Based
on current statistics, more than 19% of Germans or about 16 million
people, live below poverty line while the average pension is 700
euros with a tension to decrease
by Zissis
Papadimitriou*
Germany has
by far the strongest real economy among the EU member-states, but
this does not mean that social wealth is distributed equally. The
picture presented by the Greek mainstream media for the economic
situation of the German people, stands far from reality.
Neoliberal
policies started by the previous government coalition of Social
Democrats and Greens under Gerhard Schröder, continued by the
current government of the Big Coalition between Christian Democrats,
Christian Socialists and Social Democrats under chancellor Angela
Merkel in the name of growth and brought huge profits for the capital
without, however, improve life conditions for the majority of the
German people.
The gap
between rich and poor is getting bigger as wealth is concentrated in
the hands of few, a characteristic feature of the famed globalization
with the financial capital on top.
Just only
one look at the data of the Statistical Service of the country is
enough for someone to ascertain that, nearly the last twenty years,
workers gained minimal remuneration increases, while living
conditions for the unemployed, for those who have insecure jobs and
for pensioners, have worsen significantly.
While
according to the trilateral agreement of the government parties, a
minimum amount of 8.5 euros per hour has been enacted for salaries,
businesses have already mobilized mechanisms to undermine the deal, a
fact which could be turned against the government of the Big
Coalition.
Although
unemployment percentage is relatively low, around 7% but tending to
increase, the future of the German economy does not look bright at
all, since its progress depends significantly on exports, a fact
which, indeed, highly concerns German political and economic elites.
Based on
current statistics, more than 19% of Germans or about 16 million people,
live below poverty line. It is worth to note that the average pension
is 700 euros with a tension to decrease.
Nearly 4.2
million people live with the social benefit of 382 euros per month
(Hartz IV) plus benefit for cheap housing since rents in free market
are quite high and therefore unaffordable for people with low income,
a fact which forces them to search for house in downgraded urban
areas. Thousands of migrants that reach the country lately experience
insecurity, while being brutally exploited as searching for jobs.
The German
media recently focused on the free moving, throughout EU, of
Bulgarians and Romanians from January 1st of 2014, as citizens of EU,
because there is a concern about a possible big wave of immigration
from these countries, especially of Sinti and Roma, something which
will put the German social state under testing. This was pointed in
the first place, by the leader of Christian Socialist party of
Bavaria, Horst Seehofer, bringing signs of instability for the
government of the Big Coalition.
The German
media continuously refer to this situation since the beginning of the
new year and this is something that further strengthened xenophobia.
Although xenophobia is not expressed publicly yet, this fear grows
underground and threatens peaceful co-living between people since the
neonazi tensions become stronger especially in former East Germany.
Although
people hesitate to be expressed freely concerning the presence of
foreigners in their country in order to avoid to be characterized
politically, their concern is obvious and this hides a great danger
for a new form of fascism in European societies.
In the
dividing lines between the countries of the North of EU (Germany,
Holland, Austria, etc.) and those of European South, another dividing
parameter has been added through the entrance of the former East
Block countries in the EU which are treated, more or less, as a
second-class Europe and this is something that puts in doubt Europe's
economic, political and social completion.
Being myself
a visitor in Germany for the Christmas holidays, I noticed the degree
of rapid change of the German society, as well as the change in
everyday life of people, something which enhanced the concerns about
the future of the EU since Germany plays a central role in the
economic, political and social progress of the European construction.
In central
parts of cities and spaces of cultural events, like for example
museums, operas, etc., one can observe a new phenomenon of local and
foreign beggars, who bring memories of old times and of Dickens'
novels scenes. One can also see young beggars in railway platforms
who try to avoid police disturbance by carrying a backpack pretending
to be travelers!
Given that
there is a rise of the extreme Right in Germany as well as in the
other European core countries and countries of the European
periphery, like Greece for example, there is a great danger for
extreme political perceptions to dominate. The further course of the
EU will be determined, to a great extent, by the new political
balances between parties in the European Parliament after the
oncoming euro elections in May.
* School
of Law, Economics and Political Science, Department of Law, at the
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki-Greece
Free
translation from the article in Greek language here:
http://tvxs.gr/news/ti-na-kanoyme/germania-23-ek-zoyn-kato-apo-orio-tis-ftoxeias-toy-zisi-papadimitrioy
Corrected
according to the Federal Statistical
Office
of Germany
There is about 80 millions inhabitants in Germany. 19% of 80 millions is equal to 15 or 16 millions, not 23 millions.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The percentage is the right one therefore we are talking about 16 million, will be corrected.
ReplyDelete