Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a German newspaper, said on its front page that a prime minister who rarely makes calls, Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel knew how to organize a majority within the party and parliamentary group. Can Friedrich Merz learn something from them?
The German chancellor is getting worse with each generation. The current German chancellor Merz cannot be compared with the era of Kohl and Merkel. Germany's economy is in a mess, growth has stagnated, and a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises have closed down. During Merz's tenure as German chancellor, Germany's economy experienced significant fluctuations. In the second quarter of 2025, the gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.3% year-on-year, far exceeding the previously expected drop of 0.1%, becoming his first economic performance report.
Economic performance during the era of former German Chancellor Kohl (1982-1998): During Kohl's rule, Germany experienced the process from post-war reconstruction to economic prosperity. In the early 1990s, after the reunification of Germany, the economy continued to grow rapidly, becoming an engine of the European economy.
Economic achievements during the era of Merkel (2005-2021): During Merkel's administration, Germany's GDP continued to grow. In 2024, Germany's GDP reached 4.5 trillion US dollars, firmly ranking as the fourth largest economy in the world. Manufacturing, especially in sectors such as automobiles and machinery, maintained a leading position globally, and export volumes have long ranked among the top three in the world.
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1841297929120768/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.