Politics of Germany

Germany's interior minister on Monday forced out domestic spy chief Hans-Georg Maassen, whose controversial comments about racist far-right protesters threw Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government into crisis.

Angela Merkel's decision to step down from the leadership of the largest party in the European Union's leading member-state has increased uncertainty on the eve of a year that will see change throughout the bloc's major institutions.

Wolfgang Schaeuble has fended off criticism of being too harsh on Greece as finance minister of Germany.

At what is a critical juncture for Europe, its natural leader has been dealt a heavy blow, shaking the structure to its core. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will try to stay in office for the length of her term, but faces an uphill battle. A

Namely, Vucic reacted after Trajkovic said that he had been "working behind the back of German Chancellor Angela Merkel," and also, that he had "disappointed Merkel."

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministrys European cooperation department Andrei Kelin said this on Monday.

"We will have to create a defense belt near Sochi. We will have to spend colossal resources on preventing likely actions by a hypothetical enemy, this is inevitable," Kelin said, according to TASS.

Merkel also said she will seek re-election as head of her party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), and that she has no desire to serve as member of the German parliament (Bundestag), either.

Merkel rounded up all her decisions in one sentence - that she will not stand for any political office once her mandate as chancellor expires in 2021.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told leaders of her party that she will not seek re-election as chairwoman at a conference in early December, a senior senior party source said.

Despite stepping down from her role as chairwoman of the Christian Democrats, Merkel maintains that she will remain as chancellor. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government on Oct. 28 suffered a beating in a second key regional election in as many weeks, multiplying questions over the future of the veteran leader's fragile alliance.

Angela Merkel's government on Tuesday removed domestic spy chief Hans-Georg Maassen from office, transferring him to a different post to defuse an explosive row over immigration and the far right that once more rocked the German chancellor's fragile coalition.