When Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister, Christian Lindner last month, Germany’s ‘traffic light’ government collapsed, an uneasy coalition between parties with differing perspectives and strained relations, the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats. At the heart of the political dispute lie deeply opposing views about spending plans, and how to fund much needed investment in infrastructure projects such as transport, education, green energy and digital technology, in order to boost Germany’s international competitiveness. Falling demand both domestically and overseas for manufacturing goods, the pandemic, war in Ukraine and high energy costs have weakened Germany’s economy. So how can Germany reinvigorate its exports and economic growth? On this episode of The Inquiry, we’re asking: Does Germany need to reinvent itself? Contributors Michaela Kuefner, Chief Political Editor, DW Deutsche Welle. Marcel Fratzscher, President, German Institute for Economic Research & Professor of Macroeconomics, Humboldt University. Julian Hinz, Professor of International Economics, Bielefeld University & Director, Trade Policy Research Group, Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Monika Schnitzer of Economics & Chairwoman of the German Council of Economic Experts. Presenter: Tanya Beckett Production: Diane Richardson and Matt Toulson Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Technical Producer: Matthew Dempsey Editor: Tara McDermott
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.
If Hitler isn't defeated, it's the end of the Free World.
Purple Heart warriors Listen now by searching for dramas wherever you get your BBC podcasts SUV Van Ford New Teidel options on Deck J Puma Nu in the showroom of Machen Tate via Fort Point.
Welcome to the Inquiry with me Tanya Beckett on the BBC World Service.
One question, four expert witnesses and an answer.
Europe has been weathering extreme upheaval of late.
Political instability in France, struggles with mig an ailing economy.
But at the start of November, uncertainty took a particularly perilous step into its very foundations when Germany's Chancellor Olaf Schultz sacked his finance minister, prompting the collapse of the country's government in Berlin.
Too often, too often, Federal Minister Lindner has blocked laws and an irrelevant manner.
Too often he has engaged in petty party political tactics.
Too often he has broken my trust.
Germany's three way coalition between the left of centre, Social Democrats, Green Party and Free Democratic Party had struggled almost since its inception in 2021 with infighting and dwindling popularity.
But the final war of words was especially bitter.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz accused the Free Democrat leader Christian Lindner of being small minded and egotistical, whilst Lindner accused Scholz of trivializing the concerns of ordinary Germans.
Fresh elections are scheduled for February 2025.
But at the heart of Germany's political impasse lies a problem with no clear political solution.
Having relied on cheap energy and high value exports for decades, the country's economy must now move into a very different future.
This week on the Inquiry we're Does Germany need to reinvent itself?
Part 1 Falling Apart I'm Michaela Kufner, I'm the chief political editor of DW Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster.
In 2021, Germany found itself at the end of a prolonged period of economic and political instability.