Germany’s anti-capitalist Left party, which pledged to expropriate housing from private real estate companies, has won an election in the city-state of Berlin, beating both the ruling Conservatives of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the far-right Alternative for Germany.
Germany’s small and mid-sized businesses, the so-called Mittelstand that forms the backbone of Europe’s largest economy, expressed concern about the far-right Alternative for Germany’s clear victory in a state election and urged the federal government to finally deliver on pledged reforms to revive growth.
When Elon Musk posted on X in 2024 that the only thing that could “save Germany” was the AfD, he was embracing a political force that has moved steadily to the far right since it was founded in 2013.
Deutsche Bank AG Chief Executive Officer Christian Sewing warned of populism and polarization ahead of an election in an eastern Germany state on Sunday where a far-right party is poised to secure a victory.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reinforced a call for dialogue with China to address concerns that the world’s second-largest economy is shoring up an unfair trade advantage by keeping its currency artificially low.
Friedrich Merz during his visit to China in February.
Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume is facing an uphill battle to push through a fundamental overhaul of Europe’s biggest carmaker after failing to win initial backing from the supervisory board.
Consumers are set to start feeling the impact of the Iran war beyond filling up their cars, with price jumps on ingredients for everyday cleaning products, tires and animal feed.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said creating incentives for investments in Europe is a better approach to prevent capital outflows to other regions than imposing taxes.
Christine Lagarde at the Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 15.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said creating incentives for investments in Europe is a better approach to prevent capital outflows to other regions than imposing taxes.
Christine Lagarde at the Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 15.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said creating incentives for investments in Europe is a better approach to prevent capital outflows to other regions than imposing taxes.
Christine Lagarde at the Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 15.
Germany’s federal prosecutor ordered the arrest of five men for allegedly exporting goods worth at least €30 million ($36 million) to Russia in breach of European Union sanctions.
Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil oversees the customs agents who made the arrests.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described “certain sectors” of his country’s economy as being in “very critical” condition and pledged that reviving growth will be his government’s top priority this year.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described “certain sectors” of his country’s economy as being in “very critical” condition and pledged that reviving growth will be his government’s top priority this year.
German footballer Mario Goetze is 33, which is often when players start thinking about life after professional sports. Goetze, however, has been preparing for some years already. Inspired by top US athletes like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, he’s built a robust private investment portfolio that he’ll keep developing after his first career ends.
Mario Goetze, soccer player of Eintracht Frankfurt, following an interview in Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg