The German government released their version of the producer price index for inflation, and they are reporting 30.9% inflation for products leaving German factories.  [DETAILS HERE] That’s the highest rate of inflation since shortly after the second world war.

The inflation rate is being driven mostly by energy costs which are more than 80% higher than last year.   However, each nation’s overall inflation rate is also driven by the amount of central bank spending they used during the COVID economic lockdowns.  The more any govt spent on subsidies, the more money they printed, the more they devalued their money and subsequently, the higher their current rate of inflation.

Germany is the largest economy in the European Union.  This level of inflation within Germany has major ramifications.

First, with this level of energy inflation Germany cannot afford to stop purchasing Russian energy products.  There’s no way for Germany to join or increase western sanctions against oil and gas they need to stay sufficient.  Germany is dependent on Russian energy.

Second, with Germany’s economy this vulnerable; and with Germany being so dependent on Russian energy; Germany will have to distance itself further from any Ukraine assistance.   In the background of western voices already being upset with Germany for not providing more support for Ukraine, their economic vulnerability explains their unwillingness.   The U.S. proxy war against Russia does not benefit Germany, at all.

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Despite western media presentations of vaccine outlooks in what they frame as progressive Germany, the country actually has one of the lower vaccination rates in Europe. About 76% of Germans have one dose of vaccine compared to an average of 80% in France, Italy and Spain.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated earlier in the year, the only way forward through the COVID-19 pandemic was a national vaccine mandate.

Anticipating limited support for the measure, Scholz’s tenuous coalition government constructed a law they thought would have widespread support.  Those over 60-years of age would have a mandatory vaccination, and those 18 to 59 would have a mandatory conversation with their doctors about the vaccination.

The members of parliament were told to follow their conscience as Scholz’s law was brought to the floor for a vote.  The vaccine law failed to pass parliament as 378 members voted against it, 296 voted in favor.  The legislative defeat has stunned the ruling German coalition.

BERLIN, April 7 (Reuters) – Germany’s lower house of parliament on Thursday voted against a bill requiring anyone aged 60 and over to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a defeat for Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

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