Germany in Focus

This week on Germany in Focus we look at how views on Israel and Palestine have changed in three years since the October 7th attacks, tenants' rights around heating as temperatures drop and the police hunt for a Puma near Munich.

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Here are links to stories we talk about:

The discourse in Germany about Israel-Palestine

• IN PICTURES - Thousands join pro-Palestinian march in Berlin
• Why is the Left Party in Berlin being accused of antisemitism?
• Why Germany is holding back from recognising Palestine as a state
• Germany urges top UN court to dismiss Gaza genocide case
• Germany says Israel 'increasingly in the minority' on Palestine issue

What are your rights for heating your home as temperatures drop

• When should I turn on the heating in my German flat?
• What tenants and landlords need to know about Germany’s heating meter deadline

A big cat sighting in Munich?

• Police search for puma near Munich airport
• Germany's wildest summer 'silly season' stories

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This week host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Paul Krantz and Tom Pugh. Our sound engineer is Paul O'Mahony.

Here are links to stories we talk about:

Rise of the far right in Germany and developments in Saxony-Anhalt:

• Germany's far right gains first ever parliament speaker
• 'We don’t accept this' - Inside the German legal team organising against the far-right
• Why the Alternative for Germany is considered a far-right extremist party
• German far right aims to lead Saxony-Anhalt government in December
• What happens next after the AfD's win in Saxony-Anhalt?
• 'Like a MAGA campaign' - why is the AfD so popular in Saxony-Anhalt?

Germany brings back fuel tax cut:

• How much will Germany's fuel tax cut save drivers?

Cost of Deutschlandticket to rise, along with other transport tickets:

• Germany's Deutschlandticket to cost €66.80 from 2027
• Where are public transport fares set to rise in Germany in 2027?

Getting into the autumn mood in Germany:

• How to prepare for autumn like a German
• The best places to go mushroom foraging in Germany
• 10 unmissable events in October 2026

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In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards.

Here's the links to the stories we talk about:

Germany's budget plans: 

• Kindergeld and tax relief - how Germany's planned 2025 budget could affect you
• Will Germany introduce a tax rebate for foreign skilled workers?

Taylor Swift comes to Germany:

• What you need to know about Taylor Swift's Germany concerts

Tenants' rights:

• What can you get you evicted as a tenant in Germany 

Berlin named Germany's most expensive city:

• Which German cities are the most expensive for residents?

Summer in Germany:

• How to make the most of Germany's long summer days

 We hope you have a fabulous summer and see you in September!

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Germany's fraught political landscape and budget woes:

• What the shock defection of a Greens MP to the CDU tells us about German politics

Future of the €49 ticket amid ailing rail infrastructure in Germany:

• Why has German train punctuality got so bad?
• Where to expect disruption due to rail upgrades in Germany this year

Confusion over whether people naturalising as German have to affirm Israel's right to exist:

• Do new German citizens have to affirm Israel's right to exist?

Underrated German tourist spots:

• Five lesser-known German summer destinations to visit this year

July events across Germany:

• 11 unmissable events happening around Germany this July
• CSD in Germany: The Pride events you won't want to miss this summer

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. We also hear from Matt Bristow, a volunteer with British in Germany. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Cannabis clubs:

• What to know about Germany's partial legalisation of cannabis

Proposals to improve rural transport:

• Can Germany solve its patchy rural transport connections?

Citizenship law changes:

• German conservatives vow to overturn dual citizenship law if elected 
• What would citizenship mean to foreigners in Germany?
• CHECKLIST - What do I need to apply for German citizenship?
• Foreigners in Germany celebrate as long-awaited dual citizenship law comes into force

Handling Germany's summer insects:

• How to deal with fruit flies and other critters plaguing your German flat

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Euro 2024 fever: 

• IN PICTURES: Euro fans take over German cities for Euro 2024
• Where are the fan zones for Euro 2024 in Germany?
• Euro 2024 travel chaos raises questions about German efficiency 
• Are German police really advising fans to smoke cannabis?

German coalition government trouble: 

• German government in deadlock over 2025 budget
• What the EU elections say about the state of politics in Germany
• What do Germany's far-right gains in EU elections mean for foreigners?

Changes to the postal system:

• Post in Germany to arrive later after government passes reform

German citizenship to come into force next week:

• What are citizenship offices around Germany doing to prepare for new law?
• What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law?

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. We are also joined by Kit Holden. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

European election latest: 

• EU elections - Why has Germany's far-right AfD party crashed in the polls?
• 10 things you should know about the European parliamentary elections 
• Who are Germany's newest parties running in the EU elections?
• How do the 2024 European elections work and when will we know the results?

Floods in Germany: 

• Death toll in German floods rises as residents left stranded
• Where in Germany do homeowners face the greatest flood risk?

German citizenship:

• How much do you need to earn to qualify for German citizenship? 

Euro 2024 coming up in Germany:

• The 10 German stadiums hosting Euro 2024 matches and how to get to them
• Euro 2024 - Six things to know about visiting Germany this summer
• Hope returns for hosts Germany ahead of Euro 2024

Summer German drinks: 

• Five German drinks to try this summer

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Racist video from Sylt goes viral and sparks backlash:

• Outrage after partygoers filmed chanting racist slogans on island of Sylt
• Are people punished for using Nazi slogans in Germany?

Emmanuel Macron's German language journey:

• Macron's German teacher opens up about 'ideal student' 

New jobseekers' visa launches:

• How Germany's opportunity card will allow easier entries for foreign workers from June
• How many skilled workers will immigrate to Germany with the opportunity card?

German cities struggle with weight of citizenship applications:

• Cologne stops accepting German citizenship applications

Events in June:

• Six unmissable events happening around Germany in June 2024
• Euro 2024 - Six things to know about visiting Germany this summer

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We also hear from journalist Avalon Pernell.

Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Culture shocks Americans face in Germany:

• 10 things I found shocking as an American moving to Germany 

Germany to launch citizenship campaign and how to prove you're eligible for citizenship:

• Germany's citizenship campaign to inform foreigners about new law
• Requirements, costs and permits - 6 essential articles for German citizenship

Therapy in Germany:

• How to find available therapists in Germany

What's it like being self-employed in Germany in 2024:

• 'Almost half' of freelancers in Germany struggling to find assignments

Cool facts about Saxony: 

• 10 things you never knew about the German state of Saxony

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In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We also hear from journalist James Jackson.

Here are some links to the stories we talk about:

Angela Merkel's memoir:

• Former German chancellor Merkel to release memoir in November
• Analysis - are Germans questioning Merkel's legacy?

Why German politicians are flocking to TikTok:

• German politicians get on TikTok after far-right success
• 'A fight for the youth vote': Are German politicians social media savvy enough?

Interesting facts on Cologne and how to visit on a budget:

• 10 facts you probably didn't know about Cologne 
• What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly trip to Cologne 

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