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Peer Steinbrück
Image: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa/picture alliance Image: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa/picture alliance

Peer Steinbrück

Peer Steinbrück is a German politician from the Social Democratic Party. He stood as the SPD's chancellor candidate in Germany's 2013 federal election.

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Angela Merkel: Conquerer of political rivals

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Peer Steinbrück

SPD's Steinbrück to leave German Bundestag

The man who led the Social Democrat challege to Angela Merkel in 2013 elections is to vacate his seat in parliament.
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CDU hardliners still unhappy with Greek deal

For many in Angela Merkel's party, even the humiliation of Alexis Tsipras was a compromise too far.
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Sigmar Gabriel speaking to delegates at the conference Foto: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

SPD flexing its muscles

Germany’s Social Democrats are seeking to sharpen their profile at a party conference. Chairman Sigmar Gabriel wants to convince delgates he's not selling out in coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
November 14, 2013
Angela Merkel and Sigmar Gabriel Photo: Tim Brakemeier/dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Exploratory coalition talks

Leading members of Chancellor Merkel’s conservatives and the opposition Social Democrats are meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a coalition government. These preliminary talks are strictly exploratory.
October 4, 2013
Peer Steinbrück (photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa)

Steinbrück's farewell

Opinion polls were against Social Democrat Peer Steinbrück, who still tried to turn things around.
September 27, 2013
Barack Obama with Angela Merkel (REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

No surprises

Angela Merkel's election victory confirmed US expectations that she would remain in power.
September 23, 2013
Hinter einem Verkehrsschild "Achtung Baustelle" wirbt am 06.09.2013 in Stralsund (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) ein Wahlplakat der CDU mit der Bundeskanzlerin Merkel für die Bundestagswahl. Kanzlerin Merkel tritt zur Bundestagswahl an der Ostseeküste in Vorpommern als Direktkandidatin an. Am 22.09.2013 wird in Deutschland ein neuer Bundestag gewählt. Foto: Stefan Sauer/ZB

Challenges ahead

DW takes a look at the most pressing issues after the German elections.
September 22, 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel (center) flanked by former Bavarian Premier Edmund Stoiber and current Premier Horst Seehofer. Photo: Andreas Gebert/dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Final German campaign push

Politicians have continued to campaign hard leading up to Germany’s general election. Polls indicate that Chancellor Angela Merkel is headed for victory, but she too has been fighting for every last vote.
September 21, 2013
SPD-Kanzlerkandidat Peer Steinbrück spricht am 19.09.2013 bei der SPD-Wahlkampfveranstaltung "Klartext Open Air" in Berlin auf dem Alexanderplatz. Foto: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Final push before Germany vote

Ahead of Germany's federal election on Sunday, opinion polls show Chancellor Merkel's CDU party in the lead; ten points ahead of rivals SPD. Party representatives also held their last debate ahead of Sunday's vote.
September 20, 2013
Ein Stimmzettel zur Bundestagswahl wird am Sonntag (27.09.2009) in Berlin in einem Wahlraum in eine Urne gesteckt. Bei der Wahl zum 17. Deutschen Bundestag waren nach einer Schätzung des Statistischen Bundesamtes rund 62,2 Millionen Deutsche wahlberechtigt. Foto: Jens Wolf dpa +++(c) dpa - Report+++

German FDP on brink

A survey of German voters published just five days before they pick their next federal parliament shows Chancellor Angela Merkel's existing coalition with the pro-business Free Democrats still at risk.
September 17, 2013
Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) Chairman Horst Seehofer and Chancellor and German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Chairwoman Angela Merkel attend a summit of the two parties to present their election policy program on June 24, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Bavaria votes, before Germany

Some 9.5 million Bavarians are eligible to vote on Sunday in state elections taking place just a week before a national vote in Germany. The state's conservatives could deliver Merkel a big win ahead of the main event.
September 14, 2013
Wahlarena 2013 am 11.09.2013 im Kunstwerk in Mönchengladbach Der Kanzlerkandidat Peer Steinbrück ( SPD ) Foto: Revierfoto

Flipping out

Germans debate how politicians should behave after a candidate gives the finger in an interview.
September 14, 2013
Mit gefalteten Händen hört sich Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) am Donnerstag (16.08.2012) im Aquatron-Meeres- und Frischwasserlabor der Dalhousie-Universität in Halifax den Ausführungen eines Forschers zu. Merkel informierte sich hier über die Herausforderungen und Möglichkeiten der Ozeanforschung. Foto: Kay Nietfeld dpa

Body language in politics

Body language is very important in election campaigns. But there are differences across the globe.
September 10, 2013
Chancellor Merkel listens as Peer Steinbrück speaks in the Bundestag. Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa

