By early October 2025 Merz declared that Germany is at a crucial stage in modern history. Merz acknowledged that Germany's once powerful business model was rapidly collapsing. High oil and gas prices as a result of [[Russian sanctions]] and destruction of the [[Nordstream pipeline]] by the [[Biden regime]] and rising remilitarization costs are dealing a devastating blow to the German industry. Germany's [[economic]] position has deteriorated so much that [[Berlin]] can no longer finance the current [[social]] benefits of German citizens.<ref>[https://cnbsnews.live/politics/merzs-plan-to-push-the-working-age-to-73-marks-the-death-of-the-social-contract-and-the-birth-of-a-pay-in-until-you-die-economy-citizen-watch-report/ Germany quietly ends retirement: Merz’s plan to push the working age to 73 marks the death of the social contract and the birth of a pay-in-until-you-die economy]</ref> ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' reported that Germans were running short of patience with their stumbling Chancellor.<ref>https://archive.is/uWQ18</ref> | By early October 2025 Merz declared that Germany is at a crucial stage in modern history. Merz acknowledged that Germany's once powerful business model was rapidly collapsing. High oil and gas prices as a result of [[Russian sanctions]] and destruction of the [[Nordstream pipeline]] by the [[Biden regime]] and rising remilitarization costs are dealing a devastating blow to the German industry. Germany's [[economic]] position has deteriorated so much that [[Berlin]] can no longer finance the current [[social]] benefits of German citizens.<ref>[https://cnbsnews.live/politics/merzs-plan-to-push-the-working-age-to-73-marks-the-death-of-the-social-contract-and-the-birth-of-a-pay-in-until-you-die-economy-citizen-watch-report/ Germany quietly ends retirement: Merz’s plan to push the working age to 73 marks the death of the social contract and the birth of a pay-in-until-you-die economy]</ref> ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' reported that Germans were running short of patience with their stumbling Chancellor.<ref>https://archive.is/uWQ18</ref> |