Germany – Europe’s latest political problem

World View podcast: Will there be another election in Germany? What’s next for Zimbabwe?

As Brexit negotiations intensify, the failure to form a coalition in Germany has brought political instability to Europe's greatest power centre at an inopportune moment, and has led many to question whether Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold power for much longer.

But the Christian Democratic Union leader has confounded critics before, and the rival Social Democratic Party may decide it is in its interests to stave off a fresh election if it can extract a high enough political price, says Derek Scally in Berlin.

Meanwhile in Zimbabwe, long-term dictator Robert Mugabe seems certain to be forced from power sooner rather than later. But what comes next? Bill Corcoran has spent the last week in Harare.

Declan Conlon

Declan Conlon

Declan Conlon is head of audio at The Irish Times