The war in Ukraine and its repercussions, compounded by structural problems such as an ageing population and a lack of investment, spell the end of the boom

The change in the geopolitical order, disrupted by the invasion of Ukraine, has exposed the weaknesses of the German economic model. The German model, points out Wolfgang Münchau in one of his analyses for Eurointelligence, hinges on three ingredients: cost competitiveness, technological leadership in its industry and geopolitical stability, and ‘all of them are gone,’ he adds. On the one hand, the cut-off of Russian gas — which accounted for more than 50% of the gas consumed in Germany — has impacted the electro-intensive industry, forcing businesses like the chemical company Lanxess to restructure their business and close plants.

  • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
    ·
    1 year ago

    It's almost as if cutting yourself off from your biggest energy supplier while needlessly antagonizing one of your biggest customers at the same time has bad consequences.

    Too bad you can't eat smug moral superiority or heat your home with European Values.

    • No_Money_Just_Change@lemmy.ml
      ·
      1 year ago

      I can't for the love of me, understand how people think:

      "would you still try to stop a madman aiming to conquer half your continient with an army of rappists and warcriminals if there is a small chance you will be cold?"

      is a valid argument

      • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
        ·
        1 year ago

        Oh come now.

        Biden isn't trying to conquer half of Europe. He clearly wants all of it.

        • No_Money_Just_Change@lemmy.ml
          ·
          1 year ago

          They have said they will move their borders in polish territory if their security demands it.

          This then off course depends on what russia defines as a security risk.

              • zephyreks [none/use name]
                ·
                1 year ago

                “That is why it is so important to achieve all the goals of the special military operation. To push back the borders that threaten our country as far as possible, even if [this is to] are the borders of Poland,” said Medvedev.

                English translation isn't doing him any favours. He's saying he wants to push to the Polish border, not across it.