MIRKO KNOCHE looks at the full impact of the economic downturn.

GERMAN Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats and the opposition Christian Democrats opened contacts with potential coalition partners yesterday.

IN FOCUS: MIRKO KNOCHE takes an in-depth look at the ongoing transformation of Germany's left-wing political scene.

MIRKO KNOCHE reports on growing opposition to the German government's low wage 'forced labour' scheme.