Published on
21/05/2026 - 9:03 GMT+2
Friedrich Merz recently chose the bold strategy of scolding Germany’s workforce for taking too many sick days, dismissing part-time jobs as a lazy "lifestyle choice", and even telling Germans to look to Greece to learn how to work hard.
A staggering historical plot twist from a leader whose country spent years lecturing Europe on efficiency, isn't it?
But a year ago, Merz promised a conservative pro-market renewal, but his centre-right and centre-left coalition is paralysed by internal fighting. Germany's economic recovery has completely stalled, with growth projections for 2026 halved to just 0.5%. And voters are furious over high energy costs, heavy taxes, and an upcoming €4bn cut to the public pension system.
