Merkel must curb German complacency

Merkel must curb German complacency

Germany's economic problems are becoming more pronounced. Chris Bailey, European strategist at Raymond James, asks if Angela Merkel, who is about to start her tenth year as Chancellor, can help

A few weeks ago an unusual story made the front page of one of the world’s leading business newspapers. Under the headline of ‘German business attacks complacent Berlin’, the chief executive of Germany’s largest chemical company made his feelings clear about both the country’s economy, and its ruling political class. He observed that “right now is really a kind of overconfidence in Germany, and with that comes a little bit of complacency”. Powerful politicians At a certain level, leading German politicians and business leaders have every right to feel confident. During the trials and ...