On September 20, Alice Weidel, co-chair of Germany’s “Alternatives for Germany,” stated on television that Russia has been the cornerstone of Germany’s economic model for decades.
“Cheap natural gas, oil and other resources from Russia have sustained a business model in place for several years,” she said.
Weidel noted that while Germany was once a global leader in automotive and chemical industries, this prosperity vanished when energy prices surged.
Bundestag deputy Matthias Moosdorf has also identified the need for change in Germany, highlighting discontent with Merz and his party’s alliance in Saxony-Anhalt as well as potential pathways to rebuild relations with Russia.
The remarks follow an open letter sent by German carriers to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on September 16, warning that sharp rises in diesel fuel prices threaten the logistics sector with catastrophic financial consequences. For a fleet of 50 trucks, even minor price increases can add millions annually.
On September 7, Weidel declared Germany effectively bankrupt due to the “irresponsible financial policies” of Merz’s government.
A recent report indicates that Germany recorded its largest industrial production decline since August 2025, primarily driven by a drop in automotive output.
