[jijijijij]

As a German citizen let me tell you, the rate of decline this country is in is truly shocking. This is by far the worst government in my lifetime, and remarkably there is wide consensus about it across the population (above 85% dissatisfaction, if you think I am exaggerating here).

Industry and trade associations aren't happy either, which raises the question who asks for this? Life is getting forcefully precarious for a lot of people: Reduction of labor rights; stigmatization of unemployment, down to calls for forced labor; inflation; heavy increase in taxes; unaffordable housing... Mind you, none of that is economically necessary (e.g. we could prosecute tax evasion and tax the rich to begin with). All while transparency and democratic institutions are needlessly eroded.

And then there is the real threat of a next AfD (fascists oligarchy party) government looming above all. It's like CDU/SPD are preparing for a authoritarian take-over. Incidentally, there are documented connections between CDU leaders and foreign think tanks like The Heritage Foundation. Not to mention the constant endorsement and promotion of the AfD by Musk and Vance.

It's fucking wild and scary. I honestly fear, Germany is past the point of no return. I think we got moderately lucky Trump decided to outdo himself with Iran, and then the recent record heat wave, which felt downright apocalyptic. The theoretical negative consequences of some policies became immediately very tangible and undeniable. But I am not sure that's enough to shake up people. The opposition is somewhat complicit by not stepping up and presenting a vision towards democracy, equality and reason.

[throwaway_20357]

It's the continuation of a process that is going on for 25-30 years. As others have noted, Germany's industrial base is eroding due to high energy costs and Chinese competition. Its political decisions over the last two decades have been questionable, accelerating the decline and any true reform is unlikely to get a majority in the current gerontocratic society. There is no need to attribute this to malice, I think it can adequately be explained by incompetence.

[jijijijij]

Merkel era was "incompetence"/inaction, Merz is pure malice. Remember when he did the McDonalds ad during his campaign and then the first thing after being elected was the gastronomy tax reduction which heavily favored, you guessed it, McDonalds? Sorry, wasn't actually the first thing. The first thing was breaking his campaign promise of honoring Schuldenbremse, after using the Schuldenbremse to explode the former government. He then took future Germany's money to pay his fastfood bros. If that's not malice, what is? Well, I would actually call it treason. And let's not start with Reiche and Spahn talking malice.

I would also reject the notion China "happened" to Germany, or energy costs were rising due to moral panics regarding nuclear power.

Germany once was leader in renewable energy tech, both solar and wind. Corruption and lobby driven politics intentionally abandoned that edge and caused an inefficient energy market, which is a main factor in energy costs. Of course our exceptionally productive and capable Mittelstand is not considered "German industry", only a few old-money corporations are. Your are saying the decline happened over 30 years, but the last nuclear power plat was only shut down 2023. And Germany's naive dependence on Russian gas was one of the main causal factors for the Ukraine war and all the expenses it caused. There absolutely was a cheaper, sustainable path intentionally not taken.

The same is true for our industry. It's corruption/lobbyism, arrogance and inaction, in face of slowly emerging Chinese "competition", which caused the downfall. It's not like politics/industry tried their best and failed. They tried nothing. On the contrary, they enforced the status quo over innovation and now when their power play failed they got nothing to offer. The reason BMW isn't the leader in electric cars is because at some point management decided to scrape the successful program, because "muh ICE so technology!". VW never even tried, but rather went all-in on lobbying to future-proof their business. Let's raise taxes for the bail-out.

And then of course the establishment owned media helped too, preventing necessary adaptations: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221462962...

Corruption, arrogance and inaction caused the German downfall.

[dudefeliciano]

> which raises the question who asks for this?

Probably the 5000 ultra-rich who own 27% of Germanys wealth. CDU/CSU and even AfD is great news for them.

https://www.euronews.com/business/2026/05/27/5000-ultra-rich...

[snowpid]

Sorry this is more an effect of your social media consumption .

I don't deny the problem the country is facing but your doom is multiplied by social media.

Touch some grass, maybe pay for traditional media and you get a view of the trade offs the government is facing. It doesnt mean you have to agree with the choice but you know...

" Industry and trade associations aren't happy either, which raises the question who asks for this? " A comprise is good if everyone involved is unhappy.

