路透社關於德國總理默克爾一文: Marking Merkel

 

https://graphics.reuters.com/GERMANY-POLITICS/MERKEL/mopankkkova/

 

How is the economy under Merkel? 

 

 

CHANGE IN GDP SINCE 2005

60%

40

GERMANY 34%

20

FRANCE 19%

SPAIN 11%

UK 7%

ITALY 2%

0

-20

2005

2010

2015

2020

Source: World Bank 
Note: GDP in current US dollars 

Germany’s economy has grown by 34% since the start of Merkel’s tenure — 15 percentage points more than its nearest EU rival, France. 

In addition to sound stewardship, some of this was thanks to good fortune: Under Merkel's rule, Germany has benefitted from strong demand in fast-growing economies like China for its high-end engineering goods. 

Reforms made by her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, to reduce taxes, merge unemployment and welfare benefits and increase the flexibility of the labor market also paid dividends.