Last debate before Germans vote

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Peer Steinbrück, the man who wants her job, met in the Bundestag just two days after their only TV debate of the campaign. This was the last scheduled debate before the election.
September 3, 2013
SPD-Kanzlerkandidat Peer Steinbrück spricht am 15.08.2013 in Berlin zum Thema Energiepolitik. Foto: Maurizio Gambarini/dpa

Merkel's challenger

Germany's Social Democrats are pinning their hopes on an economics expert.
September 2, 2013
People watch a TV duel of German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) with her challenger, the top candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the upcoming German general elections Peer Steinbrueck, in Berlin, September 1, 2013. German voters will take to the polls in a general election on September 22. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Merkel vs Steinbrück

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the opposition Social Democrat who wants to take her job, Peer Steinbrück, have faced the nation in a key televised debate. Germany goes to the polls on September 22.
September 1, 2013
The top candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the upcoming German general elections, Peer Steinbrueck, arrives for a news conference in Berlin, August 29, 2013. German voters will take to the polls in a general election on September 22. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Steinbrück's quick start program

The man seeking to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel after next month's election has unveiled plans for swift change. However, polls suggest there is little chance Peer Steinbrück will get to put his plans into action.
August 29, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping talk during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 30 August 2012. (Photo: dpa)

Seeking continuity

Chinese analysts expect a win for Merkel and her ruling coalition in the upcoming German elections.
August 22, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for a news conference at Bundespressekonferenz in Berlin July 19, 2013. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS)

Grand coalition 'possible'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is not ruling out leading a grand coalition government after the election. This comes amid doubts about whether her current partners will make it into the Bundestag.
August 17, 2013
Supporters of German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold up placards during a election campaign rally in Seligenstadt near Frankfurt August 14, 2013. Returning from a three week vacation, Merkel officially launched her campaign in Seligenstadt near Frankfurt and for a third term as leader in September's election. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Clear sailing for Merkel?

With five weeks to go before Germans go to the polls in a national election, Chancellor Angela Merkel appears on track to win another term. The only question that seems to remain, is who her coalition partners will be.
August 16, 2013
A folder with the logo of the BND intelligence service Photo: Rainer Jensen dpa/lbn

Justice minister presses BND

Revelations about the surveillance activities of the NSA are raising growing concerns among German politicians. The justice minister is also demanding answers from a German intelligence service.
August 5, 2013
Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich (CSU) Foto: Julian Stratenschulte dpa / Eingestellt von wa

Friedrich faces panel on NSA ties

A panel of German lawmakers have convened to question German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich about the US spy program "Prism." Berlin has denied knowing about the snooping, but recent media reports say otherwise.
July 16, 2013
Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) gibt am 27.06.2013 im Bundestag in Berlin eine Regierungserklärung zum vergangenen G8 Gipfel und dem kommenden EU-Gipfel ab. Foto: Tim Brakemeier/dpa

Bundestag showdown

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has faced off with opposition chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück in the Bundestag for the last time before the federal election. The address comes hours before the EU summit in Brussels.
June 27, 2013
Steinbrück and Kleine in Berlin. Foto: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

Steinbrück replaces spokesman

The man who wants to replace Angela Merkel as Germany's chancellor has sacked his spokesman. The decision came just three months ahead of a national election and with Peer Steinbruck in the polls.
June 10, 2013
Peer Steinbrück goes to the podium in lecture hall 1a of the Freie Universität Berlin (Free university of Berlin) in Berlin , 04.06.2013 (Photo via Maurizio Gambarini/dpa)

SPD seeks foreign policy revamp

No drones for the German Bundeswehr, no weapons for anybody in Syria and fewer weapons exports to the world in general; Social Democrat candidate for chancellor Peer Steinbrück has outlined his foreign policy proposals.
June 4, 2013
Peer Steinbrueck, top candidate of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) receives standing ovations after his speech during the extraordinary party meeting of the SPD in Augsburg, April 14, 2013. (Photo: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach)

'I want to be German chancellor'

The Social Democrat candidate for chancellor, Peer Steinbrück, has sought to rally his troops at the party conference in Augsburg. His intentions are clear, but his recent performance has presented problems.
April 14, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano for talks in Berlin February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz

'Confidence' in Italy

The German chancellor has met with Italy's president in Berlin, wishing him success as he forms a new government. Angela Merkel expressed confidence that Italy will emerge from its post-election deadlock.
February 28, 2013
Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) spricht am 21.02.2013 vor dem Deutschen Bundestag in Berlin. Die Regierungschefin gab eine Regierungserklärung zum EU-Gipfel Anfang Februar ab. Foto: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

Defending Europe's budget

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the latest EU leaders’ budget compromise in parliament. Ahead of September’s general election the opposition criticised her attempts at solving Europe's economic crisis.
February 21, 2013
Two middle-aged men look at a computer screen (Photo: SPD/Hans-Jörg Vehlewald)

