Will Germany's planned citizenship reforms fail, and what are the best Christmas markets?

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Imogen Goodman as well as citizenship lawyer Julie Schäfer.

We start things off by talking about the German tradition of Nikolaustag and Krampus.

We then talk about the results of an InterNations survey that ranked Frankfurt second worst for expats out of 50 global cities.

• Frankfurt ranked 'second worst city for expats' in new international survey

Next, we discuss a new German word invented by the New York Times that Germans weren't previously aware of (but it could catch on).

We talk about a turbulent week that's seen Germany's planned citizenship laws come under fire from the opposition - as well as within the coalition government. Imogen gives analysis on why this is happening now, and how it will impact the proposals.

• Why are Germany's planned citizenship reforms coming under fire?
• EXPLAINED: Could Germany’s conservatives block dual citizenship?
• 'Dangerous and wrong': German MPs clash over citizenship plans

Plus we hear from expert Julie Schäfer, who works as a citizenship lawyer in the German city of Düsseldorf, and is a dual French-German citizen.

• Germany to ease citizenship rules for children of foreign parents

Lastly, we get into a few Christmas markets around Germany that are well worth checking out.

• Eight of the quirkiest Christmas markets in Germany
• Seven unmissable Christmas markets that open this week in Germany

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