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Image: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/picture allianceImage: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/picture alliance

Markus Söder

Markus Söder is a Bavarian politician. He is Bavaria’s state premier and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the conservative Bavarian allies to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy shaking hands with Annalena Baerbock

Volodymyr Zelenskyy shaking hands with Annalena Baerbock

Is Germany still able to act on foreign policy?

Germany's government collapsed over budget issues such as increasing aid to Ukraine, but the opposition vows continuity.

Friedrich Merz (left) and Markus Söder at a press conference

Friedrich Merz (left) and Markus Söder at a press conference

German conservative Friedrich Merz to run for chancellor

Friedrich Merz, the opposition's lead candidate in the next election, wants to focus on migration and the economy.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands among German citizens in Berlin

Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands among German citizens in Berlin

Disgruntled German voters want change

Support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left government has reached a new low. But who stands to gain?

DW's Ines Pohl spoke to Thomas Silberhorn at the DNC on the future of the transatlantic relations.

DW's Ines Pohl spoke to Thomas Silberhorn at the DNC on the future of the transatlantic relations.

Silberhorn: Europe must do 'homework' to remain relevant

DW's Ines Pohl spoke to Thomas Silberhorn at the DNC on the future of the transatlantic relations.

Markus Söder shaking hands with rescue workers in Passau

Markus Söder shaking hands with rescue workers in Passau

Germany floods: Blame game begins as waters recede

As floodwaters recede in Bavaria, the government is coming under fire for cutting funds for flood prevention.

Friedrich Merz holding up his voting card, looking grim

Friedrich Merz holding up his voting card, looking grim

Friedrich Merz, the CDU and its bid for power

At its political convention, the CDU adopted a new conservative platform. The issues: "Leitkultur," asylum and Islam.

Germany supporters waving flags

Germany supporters waving flags

What is German 'Leitkultur' and why is it controversial?

The controversial term "Leitkultur" is being used more frequently when debating integration in German society.

Deutschland | Markus Söder | Ministerpräsident von Bayern

Deutschland | Markus Söder | Ministerpräsident von Bayern

Bavaria's Söder gives away Easter egg showing his face

So, what made Bavarian state premier Markus Söder's Easter giveaway egg "special," other than its "delicious" smell?

Bavaria's Markus Söder having fake eyebrows applied in a makeup studio. February 2, 2024.

Bavaria's Markus Söder having fake eyebrows applied in a makeup studio. February 2, 2024.

Bavaria's costume veteran Söder unveils 2024 Carnival outfit

One of Germany's more colorful, if less significant, recurring political questions has its annual answer.

A person holds a flag that says Werteunion

A person holds a flag that says Werteunion

Germany: Right-wing group to form a new conservative party

The Werteunion, or Values Union, aims to take part in upcoming regional polls in three eastern German states.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Germany: Scholz coalition battered in Bavaria, Hesse polls

Projections show conservative parties were the day's winners, with losses for Scholz's traffic light coalition.

Markus Söder posing with waiters at the Oktoberfest opening 2023

Markus Söder posing with waiters at the Oktoberfest opening 2023

Who is Bavaria's Markus Söder?

Bavaria's state premier dominates both his state and his party. He may yet harbor ambitions for Germany's top job.

Oktoberfest dancers in traditional Bavarian dirndls

Oktoberfest dancers in traditional Bavarian dirndls

Bavaria election: Populism dominates campaign

One of Germany's most affluent states is heading to the polls with the incumbent desperate to stay in power.

CSU flags flying against a cloudy sky

CSU flags flying against a cloudy sky

Bavaria's Christian Social Union: What you need to know

Bavarians are known for their local pride. The political expression of this is their own conservative party: the CSU.

Katharina Schulze and Ludwig Hartmann smiling, holding their election program

Katharina Schulze and Ludwig Hartmann smiling, holding their election program

Germany: Greens stay bullish despite attacks in Bavaria

The German Greens have been abused on the campaign trail in Bavaria and have had to defend unpopular federal policies.

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder speaks at the CSU party conference in Munich

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder speaks at the CSU party conference in Munich

Bavaria's leader slams Scholz government ahead of state vote

Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder has sharply criticized Olaf Scholz's three-party federal coalition on migration.

