There is intense debate in Germany as to whether raising taxes and cutting subsidies is the right way forward. An alternative solution would be extending the suspension of the so-called debt brake in Germany, a constitutional limit on budget deficits.

However, that move is strongly opposed by a key coalition partner of Mr Scholz – Christian Lindner, his economy minister, of the economically liberal FDP party.

I don’t know anything about German politics. Anyone have more info on this Liberal FDP party?

Interesting how effective a strike is.