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Hungary’s tax policy – engine of dynamic economic development
For years, Hungary’s tax policy has shaped the country’s economic direction, influencing the tax rate, competitiveness, investment climate, and corporate tax structure. The tax code establishes clear parameters, while the capital environment fosters additional growth. This combination strengthens the economy’s performance and provides a stable foundation in a changing European landscape. This tax policy has…
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Expensive US gas deal – Europe is buying itself into a new dependency.
Europe is realigning its energy policy and, to this end, is concluding a long-term gas deal with major US fracking companies, which is altering key market structures. This move is forging a new energy alliance that severely limits political decision-making. At the same time, the question of security of supply is moving to the forefront,…
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How green networks are blocking the search for a final repository
Germany’s search for a final repository for highly radioactive waste has become a symbol of the flawed developments in its energy policy. While Finland is on the verge of commissioning its nuclear waste repository, the Federal Republic is bogged down in endless procedures, commissions, and conflicts of interest. Officially, the focus is on transparency and…
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German army kamikaze drones fail completely – not a single hit in all tests
The German armed forces are facing a deep crisis in the procurement of their kamikaze drones. These novel loitering munition systems were intended to strengthen deterrence, modernization, defense, and security on NATO’s eastern flank. However, several test series paint a devastating picture: none of the tested units hit their target. The dream of technological superiority…
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Majority rejects sacrifices for climate protection – Germans expect benefits, not bans.
The majority of Germans are hesitant when it comes to climate protection. While awareness of environmental issues is considered high, personal sacrifices such as giving up meat or phasing out combustion engines meet with resistance. According to a recent survey, many citizens see too much pressure and too little incentive in current climate policy. Environmental…
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Financial tricks – how the government plugs budget holes with billions from the special fund
The multi-billion-euro special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality is losing its original purpose. Instead of financing new projects, almost half of the funds are being used to plug existing budget gaps. According to calculations by the German Economic Institute (IW), budget shortfalls will amount to around 133 billion euros by 2029. The fund, intended…
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80 million for bats – species protection causes costs of the Hermann Hesse Railway to explode
The reactivation of the Hermann Hesse Railway between Calw and Renningen in Baden-Württemberg demonstrates how significantly bats can impact the budget of a public project. Originally budgeted at €49 million, the railway line has now ballooned to €207 million. Nearly 40 percent of the total expenditure, or approximately €80 million, is earmarked for species protection.…
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Germany’s failed flagship project – from climate pioneer directly into economic crisis
Germany is mired in a deep economic and political dead end. The once-celebrated flagship project of radical climate policy was meant to impress the world, but the plan has failed spectacularly. Instead of the hoped-for economic miracle, the country now faces the wreckage of a botched energy transition. A morally charged prestige project has turned…
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China’s nuclear energy expansion reaches new record
China is accelerating the expansion of nuclear power to secure its growing electricity supply in the long term. The government is making targeted investments in new reactors and modern nuclear power plants to guarantee a stable energy supply. This development combines economic progress with ambitious climate goals and simultaneously strengthens the country’s position as an…
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The empty promise of reducing bureaucracy – new documentation requirements through the law on compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
The government promised to reduce bureaucracy for businesses, but the new law on adherence to collective bargaining agreements is having the opposite effect. Under the guise of fair wages, the government is forcing companies to comply with yet another documentation requirement that is practically impossible to manage. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), already the backbone…
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Merz at COP30 in Brazil – symbolic politics instead of substance
Friedrich Merz stands on the stage at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. While delegations discuss climate goals, Germany is experiencing a gradual decline in its industry. Climate policy resembles a staged event more than a strategy, as the growing deindustrialization reveals the consequences of excessive subsidies. The Chancellor presents his country as a role model, even…
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BASF CEO: EU emissions trading is destroying Europe’s industrial base
Europe is facing an economic tipping point. According to BASF CEO Markus Kamieth, emissions trading is developing into a major risk for industry. While climate policy in Brussels is creating new burdens, companies are struggling with rising energy prices, a growing industrial crisis, and the threat of deindustrialization. CO₂ emissions trading is particularly burdensome for…
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Steel summit at the Chancellery – more subsidies instead of a real strategy
The German economy is under unprecedented pressure in decades. At the steel summit in the Chancellery, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, together with representatives from industry and labor unions, sought solutions to the energy crisis. But instead of sustainable strategies, a familiar pattern prevails: subsidies, rising costs, and paralyzing bureaucracy. A growing number of companies are complaining…
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Family businesses in crisis – medium-sized companies heading towards economic collapse
German family businesses are on the brink of a dangerous situation. According to a recent survey, one in four companies is planning job cuts – a clear warning sign for the entire economy. Many of these traditional businesses, however, hesitate much longer than large corporations because they typically employ highly qualified staff whom they have…
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Subordinated loans – risky financing of renewable energies by private investors
More and more municipal utilities are offering citizen participation through subordinated loans to finance their energy transition projects. The reason lies in a lack of equity capital: many local providers cannot manage the expansion of solar fields, wind farms, and power grids on their own. Banks are acting cautiously, and international markets remain closed –…