatter about Merkel

Berlin’s new language of compromise

European politicians have made an abundance of normative speeches on Europe, but few on the politics of cooperation. German leaders’ recent interventions hint at a turning point in this trend. 

Merkel and Macron: edging towards change?

Angela Merkel finally responds to Emmanuel Macron’s Europe reform plans – but through the pages of a newspaper, and in only the most guarded of terms

Macron’s Charlemagne challenge to Berlin

Emmanuel Macron both lay down a gauntlet and held out a hand to Angela Merkel in Aachen. But the chancellor seized neither.

Germany’s defence commitments: nothing but paper tigers?

Scepticism about Germany’s willingness to confront a revisionist Russia in 2014 has vanished. But there is new disappointment that the German diplomatic leadership has no military equivalent.