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Full episode 12.03.10 | 00:30 - 01:00 UTC

People and Politics - The Political Magazine

Full episode

People and Politics - The Political Magazine

Topic

Topic

Topic

Seldom has a government been as unpopular among the public in Germany as the current one. Polls show Germans are deeply disappointed in their current coalition government. Chancellor Angela Merkel is still playing the moderate while Foreign Minister and leader of the Free Democrats Party Guido Westwelle continues to find himself at the center of controversy.

Other themes this week: Was nothing learned from the financial crisis? Has Germany's mission in Afghanistan failed? And: the Pirate Party is searching for a political agenda.

Topics

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is supposed to be leading Germany's diplomatic efforts abroad, but instead, he's embroiled in controversy at home. His comments on Germany's welfare system have polarized the public. Chancellor Merkel was forced to publicly reprimand him, further straining an already tense relationship. Westerwelle and Merkel have disagreed on major themes, like healthcare reform. It was supposed to be a harmonious relationship, a dreamteam leading the country. But those expectations are long gone, and the coalition government's approval ratings are in the gutter.

While politicians are demanding stricter regulation for the financial markets, banks are targeting high profit yields and once again doling out millions in bonuses for executives. What happened to the efforts to set the financial world straight? Several politicians have called on financial institutions to abide by a strict set of rules. But renowned economist Max Otte doesn't believe politicians will actually push reform through. He says the bank lobbys are too powerful, and the next major financial crash is in the works again.

The pirate party wants to grow: they're preparing a party platform ahead of elections in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia. Their major focus is Internet freedom, and that makes them especially attractive to young, independent voters. The party is already seeing signs of success: it grew from 1,000 members to 12,000 last year. We take a look behind the scenes at a young party that now shares the stage with some of Germany's biggest political parties. But not everything is as easy as it seems.

Germany is campaigning for a free and democratic Afghanistan. Securing that goal involves building and rebuilding the country's justice and legal systems. Germany decided back in 2003 it would invest in strengthening human rights in Afghanistan and training judges and district attorneys. But it's becoming increasingly clear that the three-month long crash courses are simply not enough. Sharia and vigilante law are still common practice in parts of Afghanistan. The task of creating a solid legal system remains an uphill battle.

Should governments try to break the power of the banks?

Should governments try to break the power of the banks?