Bayern Grenzpolizei

Bayern Grenzpolizei

Bavaria touts its border police as model for Germany

With state elections coming up and migration on the rise, state premier Markus Söder is stumping for border security.

A row of rabbis wearing black, felt hats and black suits sit in a row

A row of rabbis wearing black, felt hats and black suits sit in a row

Europe's rabbis move their headquarters to Munich

In a "new beginning" for Jewish life in Germany, the Conference of European Rabbis has moved from London to Munich.

Oktoberfest visitors storm the festival grounds.

Oktoberfest visitors storm the festival grounds.

Munich mayor taps first keg, opening 188th Oktoberfest

Munich's mayor has tapped the first keg, officially opening the Bavarian capital's 18-day beer festival.

Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger holding a speech standing amidst people at a party in a pavilion.

Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger holding a speech standing amidst people at a party in a pavilion.

Bavarian politician keeps job despite anti-semitism scandal

An anti-semitism scandal around Bavarian deputy premier Hubert Aiwanger has rocked Germany's biggest state.

Hubert Aiwanger on the podium in a beer tent, speaking into a microphone

Hubert Aiwanger on the podium in a beer tent, speaking into a microphone

Bavaria: Aiwanger stays on despite alleged Holocaust jokes

Hubert Aiwanger has kept his job despite being accused of making antisemitic jokes as a teenager.

Hubert Aiwanger (left) and Markus Söder

Hubert Aiwanger (left) and Markus Söder

Bavaria's Aiwanger keeps job after antisemitism scandal

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavaria's deputy premier and economy minister, has been accused of antisemitism in his youth.

Hubert Aiwanger speaks into a microphone

Hubert Aiwanger speaks into a microphone

Germany: Who is controversial politician Hubert Aiwanger?

The leader of the right-wing populist Free Voters is facing antisemitism allegations just weeks before a crucial vote.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz pictured in March 2023.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz pictured in March 2023.

The 'firewall' to Germany's far right is crumbling

Adopting far-right rhetoric does not help mainstream parties to win over voters.

An election poster showing the AfD's Hannes Loth

An election poster showing the AfD's Hannes Loth

Why is far-right populism becoming more popular in Germany?

The Alternative for Germany is finding support from new voters, and has now won two local elections in a week. Why?

Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder giving a speech at the protest in Erding

Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder giving a speech at the protest in Erding

Germany: Thousands in Bavaria protest Greens' heating law

Planned legislation to make heating systems more climate-friendly has been protested in Southern Germany.

A man stands on a bridge looking at the Isar 2 nuclear plant

A man stands on a bridge looking at the Isar 2 nuclear plant

Bavaria mulls reopening nuclear plant under state control

Hours after Germany closed its last three nuclear power plants, one state premier sought powers to reverse the decision.

Hans-Georg Maassen, file photo from 2021.

Hans-Georg Maassen, file photo from 2021.

German Christian Democrats vote to expel spy agency ex-boss

Hans-Georg Maassen ran Germany's domestic intelligence agency for years. He's since tried to move into politics.

The Bundestag

The Bundestag

Germany passes bill to speed up asylum procedures

The CDU/CSU opposition conservative bloc voted against the bill, which was backed by all three ruling coalition parties.

Markus Söder and Friedrich Merz holding up their joint hands in a victory pose on stage

Markus Söder and Friedrich Merz holding up their joint hands in a victory pose on stage

German conservatives find new strength in post-Merkel times

Germany's conservative alliance of CDU and CSU, so long used to running the country, has found unity in opposition.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks on the stage of a demonstration in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 which is the host city of the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks on the stage of a demonstration in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 which is the host city of the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit.

Greta: Germany making 'mistake' by ditching nuclear for coal

The climate activist said it would be "a very bad idea" to focus on coal if nuclear power was already in place.

Berlin, Angela Merkel speaks at the podium at the opening of the new Chancellor Helmut Kohl Foundation in Berlin -- September 27, 2022.

Berlin, Angela Merkel speaks at the podium at the opening of the new Chancellor Helmut Kohl Foundation in Berlin -- September 27, 2022.

Merkel speaks at new, contentious Helmut Kohl Foundation

Angela Merkel lauded Kohl's legacy at a new foundation named after him, while his widow threatened legal action.