Social media in Germany

German politicians don't really understand how to use social media for political purposes.
February 5, 2013
Stephan Weil (l), David McAllister Foto: Julian Stratenschulte/dpa +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Polls open in Lower Saxony

Voting has begun in Lower Saxony's parliamentary election. The state is an important bellwether ahead of the fall national election, and will test the strength of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conservative coalition.
January 20, 2013
Peer Steinbrück at a press conference in Hanover in January 2012. (zu dapd-Text) Foto: Clemens Bilan/dapd

SPD's Steinbrück in trouble

German opposition leader Peer Steinbrück has come under fire recently, raising questions over his party's election chances. New poll numbers show the former finance minister has seen a rapid decline in his popularity.
January 11, 2013
A pane of glass doubles the image of a bald, middle-aged politician in a business suit (Photo: REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz)

His own worst enemy

The opposition challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel makes one mistake after another.
January 10, 2013
Niedersachsen/ Der designierte SPD-Kanzlerkandidat Peer Steinbrueck gestikuliert am Sonntag (09.12.12) in Hannover beim ausserordentlichen SPD-Bundesparteitag. Die SPD will auf dem Sonderparteitag ihren Kanzlerkandidaten fuer die Bundestagswahl im Herbst 2013 waehlen. (zu dapd-Text)

Steinbrück to cut weapon exports

Peer Steinbrück, who is set to challenge Angela Merkel for the German chancellorship next year, has criticized her government for letting arms exports surge. He vowed to cut the exports if his opposition wins power.
December 22, 2012
Niedersachsen/ Der designierte SPD-Kanzlerkandidat Peer Steinbrueck gestikuliert am Sonntag (09.12.12) in Hannover beim ausserordentlichen SPD-Bundesparteitag. Die SPD will auf dem Sonderparteitag ihren Kanzlerkandidaten fuer die Bundestagswahl im Herbst 2013 waehlen. (zu dapd-Text)

Steinbrück to challenge Merkel

Members of Germany's largest opposition group, the Social Democrats, have overwhelmingly voted for Peer Steinbrück to lead the party into next year's federal election. The vote confirmed what was commonly known already.
December 9, 2012
Niedersachsen/ Der designierte SPD-Kanzlerkandidat Peer Steinbrueck gestikuliert am Sonntag (09.12.12) in Hannover beim ausserordentlichen SPD-Bundesparteitag. Die SPD will auf dem Sonderparteitag ihren Kanzlerkandidaten fuer die Bundestagswahl im Herbst 2013 waehlen. (zu dapd-Text)

SPD set to elect Steinbrück

The congress of Germany's opposition Social Democrat Party (SPD) is set to name former finance minister Peer Steinbrück as its candidate to run against Angela Merkel for chancellor in elections next year.
December 9, 2012
Former German finance minister Peer Steinbrueck

Outspoken, controversial

The SPD will officially nominate Peer Steinbrück on Sunday to take on Angela Merkel in 2013.
December 8, 2012
German Chancellor Angela Merkel waves as she arrives with CDU Secretary General Hermann Groehe to open a congress of their ruling conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party on December 4, 2012 in Hanover, central Germany. Germany's Angela Merkel will rally the rank-and-file of her conservative party at its annual congress running until December 5, eyeing a third term as chancellor of Europe's top economy in elections in the year 2013. AFP HOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)

Merkel re-elected party chair

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has swept the votes at her party's annual conference, winning the party chair for the seventh time. She now stands poised to begin her national campaign for re-election in 2013.
December 4, 2012
Chancellor Angela Merkel

Merkel calls for more Europe

Germany’s chancellor has called for stepped up efforts to resolve the European sovereign debt crisis. Speaking just hours before the start of an EU summit, the chancellor said this required greater European integration.
October 18, 2012

The troublesome challenger

Volker Wagener writes that Steinbrück is the toughest candidate the SPD has to challenge Merkel.
September 29, 2012
Jens Weidmann

Bank boss

Jens Weidmann, Merkel's behind-the-scenes advisor, will take over the German central bank in April.
February 16, 2011
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück, stands after laying a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.

WWII Reparations

Germany has said no to a Holocaust survivors' request to revise a 1952 reparations agreement.
November 23, 2007

Cutting Corporate Tax

A corporate tax reform approved Friday is meant to put Germany on par with the rest of Europe.
May 25, 2007

More Euros Than Dollars

There are more euro than dollar banknotes in circulation. Even so, the euro remains unpopular.
December 29, 2006

Eastern Germany Gets Pep Talk on Wasting Money

Eastern German state foreign ministers got a dressing down from the government for an alleged waste of Solidarity Pact funds, with Berlin rejecting their calls to relax the stipulations governing how the money is spent.
June 13, 2006

Germany Could go for Gold to Boost Coffers

Germany's designated Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück has said that the government could dip into the Bundesbank's gold reserves to partly finance government attempts to kick-start the economy.
November 14, 2005