Rachel Loxton
@rachloxton.bsky.social
Here for the good chat. Award-winning journo. Former Local Germany editor & host/producer Germany in Focus podcast. From Aberdeen, previously worked in Glasgow. Now in Berlin 🏖️ Substack newsletter: https://rachloxton.substack.com TikTok: @rachloxton
Weighing into the 'Stadtbild' debate gripping Germany. Basically: can we (esp Merz) not be racist and instead focus on solutions to problems? www.thelocal.de/20251021/opi...
OPINION: Merz's divisive comments are a distraction from real problems in Germany
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under fire for doubling down on what many see as racist remarks on diversity in cities. Rather than addressing underlying social issues, Merz risks sowing div...
www.thelocal.de
October 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Weighing into the 'Stadtbild' debate gripping Germany. Basically: can we (esp Merz) not be racist and instead focus on solutions to problems? www.thelocal.de/20251021/opi...
Wow, I love living in Germany. I keep telling myself that. Even as the KSK (a social security cooperative for freelance artists, writers etc) tells me there is not even proof that I'm a journalist. Even after I sent them articles, links to website & employment history ALL BY POST. Love it here! 🫠
September 29, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Wow, I love living in Germany. I keep telling myself that. Even as the KSK (a social security cooperative for freelance artists, writers etc) tells me there is not even proof that I'm a journalist. Even after I sent them articles, links to website & employment history ALL BY POST. Love it here! 🫠
Sometimes you just have to write a whole essay about Almost Famous, journalism and being young and excited about music and the world ✨As the Cameron Crowe film turns 25, here's my love letter to Almost Famous -
rachloxton.substack.com/p/its-all-ha...
rachloxton.substack.com/p/its-all-ha...
‘It’s all happening!’ A tribute to Almost Famous, journalism and being uncool
A love letter to my favourite movie and one of the reasons I became a journalist.
rachloxton.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Sometimes you just have to write a whole essay about Almost Famous, journalism and being young and excited about music and the world ✨As the Cameron Crowe film turns 25, here's my love letter to Almost Famous -
rachloxton.substack.com/p/its-all-ha...
rachloxton.substack.com/p/its-all-ha...
Pressure is growing on Germany to follow several other countries' lead and recognise a Palestinian state. But Germany is holding back from this move. I looked into the reasons behind it and the calls for a change of policy www.thelocal.de/20250923/why...
Why Germany is holding back from recognising Palestine as a state
Pressure is growing on Germany to follow several other countries' lead and recognise a Palestinian state. But Germany is holding back from this move. Why?
www.thelocal.de
September 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Pressure is growing on Germany to follow several other countries' lead and recognise a Palestinian state. But Germany is holding back from this move. I looked into the reasons behind it and the calls for a change of policy www.thelocal.de/20250923/why...
Happy Friday! I had a lot of fun writing this last week in which I call for you to ditch your wellness routine and go out rachloxton.substack.com/p/respectful...
Berlin club culture and the joy of a night out
Respectfully, you need a night out
rachloxton.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Happy Friday! I had a lot of fun writing this last week in which I call for you to ditch your wellness routine and go out rachloxton.substack.com/p/respectful...
Germany is gonna get rid of the 3-year track to citizenship. But did you know how hard it is to get it this way? I spoke to a software engineer in Berlin who made learning German & integrating her only hobby for months. Props to anyone who can get C1 German so fast! www.thelocal.de/20250825/tur...
‘Turbo German-studying’: An American in Berlin on the race to qualify for three-year citizenship
Germany is on course to abolish a fast-track path to German citizenship that requires C1 level language skills and exceptional integration. We spoke to a foreign resident in Berlin who raced to improv...
www.thelocal.de
September 10, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Germany is gonna get rid of the 3-year track to citizenship. But did you know how hard it is to get it this way? I spoke to a software engineer in Berlin who made learning German & integrating her only hobby for months. Props to anyone who can get C1 German so fast! www.thelocal.de/20250825/tur...
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
Didn't have Germany setting up a national ravioli reserve on my 2025 bingo card but here we are...
From drafting a military service law to stocking up on emergency canned food reserves, here are the latest ways Germany is getting ready for the possibility of war in the coming years.
