Germany Faces Economic and Political Crises as Pillar of Stability Slips
-
Germany, once a pillar of economic and political stability in Europe, is now facing its own crises - economically it is teetering on the brink of recession, while politically the government is extremely unpopular.
-
Protests are erupting across sectors, from farmers to transportation workers, fueled by soaring living costs, low wages, and precarious working conditions.
-
The protests signify the collapse of the German economic model, which relied on cheap Russian energy imports and high foreign demand to drive growth. But austerity policies have compounded Germany's problems.
-
Germany is also facing an existential crisis as its national identity as an economic and geopolitical power slips away post-Merkel and its "Exportnationalismus" beliefs fade.
-
Right-wing populist parties like AfD are capitalizing on economic frustrations and anti-establishment sentiment. Calls to ban AfD could push Germany towards civic violence.