Germany is once again the “sick man of Europe,” according to Hans-Werner Sinn, president emeritus at the Ifo institute, and the challenges that poses, particularly in terms of the country’s energy strategy, could serve to benefit increasingly popular right-wing parties.
The “sick man of Europe” moniker has resurfaced in recent weeks as manufacturing output continues to stutter in the region’s largest economy and the country grapples with high energy prices. The label was originally used to describe the German economy in 1998 as it navigated the costly challenges of a post-reunification economy.
“It is not a short-term phenomenon,” Sinn told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick at the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy on Friday.[…]
But there are growing signs of public disenchantment in the shift to a more sustainable Europe, with a so-called “greenlash” emerging as people feel the cost impacts.
Sinn suggested there would be political ramifications as a result of the focus on sustainability.
“There is a backlash clearly … The population is now moving to the right,” Sinn said, referring to the popularity of the right-leaning Alternative for Germany party, which won a district council election for the first time in June.
“I am not moving to evaluate anything here, but … the policies which were, for ideological reasons, completely overdrawn … Pragmatism is a little bit missing in current policy,” he added.
They just need more windmills and solar panels to make everything work.
Don’t quit now!
It’s the population’s fault; they juist need more disciplining.
I remember when the German UN Delegates smuggly laughed at Trump when he warned them about their Russia gas deal.
I wonder if that smug look is gone yet.
‘Real War has yet to be Started’…Where is the ‘Advanced Weapons’ created and still yet to be deployed or discussed of deployment?
https://www.algora.com/Algora_blog/2023/09/04/agenda-2030-conundrum
Our ‘Fake Pandemic’ is also included in this interesting article to peruse your eyeballs.
Thank you for posting this – I have long been a student of history and I agree with the author.
Even though I am a conservative, I DO agree with those on the Left that there are too many people. It takes at least 3 generations (60 years) for the population to be reduced without immigration. Sadly, the developing countries of Africa and the second world of Asia have not received that memo yet. And because of that there will be another major war over the fight for declining resources.
But as I have long noted from reading history, just when you think the world is going to “zig”, the world goes “zag” and there is a new technology which helps people.
We definitely live in interesting times.
Windmills and solar panels are not sustainable.
I am sure these economic problems are isolated to Germany only,
“Exports to China decreased by 5.9% to 8.2 billion euros in June month-on-month.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/24/germany-is-struggling-to-move-away-from-its-sick-man-of-europe-image.html
Obviously written by a leftist. They simply do not recognize reality and that a shift towards sane policies as a benefit to everyone else (away from their control of power). Hence they label such things as going “Nazi” with complete obliviousness to the fact that centralized control and policy top down is what “Nazi” stands for. The left are the “Nazi” and the people suffering are moving towards freedom and sanity, away from such idiotic damaging policies, are normal. Hope the trend catches on all across EU land and the U.S.A. too.
BMW, Volkswagon, Mercedes – all having trouble competing on price on EVs with China. Shocked, I am. There’s only so many African princes, and they probably want to stick with their gas powered mercs.
maybe reunification with east germany wasnt such a good idea. things seem to have gone down hill with merkel.
“Pragmatism is a little bit missing in current policy”
Love it.
Understatement of the year.
The Germans deserve this. They voted for the antinuclear, antidevelopment policy which is killing their economy today. Yuri Andropov played them completely back in the ’70s and now, long after the USSR collapsed, it’s coming home to roost.
Germans have a history of making very bad voting choices. They made another poor choice 90 years ago, and the result was most of their country turned into burning rubble.
Is the left admitting conservatism = pragmatism? Because it does. Duh.
So are they demeaning pragmatism? as too logical? Too practical?
Volks always want the government to Do Something.
Well they have.
Expect them to double down while the media cheers for more.
I will as well.
Stupid krauts.
A bit of political trivia: the AfD is not right wing. They are anti-immigration. Aside from immigration, they believe in all the socialist claptrap that the other German parties do.
Well as we all know, anything that is not Marxism is considered “right wing” these days. That’s how the Borg “thinks”.
Coming to a Canada near you…..
Watch your 6, Poland.
Germans (living in Germany) have been brainwashed into complete cucks due to their ingrained guilt for WWII. They are self flagellating.
I’ve seen articles like this before. The country is de-industrializing, big manufacturing and chemical companies moving out, the cost of energy skyrocketing. Their culture is being destroyed and people suffering. And what are the concerns of the political class? That it is moving the electorate farther right. That’s it. They are guilty of seeking different policies than the ones moving their country to destruction, and we can’t have that. Anybody cares about such things is a Nationalist. And even the Nationalists that are Socialists are far right, aren’t they?
If only one strong man would stand up for Germany then all would be well again.
I think he’s living with Elvis these days!
Too many political parties in my opinion which gives an opportunity for the lunatics to hammer forge coalitions and alliances with other parties thus giving them a chance at the helm. Greens were the “kingmakers” in the 2021 elections so as part of the deal they wanted positions in the cabinet where it matters the most to them.
Green Party member Steffi Lemke heads up the Environment portfolio. Qualifications: “Letter carrier”.
Green Party member Robert Habeck has the Climate Action folder. (Oh joy)
Qualifications: Freelance writer and a doctorate in Philosophy.
They’re in good hands.
Gee……..why would the population be moving to the right? Let’s think about this for a minute. They voted for the kooks and the policies they thought would lead Germany to be a world power. Those kooks led them to a cratered economy and a muzzie climbing up every balcony with a knife. The master race has been welcomed into the arena of FAFO. I lived in Germany for 4 years. They will never be the much yearned for world power.
If he’s the sick man, maybe he should be offered MAiD and turned back into a bunch of competing kingdoms?
Germany isn’t really doing anything different than what Trudeau wants to do. PP hasn’t made any announcements that he will change course of immigration, energy or industrial policy. We are heading down the same path Germany is, give it a few years and we’ll be there.