Germany is at last tackling its long-standing economic weaknesses
Can Olaf Scholz turn things around?
“We are at a time of great upheaval,” said Olaf Scholz on March 6th, standing in front of Schloss Meseberg, a baroque castle in Brandenburg where his cabinet was holding a two-day pow-wow. This is not only because of Russia’s war against Ukraine, explained the German chancellor, but because of the transformation required by the environmental crisis. He promised to turn Germany at high speed into a gleaming, climate-neutral economy. But can he pull it all off?
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Crunch time”
Europe
March 18th 2023- Germany is at last tackling its long-standing economic weaknesses
- The alarming comeback of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party
- Ethnic Hungarians have been having a tricky time in Ukraine
- How Ukraine tamed Russian missile barrages and kept the lights on
- Europe has led the global charge against big tech. But does it need a new approach?

From the March 18th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionThe dangerous tension in Europe’s response to Trump
By trying to stop the rift, Europe may hasten it

Can Friedrich Merz get Europe out of its funk?
A new Merz-mentum could reboot the Franco-German motor at the heart of the EU
Can Europe keep Ukraine in the fight if America really has bailed?
Investing in Ukraine’s own weapons industry will be the best bet
As Trump suspends military aid, what are the chokeholds on Ukraine?
The war-torn country can substitute some—but nothing like all—of the kit it gets from America
Europe vows to defend Ukraine, but prays for Trump’s support
A summit in London is stalked by the fear America will walk away