#GERMANY: Vice Chancellor Supports Controversial EU Army Proposal

[world politics news]

The Vice Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, who might succeed outgoing leader Angela Merkel after September’s federal elections, has revealed that he backs the creation of a European army controlled by the European Parliament and other EU organs.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagzeitung, Scholz, who is the leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party, confessed: “For me, a common army is part of the idea of European sovereignty.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#GERMANY: Anti-Merkel Populists Make Gains In Two State Elections

[world politics news]

Chancellor Angela Merkel's hold on power was dealt a huge blow when support for her conservatives and Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners bled support to the far right in two state elections - a double blow to her already unstable ruling alliance.

Merkel's Christian Democrats remained the largest party in Saxony, but saw their share of the vote drop by 7.4 points from the 2014 election to 32% with the populist Alternative for Germany Party almost tripling it's vote and coming in second.

The AfD harnessed voter anger over refugees and the planned closure of coal mines in the eastern states.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#GERMANY: Merkel Gets Renewed Coalition With Social Democrats, But Is Greatly Weakened

[world politics news]

Social Democrats have agreed to another "loveless" coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel, ending four months of horse-trading and gridlock in Germany, after two minor parties refused to work with her during a fourth term, which she won in October. Sixty-six percent of the Social Democrats, in a mail-in ballot, supported the coalition. They had their worst showing at the polls last year since the Second World War. The SPD's youth chief Kevin Kühnert, ran an impassioned campaign against the planned coalition, forcing the party membership to vote, and saying he wouldn't withhold criticism.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Political Earthquake As Merkel Wins, But Anti-Immigrant Party Wins 3rd Slot With 13% Of Vote

[world politics news]

Sending a message to Chancellor Angela Merkel (who nonetheless won a fourth term in office) the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Sunday became the first openly anti-immigration party to enter parliament with so many seats since World War II, despite calls to stop the alleged "Nazi" Party. Exit polls showed the AfD with around 13% of the vote, making it the third biggest political force in Germany - a stunning result for a party that was founded just four years ago.

[FULL STORY HERE]