

Spend, sometime: Germany’s economic shift
Jun 11, 2020
Tom Nuttall, The Economist's Berlin bureau chief, discusses Germany's bold economic shift from frugality to increased spending, driven partly by the pandemic and supported by a significant recovery package. Olivia Ackland, The Economist's Africa correspondent, reflects on the implications of Burundi's outgoing president's controversial reign following his death. With whispers of potential leadership changes in Burundi, the conversation also touches on innovative election forecasting techniques and the turbulent socio-political landscape influencing the U.S. presidential race.
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Germany's Economic Shift
- Germany's shift towards economic largesse isn't solely due to the pandemic.
- Evolving economic thought and a change in leadership at the finance ministry have played key roles.
Scholz's Influence
- Olaf Scholz, the current finance minister, transformed the ministry into an intellectual hub.
- He fosters regular discussions with leading economists, influencing policy decisions.
Europe's Fiscal Future
- While Germany's domestic fiscal policy might revert post-pandemic, its European approach may not.
- The EU's 500 billion euro recovery fund sets a precedent for common fiscal responses to external shocks.