Coffee And Corporatism: "Made For Germany"

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent economic summit with German executives is criticized as a PR stunt lacking substantial outcomes. The event, featuring a €631 billion investment pledge, is seen as a desperate attempt to project optimism amidst economic decline. This approach is contrasted with Donald Trump's foreign policy, which prioritizes securing concrete investments for the US economy. Germany, conversely, is experiencing significant net foreign direct investment outflows, with much capital likely flowing to the US. Merz's tours are characterized as detached from economic reality, ignoring rising unemployment, stagnant productivity, and the erosion of industrial structures. The government's focus is perceived as being on climate policies at the expense of rational economic thinking. The current government strategy primarily involves plugging budget holes with new taxes and debt while engaging in media campaigns to mask failures. Core German industries like mechanical engineering and construction are in depression, with production declines and falling sales in the hospitality sector contributing to a catastrophic economic situation. Households are struggling with collapsing purchasing power due to inflation. Instead of addressing causes like high energy costs and overregulation, the government is implementing superficial measures such as a minor reduction in air travel tax. The article also touches upon alleged censorship and sabotage in media events, specifically referencing an interview with Alice Weidel, as indicative of a "left-statist war" against dissenting opinions. This is framed within a broader trend of a "green-socialist illusion" requiring increased state control and media influence. Germany's economic model is described as shifting towards socialism, with increased state GDP share, regulation, and nationalization, particularly in the energy sector. The author concludes that Merz's meeting with CEOs highlights a corporatist relationship benefiting big business at the taxpayer's expense.