Germany in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Germany as well as explore and explain the major issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.
In each episode presenter Rachel Loxton chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Germany’s Rachel Stern, Imogen Goodman, James Jackson and Aaron Burnett. They are also frequently joined by other expert commentators.
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The Local Germany team discusses the recently agreed-upon draft budget for 2025, detailing proposed tax breaks for foreign skilled workers, increased child benefits, and infrastructure investments, alongside public reactions and future steps. The episode also covers Taylor Swift's Eras Tour arriving in Germany, including the economic impact of "Swiftonomics" and a city renaming itself "Swiftkirchen." Additionally, listeners learn about critical tenant rights regarding evictions in Germany, new findings naming Berlin as the country's most expensive city despite its high happiness ranking, and unique German traditions for enjoying the summer months.
Join The Local Germany with our podcast listener offer 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 disr...
Join The Local Germany with our podcast listener offer 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: Germ...
Join The Local Germany with our podcast listener offer 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 gove...
Join The Local Germany with our podcast listener offer 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...
Join The Local Germany with our podcast listener offer 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...
Join The Local Germany with our podcast listener offer 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 inf...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . 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 politician...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about: Attacks on German politicians surge ahead of European elections: Suspect held in attack on former Berlin mayor Can foreign residents in Germany vote in the European elections? Eurovision in Germany (and G...
Find out more about becoming a member of The Local 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: Who's affected by hike in flight ticket tax and what's the future for budget air travel?: 'Germany lacks a sensible airline policy': Is budget air travel on the decline? The changes to be aware of in May: Everything that changes in Germany in May 2024 How to maximise public h...
Find out more about becoming a member of The Local here In this episode Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about: The spy scandals gripping Germany and rocking the AfD: 'How spying scandal has rocked troubled German far-right party What we know about the alleged spies accused of plotting attacks on Germany for Russia Berlin's €29 ticket relaunch: 'Berlin-Abo' - Everything you need to...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . 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 some of the stories we talk about: Bavaria takes a stand against Germany's cannabis legalisation: 'Bavaria moves to ban cannabis at Oktoberfest and beer gardens Germany’s new self-determination law passed by parliament and the pl...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about: German national football team's strip controversies: 'Lack of patriotism': German football team to cut ties with Adidas after 70 years Can German trains improve their punctuality: German government expec...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our guest this week is historian and tour guide Jonny Whitlam. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about: Germany's citizenship law passes final hurdle and why the citizenship test is being shaken up: Elation and worry as Germany's citizenship ...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . In this episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Aaron Burnett and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to stories we talk about today: Latest update on German citizenship law: When might Germany's dual citizenship law get final signature? What the European elections mean for Germany: What's at stake in Germany's European election vote...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panellists Imogen Goodman and Paul Krantz. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by economist Friedhelm Pfeiffer, a senior researcher at the European Centre for Economic Research in Mannheim. Here are some links to stories we talk about today: Why a German city has launched a public light display for...
Germany in Focus is made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by immigration lawyer Sven Hasse. Here are links to some of the stories we talk about: Germany's cannabis law approved in the Bundestag: German parliament votes to legalise cannabis possession Will cannabis legislation i...
Germany in Focus made possible by the generous support of subscribers to The Local - find out more here about becoming a member . Our sponsor for this episode is US tax specialist BrightTax. In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Paul Krantz and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by career coach Kevin Kocher from Immigrant Spirit. Here are links to some of the stories we talk about: Berlin's ruling on illegal holiday lets and Airbnbs: Could a...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We are also joined by Berlin-based immigration lawyer Sven Hasse. Here are links to some of the stories we talk about: Carnival in Germany: Trump and Putin take centre stage at Germany's Rosenmontag parades Why Germany is getting ready for the possibility of war: Germany needs to be 'war ready' in five years, says army chief...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are some links to the stories we talk about. Paying taxes: Should you get a tax advisor in Germany - and how much does it cost? Reader Question: How can I find a German tax advisor? German traditions: Eight strange superstitions that Germans hold dearly Can you get a job in Germany without speaking German? INTERVIEW: ...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We talk about the new round of strikes causing travel chaos in Germany. Where will public transport in Germany be affected by strikes on Friday? Public transport to hospitals - which strikes are coming up in Germany Tens of thousands affected by airport security staff strikes in Germany We get into the big changes happenin...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We get into the train strike, AfD protests and hear from migration experts on what the new citizenship law means for foreigners in Germany. We also answer your questions on citizenship. If you have any questions for a future podcast episode, ask them here: What questions should we answer on our podcast? Here are the links ...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. If you have any questions for a future podcast episode, ask them here: What questions should we answer on our podcast? Here are the links to some of the stories we discuss: Germany's citizenship law goes to the Bundestag: German parliament passes landmark dual citizenship reform What you need to know about Germany's citizen...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss: Train strikes in Germany: Germany could see more train strikes this winter, says rail boss Train strike - how will travel in Germany's five largest cities be affected? Farmers' protests across the country: Furious farmers state Germany-wide tractor blockades How will the 202...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and James Jackson. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss: German citizenship debate held in the Bundestag: What are the next steps for Germany's long-awaited dual citizenship law? Should you apply for citizenship before or after the new law comes in? What you should know about your rights if your flight or train is delayed or cance...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss: Christmas markets and Advent traditions in Germany: What's the history behind Germany's beloved Christmas markets? German word of the day - der Adventkrantz Germany's growing budget crisis: Schuldenbremse - What is Germany's debt brake and ho...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and James Jackson Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We talk about why Germany’s love affair with the fax machine may be coming to an end. How Germany is ending its 40 year love affair with the fax machine Germany's Interior Ministry has been holding a conference on Islam this week - we look at why it's been controversial What is Germany's Isla...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In the latest episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We chat about American football's popularity in Germany and Rachel Loxton's trip to Frankfurt to see an NFL game. Millions of fans: How Germany fell in love with American football We get into the latest strikes in Germany and how they might affect you. How will Germany's public service s...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by hearing about some Diwali events happening in Germany. Where to celebrate Diwali 2023 in Germany We dig into why the debate in the Bundestag on Germany's new citizenship law has been delayed and why the topic of integration is being talked about again. We also hear from guest ...
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode of the Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We talk about what to expect from energy costs this winter in Germany and what’s happening with inflation. What will happen to gas and electricity prices this winter in Germany? How high will heating bills be this winter in Germany? What has caused inflation in Germany to slow to 3.8 percent...
