Then there’s “very critical.”
Then there’s Germany critical.
Merz issues business SOS in letter to allies – Chancellor Merz has told coalition politicians the situation in several key German businesses is “very critical.” He said the government must prioritize improving areas like energy and labor costs in 2026.
That means bankruptcy.
German business bankruptcies hit decade high amid downturn – Business bankruptcies have climbed to an 11-year high, with small firms hardest hit by Germany’s anemic growth. Economists warn of job losses but see tentative signs that the insolvency wave may be leveling off.
Don’t worry, in other words. Once everybody has gone bankrupt the bankruptcies will stop.
Despite economic clouds?
Depends on who you ask. And how you look at it. My experience has been that Germans are the happiest when they’re the gloomiest.
Germans Feel a Little Less Gloomy Despite Economic Clouds – The pickup in consumer mood contrasts with a worsening outlook among German business.
In Germany.
What’s not to like? This isn’t rocket science for businesses here. For businesses that are still here, I should say.
Germany’s biggest sports retailer considers moving production to China – Intersport eyes spare Chinese manufacturing capacity as Nike and Adidas back away from the country amid trade war.
One of the world’s largest sporting goods retailers is considering shifting production to China, just as brands including Nike and Adidas move production out of the country in response to US tariffs.
For limited intelligence, maybe.
Want a limited edition artwork tattooed on your skin? Berlin is the place to go – The city’s tattoo studios are booming while the art world flounders. Under a new initiative, buyers receive exclusive rights to an artist’s new design, and the artist receives 50% of the profit
To go to Brussels.
Who would want anything to do with the European Parliament industrial complex if could be avoided?
Off the rails: Night train from Berlin to Brussels will stop running at the end of March – Passengers can still travel between Berlin and Brussels on an overnight train using the European Sleeper.
European Sleeper is also a much more appropriate name, I find.
I wonder why.
It costs over four thousand euros for a commercial aircraft to leave a German airport. In other European countries it costs as little as 500 euros. Some say this has to do with German regulation and “green kerosene” madness but I’m sure there must be a more… reasonable explanation.
Lufthansa CEO concerned more airlines will cut German routes – After airlines such as Eurowings and Ryanair have cut back their connections in Germany due to excessive fees and costs, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr fears a negative impact on Germany as a place to do business.
Why should Germans worry about that?
Vater Staat (Father State) has everything under control. Wie immer (as usual).
Germans fear rising cost of living – Inflation, migration, expensive housing — these are the things that most people in Germany are worried about, according to the latest study “Germans’ Fears 2024.”
Just say no. When not in doubt, sowieso (anyhow).
“Expansion” is a scary word. It sounds too much like growth, increase, prosperity, success. We vote no! Because you can never know, unless it’s no.
Tesla in Germany: Locals vote against factory expansion plan – Residents of Grünheide near Berlin have voted against expansion plans for the large Tesla facility there. But the vote is not binding and local authorities can still decide. Turnout was high, though, indicating interest.
Especially one that was supposed to have dried up long ago.
Just this summer it was all over with the Rhine, I was told. But hey. The Climate Crises can be like that. One climate crisis is too dry. The next one is two wet. It’s kind of like the weather, you know?
River Rhine in south Germany remains closed to shipping – Parts of the river Rhine in south Germany remained closed to shipping on Friday after heavy rain and melting snow increased water levels, but could reopen later this weekend, navigation authorities said.
Observing Hermann 