menu_open Columnists
Marcel Fürstenau

Marcel Fürstenau

Deutsche Welle

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Immigration: Germany seeks 'safe countries of origin'

A verdict by the European Court of Justice is set to impact Germany's policies aiming to curb irregular immigration. It will stimy plans to determine...

07.08.2025 70

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

German police expands use of Palantir surveillance software

Police and spy agencies are keen to combat criminality and terrorism with artificial intelligence. But critics say the CIA-funded Palantir...

03.08.2025 90

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

German-Afghan relations under scrutiny over deportations

The German government's policy of deporting Afghan criminals to Afghanistan relies on cooperation with the Taliban government in Kabul. The Islamists...

25.07.2025 50

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

US drone war: Berlin not absolved of all responsibility

Germany's top court has decided that the US air base in Ramstein may be used for lethal drone strikes, but that Germany also has a duty to protect.

16.07.2025 60

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany's Constitutional Court becomes political football

The Bundestag was supposed to elect three new judges to Germany's highest court. But the vote was canceled due to a dispute over one of the...

16.07.2025 60

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany slashes development aid to boost defense spending

Germany is ramping up defense spending — while cutting funds for development cooperation. Aid organizations warn of the consequences for millions of...

02.07.2025 50

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

To prioritize defense, Germany to cut development aid

Germany is ramping up defense spending — while cutting funds for development cooperation. Aid organizations warn of the consequences for millions of...

02.07.2025 50

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

To prioritize defense, Germany to cut development aid

Germany is ramping up defense spending — while cutting funds for development cooperation. Aid organizations warn of the consequences for millions of...

02.07.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany and COVID-19: What went wrong?

The German parliament is seeking to assess the political impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Health Minister Jens Spahn is under attack over the...

29.06.2025 60

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany press freedom: Ban on right-wing magazine is lifted

Judges ruled in favor of the monthly publication, citing freedom of expression protections. The decision could also have consequences for the ongoing...

26.06.2025 40

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany: Racism against Sinti and Roma increasing

A new report about antiziganism in Germany has revealed alarming figures — and criticized the media for feeding cliches. But the community is also...

24.06.2025 70

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany: Court to rule on press freedom for banned magazine

The right-wing extremist magazine Compact was outlawed in 2024, but it's available on newsstands again after winning an appeal. Now, Germany's Federal...

12.06.2025 60

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

German activist Maja T. goes on hunger strike in Hungary

German anti-fascist activist Maja T. has been held in isolation in a Hungarian prison for one year now. The case highlights the state of the rule of...

07.06.2025 50

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Can Germany withstand massive cyberattacks?

No internet, no electricity, no water — cyber attacks on state agencies, hospitals, or power plants can endanger lives or bring everyday operations...

24.05.2025 50

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany: Report slams Merz's immigration policies

A new report on global migration appeals to Germany's new government to reconsider restrictive immigration policies, such as border controls and...

21.05.2025 40

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany's socialist Left Party is flying high

Shortly after the new government has taken office, the smallest opposition party in the Bundestag is taking stock of its recent success at a party...

10.05.2025 50

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Sachsenhausen concentration camp: Nazi terror near Berlin

The Sachsenhausen concentration camp was liberated on April 22, 1945. Even now, the descendants of the victims are stepping up and adopting very...

22.04.2025 40

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

COVID-19: Five years since Germany went into lockdown

Five years ago, strict measures were introduced in Germany to contain the spread of COVID-19. Almost all stores, businesses, and schools were closed....

23.03.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Exhibition examines fight for equality in divided Germany

"Women in Divided Germany" is the title of an exhibition 35 years after reunification. It sheds light on the realities of life for women in...

09.03.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany: Conservatives scrutinize state support for NGOs

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc questions the political neutrality of some non-governmental organizations. That could weigh on relations with the...

04.03.2025 20

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany's conservatives scrutinize state support for NGOs

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc questions the political neutrality of some non-governmental organizations. That could weigh on relations with the...

04.03.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany: Conservatives scrutinize state support for NGOs

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc is questioning the political neutrality of some NGOs. That could weigh on relations with its potential Social...

03.03.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Left Party makes comeback in German election

Germany's socialist Left Party has managed to get reelected into the Bundestag, with a historically high result. This comes after a successful...

25.02.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

German election: Churches go political amid social divisions

The main churches in Germany have voiced clear political opinions ahead of elections. Not all are pleased, including parties with...

17.02.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany's lessons from Afghanistan: Bundestag takes stock

The German parliament wants to know why the 20-year Bundeswehr mission in Afghanistan was a failure, and what lessons could be learned for other...

31.01.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany's lessons from Afghanistan: Bundestag takes stock

The German parliament wants to know why the 20-year Bundeswehr mission in Afghanistan was a failure, and what lessons could be learned for other...

31.01.2025 8

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Left Party gains confidence as German election nears

With rising poll numbers and renewed purpose, the socialist Left Party presented a united front at its convention this weekend. But will it be enough...

21.01.2025 9

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Left Party gains confidence as German election nears

With rising poll numbers and renewed purpose, the socialist Left Party presented a united front at its convention this weekend. But will it be enough...

20.01.2025 40

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

German election will be test for Sahra Wagenknecht and BSW

The former parliamentary leader of the Left party is seeking to enter the Bundestag with her BSW. But the party will need to make inroads in the...

17.01.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Stasi secret police, 35 years on: 'My file is mine'

On January 15, 1990, East Germany's secret police headquarters was stormed, after civil disobedience actions for months beforehand paved the way. That...

16.01.2025 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Are tough migration rules proposed by Bavaria's CSU legal?

The conservative Christian Social Union in Bavaria says it will only accept migrants who pay their own way. Experts see their policy proposals as...

05.01.2025 8

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Who is Germany's far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel?

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany wants the party's provocative frontwoman to be its candidate for chancellor. Weidel, however, is seen...

08.12.2024 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Merkel addresses Bundestag Afghanistan inquiry

Angela Merkel was chancellor when Germany pulled the Bundeswehr out of Afghanistan and the Taliban conquered Kabul in 2021. She was the last...

05.12.2024 20

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Angela Merkel to testify on Germany's pullout of Afghanistan

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in charge when the Taliban conquered Kabul in 2021. She is the last witness to testify before a...

04.12.2024 10

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau

Germany: How three old men hope to save the Left Party

The Left Party has dramatically lost voter support, but for the general election in February, a trio of seniors is coming to the rescue — banking on...

21.11.2024 6

Deutsche Welle

Marcel Fürstenau