Military service and ravioli reserves: How Germany is stepping up preparations for war
From drafting a military service law to stocking up on emergency canned food reserves, here are the latest ways Germany is getting ready for the possibility of war in the coming years.
www.thelocal.de
September 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Didn't have Germany setting up a national ravioli reserve on my 2025 bingo card but here we are...
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
Now confirmed by the Interior Ministry - people who retire to France will be systematically rejected for citizenship under a new interpretation of the rules on 'French income'.
This is a massive blow for retirees who are fully integrated into their local community and consider France their home
This is a massive blow for retirees who are fully integrated into their local community and consider France their home
Retirees with foreign pension no longer eligible for French citizenship, says Interior Ministry
The French interior ministry has confirmed to The Local a change in the rules on citizenship which means that most retirees living on a foreign pension will be refused.
www.thelocal.fr
August 20, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Now confirmed by the Interior Ministry - people who retire to France will be systematically rejected for citizenship under a new interpretation of the rules on 'French income'.
This is a massive blow for retirees who are fully integrated into their local community and consider France their home
This is a massive blow for retirees who are fully integrated into their local community and consider France their home
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
While splashing around in the Seine I had Some Thoughts on why this is so much more than just a nice bathing spot . . .
OPINION: Seine swimming is part of a quiet revolution in Paris
The three new bathing spots in the River Seine have proved popular with Paris tourists and locals alike this summer - but Emma Pearson argues that they represent much more than just a pleasant place t...
www.thelocal.fr
August 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
While splashing around in the Seine I had Some Thoughts on why this is so much more than just a nice bathing spot . . .
Excited to be freelancing again and writing for my former employer, @thelocalgermany.bsky.social. After behaving like a typical European by trying to walk loads in LA, I wrote about how much I appreciate the walkability of German cities www.thelocal.de/20250803/opi...
OPINION: German cities are designed for walking and it benefits everyone
With public transport connections, parks and wide pavements, German cities are generally designed with pedestrians in mind. It's something the US and other countries could learn from, writes journalis...
www.thelocal.de
August 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Excited to be freelancing again and writing for my former employer, @thelocalgermany.bsky.social. After behaving like a typical European by trying to walk loads in LA, I wrote about how much I appreciate the walkability of German cities www.thelocal.de/20250803/opi...
Excited to say I've recently relaunched a newsletter after several years (RIP Tinyletter). Kaffee+Kuchen is a space for me to explore creatively 🤎☕
This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here
rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...
This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here
rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...
Is Berlin still a place where creative people can thrive?
As Harry Styles (allegedly) moves to Berlin, I explore the city's reputation as a magnet for artists and if it still holds up.
rachloxton.substack.com
May 24, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Excited to say I've recently relaunched a newsletter after several years (RIP Tinyletter). Kaffee+Kuchen is a space for me to explore creatively 🤎☕
This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here
rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...
This week I wrote about Harry Styles, Berlin's creative pull and whether artists can still get by here
rachloxton.substack.com/p/is-berlin-...
Americans out in force for #Teslatakedown protest in Pasadena, CA 💥
March 30, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Americans out in force for #Teslatakedown protest in Pasadena, CA 💥
An excerpt from my wee farewell note. Yesterday was my last day as Editor at @thelocalgermany.bsky.social
It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝
It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝
March 1, 2025 at 10:11 AM
An excerpt from my wee farewell note. Yesterday was my last day as Editor at @thelocalgermany.bsky.social
It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝
It has been a real privilege to do this job and be part of this wonderful team! THANK YOU for your support. I have learned so much over the years💕📝
Germans will vote in a federal election on Sunday! Some background reading on what to expect, who can vote and what happened in the last election 📝https://www.thelocal.de/20250221/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2025-german-election
The ultimate guide to the 2025 German election
What will happen on the day, who can vote and what happens next? We round up all the key points to get you prepared for the snap election in Germany.
www.thelocal.de
February 21, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Germans will vote in a federal election on Sunday! Some background reading on what to expect, who can vote and what happened in the last election 📝https://www.thelocal.de/20250221/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2025-german-election
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.
