Germany's economy struggles with an energy shock that's exposing longtime flaws

Germany racked up one economic success after another for most of this century. But the loss of Russian natural gas due to the war in Ukraine has dealt a severe blow to its industry through higher energy costs. The country will be the world's only major economy expected to shrink this year. But that's only part of the story. The energy crisis shined a harsh light on longstanding cracks in the economy's foundation: too much bureaucracy, not enough digital technology, lagging spending on infrastructure. Companies want action but instead see too much squabbling among the three-party government coalition. Still, Germany has strengths that could help it address the downturn.

AP News
Germany seeks to buy mothballed Swiss Leopard 2 tanks

BERLIN (AP) — Germany wants to buy mothballed Leopard 2 battle tanks from Switzerland to replace tanks that Berlin and its Western allies are sending to Ukraine, the Swiss government said Friday. The Swiss Defense Ministry said that Germany's defense and economy ministers wrote on Feb.

Associated Press