It Doesn’t Matter Who Replaces Merkel. Germany Is Broken.

Ms. Merkel, for all her power and influence, is just one politician. Germany’s new political crisis runs much deeper. It stems from an economic system that has resulted in stagnant wages and insecure jobs. 

 The erosion of Germany’s postwar  — a strong welfare state, full-time employment, the opportunity to move up in the world — has created a populace open to messages and movements previously banished to the fringes.

 NYT 7 December 2018

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