On February 24, 2022, Russian tanks enter Ukraine. The world was stunned, Germany incredulous. Yet the country was about to experience an unprecedented upheaval.
Russia, its historic supplier of low-cost gas, is outlawed by Europe. Gas prices are soaring, prompting Berlin to hastily reopen coal-fired power plants. The country, which dreamed of being the leader of a greener Europe, remains its biggest polluter.
At the same time, Germany entered a recession. Europe’s leading power is seeing its exports slow, its prices rise and its population worried about its decline.
This is fertile ground for the inexorable rise of the far-right party, particularly in the former East Germany, where regional by-elections have been held.
The country of consensus and economic stability is rocking.
The German model is on its last legs!