Berlin is expressing doubt about the European Union’s ability to withstand the rise of nationalist parties and the pressure from the Trump administration. This unprecedented skepticism in Germany has raised fears of lasting weakening, or even the gradual marginalization, of Europe as it exists today.
If Merz could work on getting the economy started instead of parroting AfD shit, i would be so happy
For that he’d need at least a concept of a plan for what to do. Bout that’s not what he or his party are know for.
Aren’t they just neo liberals, you know - like the Democrats?
Yes they are. Get the market to do their job. Act surprised when it doesn’t.
Almost all German political parties are.
Which is the direct cause for the German infrastructure being so broken, because that’s what happens to a country that’s under continuous neoliberal rule for 4 decades or so.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-economy-rose-02-2025-2026-01-15/
It’s not hugely impressive but after 2 years of decline, the economy rising by 0.2% in 2025 is a noticeable improvement.
Actually he is in an easy position to boost the economy. He has 500 billion Euro to basically spend as he sees fit. That would boost the economy. But unfortunately he uses the money to lint the pockets of his peers and the meager rest flows into industry from the early 20th century.
He could use those 500 billion to transition to renewable energy and fix the infrastructure and give tax breaks to the lower income bracket and - just like that - the economy would soar.
But nooo, we cannot have that. Stop the transition, buy gas and oil from dictators and give tax breaks to business owners who just stack the money instead of investing it. Because the investment environment is unstable as hell, because Merz and friends don’t know where they want to go ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And thus, we’re stuck at 0.2% growth.
The previous comment said “work on getting the economy started”. I’m saying from a declining economy to a growing economy is making a start. In the face of tariffs from the US hurting exports I’d say it’s not the worst start either.
If you are expecting a full turn around in a year and saying anything less is a failure, I think you need to adjust your expectations.
Edit: as an addition from the article
You can have an issue with his policy, all I’m saying is that from an economic perspective, it seems to be an improvement.
I expect recipes which work. If your export oriented economy is hurt by the geopolitical landscape you need to strengthen your domecstic demand. They’re doing nothing of that sort. That is what I am complainig about.
So the economy is up, deficit is down, but it’s not being done in the way you want, so it’s bad?
I really can’t see your point.
My point: if you deny, in times of crisis, the needed funds to your previous government, they subsequently grant it to you, and you manage to only get a 0.2% growth, when you would have the means of around 10% GDP at your disposal…you’re doing it badly, yes.
And we’re discussing all of that in the context of rising fascism…you need to be faster in letting the voters feel something.
Can I take this back to the start.
Comment 1 says the economy is bad.
I said, it has actually grown in 2025 for the first time in 3 years. Then linked a source.
I feel Ike you are moving the goal posts to make a point when all I did was contradict someone and give a source.
OP said in order to combat fascism we would need to get the economy started. We are talking about like a Marshall Plan, a New Deal kind of story, where large parts of the people feel the difference.
You tell me, that after shrinking, the 0.2% is a start. That is not the momentum we would need, that people can feel. It is better than a shrinking economy, yes. But in the same way that drinking piss is better than eating shit.
And that IS, and here’s my point again, that Merz actually has the means for a huge kickstart. He’s not seizing the opportunity.
If I remember correctly the 500 billion loan is packaged in a way that it doesn’t count towards the official deficit number, so this is pure smoke and mirrors.
“The economy” doesn’t rise at all. It’s just the BIP, probably the worst possible single number to measure the functioning of an economy, especially in circumstances of growing inequality.
The comment was that the economy needs to improve, and according to Reuters, it has.
If you know if another method of showing the health of a countries finances and can show it hasn’t improved I would be happy to read about it.