" As a German citizen let me tell you, the rate of decline this country is in is truly shocking. " Just let you know. Most AfD members share your sentiment. Maybe you should qquestion this feeling.

[jijijijij]

Buddy, I am just on HN and FetLife. Maybe get rid of your own delusions before judging strangers on their imagined social media bias.

> Most AfD members share your sentiment. Maybe you should qquestion this feeling.

I heard they also drink water. Lot's to think about.

[snowpid]

How do you know about German news if you don't read in social media? Maybe judge your media consumption. Your thinking is very emotional and very close to Afd members.

Some kinky members are lost anyway politically.

[inigyou]

One couldn't possibly learn German news from German news. You have to learn it from social media instead.

[wartywhoa23]

> This is by far the worst government in my lifetime

I guess we all can safely conclude that all governments of the word (world's government? shoot that tinfoilhat), at least those who have any meaningful means of destruction at hand, are the worst not only in our, but also our parents' lifetimes (assuming the mean age of HN commenters as 30-40).

TL;DR: The fascism is back.

[jijijijij]

I think especially in the US it presents as fascism, and the AfD clearly models itself to their image, but fundamentally I think it's globally rather an anti-democratic, social-darwinistic oligarchy. Nothing in current German politics could be described as "ultra-nationalistic" or pushing a personality cult, but rather as semi-opaque sell-out of the country. I think it presents as fascism, but it's more opportunistic and not as ideologically driven as it's been in the past.

Look, Thiel is gay, Weidel is gay, Spahn is gay and they all push anti-LGBT policies globally. They are cynic, self-absorbed, "got mine" psychopaths. They don't feel better because they are white or German, but because they got power, influence and wealth. I almost wish they were nationalists or had an honest concern for any share of the general population. Their politics wouldn't be as destructive. Instead they are building bunkers.

Some make the argument, capitalism needed democracy facing the soviet authoritarian system enemy of the past, but now this freedom and participation has become a weakness in current corporate geopolitics. China has shown, you can have "the best" of both worlds. I personally think, it's just the logical consequence of wealth centralization and inequality we allowed to happen.

The question is ultimately, what kind of culture makes a people, really. Do they deeply identify as free citizens or serfs? For example, the Russians never had a bottom up revolution or systemic change, I don't expect them to rise up no matter the suck. The US is difficult to judge, because of the racial divide and red scare brainwashing era preventing post-war revolutionary tradition found across Europe. They are still very influenced by dogma and repressed emotions. Things are pretty bad and they haven't done shit, so I am afraid they will bow to the suck.

Here in Germany, I don't know. People, grew up learning there is a time for just violence. Looking at past gigantic anti-AfD demonstrations, I am hopeful, if it has to be done, it will get done. I hope there is a large enough share of the population which will make any fundamental power change unsustainable. Right now, people are in shock and still cling to their old realities, but something is brewing already. The generational injustice helps. Then again, large parts of the population are evidently fucking idiots and senile got-mines.

[inigyou]

Germany is not fascist. It strongly supports Israel.

[Batman8675309]

Some would argue that's the same thing these days.

[u8080]

When you are leading manufacturing power in region and loosing markets to China while allowing external powers to destroy your energy supplies(banning nuclear and blowing Nord Stream 2).

No political bullshit will help with objective reality, being it rightoids who promise "optimizing" social spendings(while leaching on corruption) or leftoids who want to tax the rich(which will just drive factories and businesses to Poland/China/etc).

[Paradigma11]

The destruction of Northstream 2 had no effect at all on the energy supply to Germany. The remaining capacity to Russia was never used over 50%, if that. Considering Russia intentionally drove up prices in the months leading up to the invasion and even rented storage capacity to keep it empty to better blackmail, there never was a sane argument for keeping the gas imports from Russia going.

[u8080]

Limiting supply is limiting bargaining power, you will always end up with better deal even having worse alternative option. As a buyer you want as much supply as possible.

[Paradigma11]

You also want suppliers that are also motivated by financial self interest. Otherwise you end at:

“The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.” ― Vladimir Ilich Lenin

[inigyou]

You could end the practice of land rent. This would encourage productive activity instead of treading economic water.

[u8080]

If we end rents, who will decide which land belongs to you(Berlin downtown or Shitholeburg province)?

[inigyou]

Build enough dwellings for everyone to be able to decide