COUNTRY PROFILE

More than a decade after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, Germany is still waiting for the dust to settle. Now unified, it is Europe's major industrial power and the world's second-biggest exporter. There is religious freedom, but close cooperation between the government and Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Established Churches (EKD) concerning religious education, radio, TV and church taxation through state channels. Under Communism, churches fought for and won considerable freedoms, but the subtle pressures, compromises and infiltration of the leadership by the secret police have spiritually scarred many. 

OVERVIEW

The collapse of Hitler's Reich in 1945 was followed by 45 years of partition between the democratic and capitalist Federal Republic (FRG) and the Communist "Democratic" Republic (GDR). The collapse of Communism at the end of the '80s led to a rapid reunification of the two states - in reality a takeover by the West that is proving socially and economically painful to all. But former Chancellor Helmut Kohl's boast, in 1990, that the eastern region, which was blighted by communism would soon be transformed into a "blossoming landscape" proved hollow. The economy in the east is still weak and fragile, with higher unemployment than in the prosperous west. And while Germany remains acutely sensitive to racist and anti-Semitic violence as a result of its Nazi past, a newly-resurgent and violent neo-Nazi movement is especially strong in the east. Gerhard Schroeder's government, which came to power in 1998, has had a difficult time with poor results in regional elections. However, its political woes were eclipsed in January 2000 when former Chancellor Helmut Kohl was forced to resign as honorary chairman of the Christian Democrats over a party funding scandal that shook the establishment to its core. 

FACTS

Population: 82 million 
Capital: Berlin 
Major language: German 
Major religion: Christianity 
Form of government: Multiparty republic 
Monetary unit: 1 mark = 100 pfennig; euro 
Main exports: Motor vehicles, electrical machinery, metals 
Internet domain: .de 
Time zone: GMT+1
International dialing code: +49 

LEADERS


President:
Johannes Rau 

Chancellor: Gerhard Schroeder

In September 1998 Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democratic Party (SPD) election victory brought to an end the 16-year chancellorship of conservative Helmut Kohl. Schroeder became active in the SPD early in his career as a lawyer. He was first elected to Germany's lower house of parliament in 1980. Political analysts have noted how his "Neue Mitte" or New Centre ideas correspond to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's "Third Way". But Britain's indecision on the "euro" has not made Blair an ideal partner - leaving Schroeder looking to France in the quest for European harmony. Foreign Minister: Joschka Fischer; Interior Minister: Otto Schily; Finance Minister: Hans Eichel. 

MEDIA

A few large conglomerates control most of Germany's media outlets. Each of the country's 16 regions has its own legislation covering private and public broadcasting. While the press and broadcasters are free and independent, the display of swastikas and statements endorsing Nazism are illegal. Nearly all of German households can receive the public channels ARD and ZDF, but there has been stiff private competition via satellite and cable. Although there are several national newspapers, the press market is strongest at a regional level. 

     The Press
     Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Sueddeutsche Zeitung Die Welt Der Spiegel Die Zeit 

     Television
     ARD ZDF N-TV N24 RTL 

     Radio
     ARD Deutsche Welle Deutschland Radio ZDF-MSNBC 

     News Agency
     DPA 

OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY

• Theological institutions proclaim non-biblical ideologies more so than the Truth
• Rise of Nazism in many parts of the east

SPIRITUAL POWER POINTS

• Government's role in the European Union
• Continual unification of church denominations

Special thanks to Patrick Johnstone's, "Operation World" publisher, ISBN# 0-310-40031-7; and country profiles by BBC