Germany

German FM and staff were targets of systematic NSA taps

International — Document

The phones of German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and those of many of his ministry staff were systematically tapped by the US National Security Agency (NSA) in an eavesdropping operation that began at least 15 years ago, Mediapart can reveal in this report in collaboration with WikiLeaks. Confidential NSA documents obtained by WikiLeaks also disclose how Steinmeier, during his first term as foreign minister in 2005, “appeared relieved” to have been spared details of infamous rendition flights operated by the US over German airspace. Jérôme Hourdeaux and Mathieu Magnaudeix report.

Why Europe's new problem is Germany

International — Analysis

The dogmatic intransigence and unprecedented brutality that Germany has directed towards the Greek government now marks a historic break-up of the European project, writes Mediapart editor François Bonnet in this analysis of the five years of high drama surrounding the Greek debt crisis. The camouflage, he writes, has finally dropped: the arrival of an aggressive German superpower in Europe, seated on economic strength but also its influence over a number of central European states, one that is intent on imposing its economic and monetary vision, promises untold divisions and dangers.

France's role behind Greek bailout deal

International — Link

Analysts say that while Germany remains EU's senior player, the debt talks saga has shown France can still be a key counterweight power.

FIFA boss say French and German leaders tried to 'influence' World Cup votes

France — Link

Sepp Blatter says both French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German president intervened, leading to World Cup being staged in Qatar.

Greek crisis exposes French-German divisions

International — Link

French president François Hollande calls for Greek deal now while Germans say there can be no agreement before Sunday's referendum.

France and Germany unhappy with EU migrant quota plans

International — Link

French and German interior ministers said EU plan to resettle migrants across member states should 'take better account of efforts already made'.

France and Germany agree closer eurozone ties without EU treaty change

International — Link

Deal between Paris and Berlin on tighter political union seen as blow to British premier David Cameron's own hopes for treaty changes.

France says confidence restored with Germany after spy claims

France — Link

French officials said claims that Germany's BND agency had helped US spy on France were not new and that trust had since been 're-established'.

Germany 'spied on France for American NSA'

France — Link

No official reaction from Paris over claims Angela Merkel's office knew German officials were carrying out economic espionage for the US.

France and Germany show new unity

International — Link

Shared sorrow over Germanwings plane crash has brought two countries closer together, as shown at inter-government meeting in Berlin.

The secret of France's baby boom

France — Link

The key, say demographic experts, is combining idea of a modern family based on gender equality with effective government policies.

France and Germany join UK in signing up to Chinese-led Asia bank

International — Link

The move to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank was a snub to the US which rebuked the UK for strengthening Chinese influence.

Romanian foreign minister voices regret over France-Germany map mistake

International — Link

Bogdan Aurescu apologised after handing his German counterpart a commemorative booklet with a map of France covered in the German flag.

Madonna attacks intolerance in France and rest of Europe

France — Link

Singer tells French radio that 'antisemitism is at an all-time high' and that continent - including France - ‘feels like Nazi Germany’.

The argument over Germany's 'colossal' WW2 debt to Greece

International

Greece has been summoned by its international creditors to present a package of spending reforms by Monday evening that must be approved before a final decision is taken on whether to give Athens a crucial four-month extension of debt bailout loans. Despite the new Greek government’s earlier concessions towards austerity measures which it initially rejected, the country’s lenders, and above all Germany, appear intent on squeezing more political blood from the radical-left administration. But beyond the struggle to obtain the immediate financial lifeline, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is in for a long haul of future negotiations. Key to these is his demand that Germany recognise its massive debt to Greece in reparations of its wartime occupation of the country, and the repayment of a loan the Nazis imposed on Greece. The potential sums of these are staggering, and have been estimated, at the least, as represnting more than 160 billion euros - before interest. The issue is not only a financial one, but also embarrasses Berlin and Brussels by raking over the generous debt-forgiveness deal offered to Germany in 1953 in the name of European reconstruction. Mediapart Brussels correspondent Ludovic Lamant and former Athens correspondent Amélie Poinssot examine the legal arguments, and the evidence, behind the Greek claim.