Simon Schütz

Jörg Meuthen, co-federal leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, speaks at the party congress Nov. 28, in Kalkar, Germany. Meuthen criticized the party's right wing in his speech. The AfD held the two-day congress in person, as total confirmed coronavirus infections passed the 1 million mark.

From NPR

How The Pandemic Dented The Popularity Of Germany's Far-Right AfD Party

Simon Schütz

Many expected the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, to continue growing stronger, but the coronavirus pandemic has exposed the far-right party's deep internal divisions.

Luisa-Marie Neubauer of Fridays for Future takes part in a demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 2. The protest took place while government leaders discussed economic stimulus and other strategies in the fight against the coronavirus.

From NPR

'Make The Climate A Priority Again,' Says Germany's Student Activist Neubauer

Simon Schütz

NPR sits down with Germany's prominent youth climate activist to discuss lessons from the coronavirus and next steps for the movement.

Many Germans say cash is quick and easy to use and keeps transactions more private.

From NPR

For Many Germans, Cash Is Still King

Simon Schütz

Average citizens in Germany carry more than 100 euros on them, significantly more than most of their European neighbors, and they keep big stashes at home.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has had to readjust her government's approach to trans-Atlantic relations.

From NPR

'Washington Has Become Much Rougher': Germany Is Still Recalibrating With Trump

Simon Schütz

Senior officials in Berlin who oversee the trans-Atlantic relationship tell NPR there continue to be concerns about the "German-bashing we hear out of Washington."

Annalena Baerbock, co-chairwoman of the Green party, gestures during her speech at the party convention in Leipzig, Germany, in November.

From NPR

How Germany's Green Party Keeps Winning

Simon Schütz

Formed in 1980, the Greens are now the second most popular party in the country. Much of their success, analysts say, has to do with the worsening image of the country's traditional leading parties.

Björn Höcke (center), a politician from the Alternative for Germany party, participates in a march in Chemnitz, eastern Germany, on Sept. 1, after several nationalist groups called for marches protesting the killing of a German man allegedly by migrants.

From NPR

Germany's Far-Right AfD Party Now Polls Second

Simon Schütz

It is the latest sign that many citizens are drawn to a populist movement that is reshaping politics in Germany by focusing debate squarely on immigration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves a press conference after a leadership meeting at her party headquarters in Berlin on Monday. Hardliners in her conservative bloc want to bar asylum-seekers from entering Germany if they've already applied or registered for asylum in other European countries.

From NPR

Differences Over Migration Policy Throw German Government Into Crisis

Simon Schütz

Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition partner wants to bar migrants from entering Germany if they've applied for asylum elsewhere, and has given her two weeks to tighten asylum rules.

Alexander Gauland walks from the Brandenburg Gate to the Bundestag in Berlin after he delivered a speech during the "demonstration for the future of Germany" called by the far-right AfD in Berlin on May 27. Last weekend, Gauland caused outrage in Germany when he called the Nazi era "just a speck of bird s*** in more than 1,000 years of successful German history."

From NPR

Germany's Far-Right AfD Party Is Making Its Presence Felt

Simon Schütz

Alexander Gauland, the head of Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, made recent remarks about the Nazi era that offended many Germans, but critics say it's all part of the AfD's playbook.

Muslim women from Syria take a German language lesson at a Muslim cultural center in February in Halle, Germany.

Debate On Role Of Islam Divides German Government

Simon Schütz

Members of the Merkel government agree that Muslims belong in Germany but disagree on whether the religion itself does.

Alexander Gauland, 76, and Alice Weidel, 38, are the leaders of the populist, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party. They will both take seats in the country's Parliament later this month.

From NPR

The 'Very Different' Leaders Of Germany's Far-Right AfD Party

Simon Schütz

The populist, anti-immigrant party is led by a lesbian former investment banker who's worked in China and a 76-year-old politician who abandoned Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union.