Inside Germany: Endless strikes, election debates and shock after Munich car attack
From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.
www.thelocal.de
February 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
From public sector strikes to a tense atmosphere following the car ramming attack in Munich plus another televised election debate, here's what we're talking about at The Local Germany this week.
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
@thelocalgermany.bsky.social Although non-EU nationals can't vote in Germany's Kommunalwahl local elections (despite other EU countries allowing it) they can still vote for the "Integrationsrat' often held in parallel on same day/place e.g Sep 25 Kommunalwahl
www.stadt-koeln.de/politik-und-...
www.stadt-koeln.de/politik-und-...
Integrationsratswahl
Informationen zur Wahl 2025 und zu vergangenen Wahlen
www.stadt-koeln.de
February 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
Inside Germany: Wahl-O-Mat, free beer for voting and is it the end of Abendbrot?
From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
www.thelocal.de
February 8, 2025 at 8:10 AM
From an online quiz to help you find your political party match to free beer for voting, a fake citizenship test and the shaky future of the German tradition of Abendbrot, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
Inside Germany: Historic vote in the Bundestag and hope for future of dual citizenship
From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
www.thelocal.de
February 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
From an historic 'turning point' in German politics combined with some hope for the future of dual citizenship via five years of Brexit and a 'house tiger', here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
@rachloxton.bsky.social For the upcoming Feb 23rd elex in NRW there will be 18 parties to choose from on the voting slip.
www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/...
Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:
www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/...
Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:
January 24, 2025 at 9:35 PM
@rachloxton.bsky.social For the upcoming Feb 23rd elex in NRW there will be 18 parties to choose from on the voting slip.
www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/...
Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:
www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/...
Thankfully a little simpler than the dizzying 33 options in last year's EU elex:
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.
German conservatives condemned over opening to far-right AfD
Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.
www.thelocal.de
January 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.
OPINION: Why there's no way of stopping the rise of the far-right AfD in Germany
With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.
www.thelocal.de
January 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
With a month until Germany votes in the nationwide election, Brian Melican examines the growing influence of the AfD during the campaign – and explains why, in the short term, there is no way of stopping the far-right party’s rise in the polls.
Reposted by Rachel Loxton
Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?
Which German cities have the longest waiting times for citizenship?
Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?
www.thelocal.de
January 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Many foreigners dream of getting German citizenship, but long delays and bureaucracy can stand in the way. What waiting times should people expect when applying for naturalisation in major German cities?
We looked into the rules on giving a Nazi salute in Germany after the shock from many in Germany (and beyond) over the incident with Musk. Interesting that some people seem angry over this story. But we've just reported on it, no opinions in there. Strange times. www.thelocal.de/20250121/wha...
What are the rules around showing the 'Nazi salute' in Germany?
After Elon Musk was accused of giving a fascist salute at an event celebrating the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, we look at the rules around the gesture in Germany.
www.thelocal.de
January 22, 2025 at 7:46 AM
We looked into the rules on giving a Nazi salute in Germany after the shock from many in Germany (and beyond) over the incident with Musk. Interesting that some people seem angry over this story. But we've just reported on it, no opinions in there. Strange times. www.thelocal.de/20250121/wha...
A Friday story for us all from Bavaria! www.thelocal.de/20250117/i-l...
'I love W*nk': German ski resort's ad campaign banned at world cup
A Bavarian ski resort's advertising slogan that could be offensive to English speakers - but is based on the name of a German mountain - has been banned at the upcoming skiing World Cup.
www.thelocal.de
January 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A Friday story for us all from Bavaria! www.thelocal.de/20250117/i-l...
The thinking behind this story: WTF is people's problem with dual citizenship?! Why can't people accept that you can move to Germany and integrate, contribute AND still want to have close ties to home?
www.thelocal.de/20250116/ana...
www.thelocal.de/20250116/ana...
Why is dual citizenship still so controversial in Germany?
Germany's dual citizenship reform was hailed as a modern step forward by many. But conservatives - and others - can't stop talking about its problems. Rachel Loxton analyses why the reform is so contr...
www.thelocal.de
January 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The thinking behind this story: WTF is people's problem with dual citizenship?! Why can't people accept that you can move to Germany and integrate, contribute AND still want to have close ties to home?
www.thelocal.de/20250116/ana...
www.thelocal.de/20250116/ana...