Young people reach out for free beer in one of the beer tents on the opening day of the 187th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich

Young people reach out for free beer in one of the beer tents on the opening day of the 187th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich

Munich Oktoberfest kicks off after 2-year break

The world-famous beer festival opened in Germany after two years of hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

Bavarian musicians in traditional clothing

Bavarian musicians in traditional clothing

Germany's north-south divide flares up over energy

North-south rivalries reemerge among the German states, as Bavaria and Lower Saxony swap barbs.

A heater in the color of the German flag, before wallpaper with euro symbols

A heater in the color of the German flag, before wallpaper with euro symbols

Germans' support for Russia sanctions steady — can it last?

Russia is supplying less gas and energy prices are rising. Can solidarity with Ukraine endure as life gets tougher?

Two nursing staff members in an intensive care unit

Two nursing staff members in an intensive care unit

COVID: Bavaria suspends vaccine mandate for nursing staff

The German state will not impose a vaccine mandate for professional caregivers set to go into force nationwide in March.

Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz to lead Germany's CDU

Members of the Christian Democratic Union have chosen Friedrich Merz over two other candidates to chair the party.

Dresden's Christmas market cordoned off

Dresden's Christmas market cordoned off

Bavaria and Saxony cancel Christmas markets

Both states are also tightening measures in districts with seven-day COVID incidence rates of over 1,000 per 100,000.

Markus Söder

Markus Söder

Germany: CSU chief downbeat on conservative-led coalition

Leading Bavarian lawmaker Markus Söder says conservatives in Germany will likely face a new era in opposition.

People walk and drive past election posters of the three candidates for German chancellor, from right, Armin Laschet, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Annalena Baerbock, German Green party (Die Gruenen) and Olaf Scholz, Social Democratic Party (SPD)

People walk and drive past election posters of the three candidates for German chancellor, from right, Armin Laschet, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Annalena Baerbock, German Green party (Die Gruenen) and Olaf Scholz, Social Democratic Party (SPD)

German parties extend coalition talks

A week after Germany's parliamentary election, the main four parties are starting formal coalition talks.

Melina Grundmann

Melina Grundmann

Bundestag could use more women

Melina Grundmann

Just one-third of the members in Germany's newly elected parliament are women. That's not representative of our society.

Ralph Brinkhaus

Ralph Brinkhaus

In coalition limbo, CDU/CSU compromises on key job

Germany's conservatives, trying to consolidate ahead of collation talks, keep chairman Ralph Brinkhaus — for now.

Reichstag building in the parties' colors

Reichstag building in the parties' colors

Germany's election results: Facts and figures

Where do Germany's political parties have their strongholds?

Game playing pieces in various colors symbolizing the German Bundestag members

Game playing pieces in various colors symbolizing the German Bundestag members

German election 2021: Governing coalition options

DW takes a look at Germany's colorful shorthand for how various coalitions governments could shape up.

A woman looking at election posters

A woman looking at election posters

What are the German party programs?

Here is where the six main parties stand on the most important topics such as climate, taxes and social security.

CSU politician Thomas Erndl is on the campaign trail, trying to make up losses in his constituency of Deggendorf.

CSU politician Thomas Erndl is on the campaign trail, trying to make up losses in his constituency of Deggendorf.

Rebuilding trust in politics

CSU politician Thomas Erndl is trying to make up losses in his constituency of Deggendorf.

Armin Laschet happy on stage

Armin Laschet happy on stage

CDU's Laschet tries to summon Bavarian loyalty

The Christian Social Union's (CSU) party conference was one of the candidate's last chances to turn round his fortunes.

Armin Laschet

Armin Laschet

Armin Laschet, the hapless candidate

A month before the general election, Germany's ruling conservatives have been slipping in opinion polls.

Current chancellor Angela Merkel of the CDU follows Olaf Scholz of the SPD

Current chancellor Angela Merkel of the CDU follows Olaf Scholz of the SPD

Merkel questions SPD's Scholz on Left party

Angela Merkel has taken the Social Democrat candidate to succeed her to task over his possible coalition options.

Election placards in Berlin

Election placards in Berlin

Germany: Merkel's bloc falls behind center-left SPD

It’s the first time in 15 years that the center-left party has led the race. A general election is due next month.