German ruling class slumps toward war, sparking a political renewal for the left

German ruling class slumps toward war, sparking a political renewal for the left

Germany, long a synonym for economic brawn and muscle, is beginning to recall words like lumbago or sciatica instead. Though still leading in Europe, and fourth in the world, it faces an economic mess, a political mess, and a mood of general stress. Schools lack repairs and teachers; clinics and hospitals lack staff; its key industry, making good cars, lacks customers. All sliding downhill. What’s moving up? Apartment rents, grocery prices, the …