Tag Archives: EU

German Consumers Are An Odd Lot

June 6, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Heconomy Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

They have this annoying tendency to not spend money they don’t have.

It has to do with something they call “debt.” Whatever that is.

Analysis: Spend the recession away? Not the thrifty Germans – A drop-off in spending by inflation-hit consumers was one of the main reasons Germany fell into recession in the first quarter, even as other countries in the region managed to avoid it.

What’s more, even with inflation starting to ease across Europe, the signs are that Germany’s famously thrifty shoppers are not ready to spend their way out of recession – meaning the region’s largest economy will have to look elsewhere for growth.

If She’s Supposed To Do Damage Control…

April 13, 2023 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Then it’s time to abandon ship.

Greens don’t control damage. They create damage that goes out of control.

Germany foreign minister embarks on post-Macron ‘damage control’ in China trip – Germany’s foreign minister begins a visit to China on Thursday aiming to reassert a common European Union policy toward Beijing days after remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron suggested disarray in the continent’s approach to the rising superpower.

“She was sort of perceived as being a troublemaker. I’d be surprised if this does not play a role at all in her visit.”

German Of The Day: Blockadepolitik

March 12, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

That means “blockade politics” or conducting a policy of obstruction.

Geez. The EU is getting really frustrated with Germany these days because it still acts as if it were a sovereign country from time to time.

Germany Is Becoming a Roadblock for More and More EU Business – Row over combustion-engine ban symptomatic of wider problem, Conduct seen as especially unhelpful during period of upheaval.

The unpredictable behavior of Germany’s ruling coalition is becoming a disruptive influence in Europe and raising hackles across the continent.

A last-ditch move this month to block a European Union push to phase out combustion-engine vehicles was only the latest example. On issues ranging from financial aid for Ukraine to reform of state-aid and budget rules, Germany’s EU partners and officials in Brussels have become increasingly frustrated with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center—left alliance of his Social Democrats, the Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats.

“Illegal Border Crossings?”

March 9, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Into the EU? Even though nobody in the EU dares refer to illegal border crossings as illegal border crossings?

EU got to love it, Europeans. You have no choice. It’s not like anybody is asking for your approval or permission.

German cities struggling with winter influx of migrants from the Western Balkans – This winter, cities in Germany faced yet another influx of refugees but this time it was not Ukrainians fleeing war but people from Western Balkan countries seeking to escape their countries’ harsh winters and poor social living conditions.

The Western Balkan route was, in 2022, the most used for illegal border crossings into the EU, according to the bloc’s external border agency. Frontex recorded 145,600 illegal crossings through the Western Balkan, a 136% jump from the previous year and the highest number observed since 2015.

German Of The Day: Abschiebungen

February 19, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means deportations. German deportations. Deportations that don’t work, in other words. Migrants deported for criminal offences just turn around and come right back to Germany again. Why, how criminal or something. That they’re able to do so, I mean.

Thousands of deported migrants reenter Germany – Nearly 6,500 people deported from Germany sneaked back to the country over the past three years, police told Bild newspaper.

Citing federal police statistics, the newspaper said 6,495 foreigners had returned or tried to return over the past three years.

During that period, the number of returnees increased by 74%.

“These numbers reveal the enormous gaps in Interior Minister Nancy Faeser‘s security policy.”

Germany Lecturing Others About Not Taking Their Defense Seriously

February 15, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Hurt Feelings, Hypocrisy Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

German of the day: Ein Esel schimpft den anderen Langohr. That means “a donkey scolds the other long-eared.”

In other words, the pot is calling the kettle black.

Germany chides allies for delays in delivering tanks to Ukraine – Defence minister expresses disbelief at slow progress by countries that pressed Berlin for Leopard decision.

Germany’s defence minister has voiced his frustration with European partners who spent months pressuring Berlin to supply tanks to Ukraine but have so far failed to deliver any of the heavy armour themselves.

European Greens Against Huge Investments In Green Technologies

February 8, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Because they’re not the right shade of Green. They’re not European Green, in other words.

They’re more of a Greenback shade of Green. And this makes them Green with envy. Or maybe it’s more like Green about the gills.

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck was holding talks in Washington on Tuesday focused on the controversial US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which foresees huge investments in green technologies.

A large portion of the Inflation Reduction Act, somewhere in the region of $370 billion (roughly €350 billion at current exchange rates), is earmarked for spending and subsidies designed to support the green transition in the US.

For instance, it includes government incentives for consumers to buy electric vehicles, but only if the vehicles and batteries were produced either in the US or a country with a trade deal with the US.

More Engineers And Scientists Are On The Way

February 6, 2023 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking, Hypocrisy Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Thanks to Germany’s clever immigration policy.

The avalanche Angela Merkel set off back in 2015 is finally starting to pay off!

Shortage of engineers, scientists threatens German industry – Germany’s homegrown population is declining, and with it the number of science and engineering students.

German engineering is known worldwide for its quality and innovation. But that brand is under threat. The number of students beginning university degrees in STEM fields — shorthand for science, technology, engineering, and math — fell 6% in just one year, according to a recent study from the nation’s federal statistics agency.

Since The Suspect Must Remain Innocent Until Proven Innocent

January 26, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

And since the policies which allowed the suspect to be in the country in the first place must remain above reproach…

It’s time to consider tougher knife control laws in Germany again.

Palestinian man arrested for deadly stabbing spree on German train – A knife-wielding man described as a stateless Palestinian fatally stabbed two passengers and injured seven others on a train in northern Germany before being grabbed by members of the public and arrested by police, officials say. The motive of the attack was not immediately known.

Germany’s Population Is Booming

January 20, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

It’s at an “all-time high.” Due to illegal immigration (AKA “migration”).

Doctors, engineers and other desperately needed Fachkräfte (specialists, professionals) keep pouring in over the non-border by the tens of thousands (a mid-size German city every year). Thumbs up, Germany.

German population hits all-time high – According to official statistics, the number of people living in the EU’s largest nation grew due to record migration.