THE NEW GERMAN SYSTEM

A country in crisis

Synopsis

Germany is now in crisis. Its economy is in recession, and the outlook is poor.

Europe's leading power is seeing its exports slow down, its prices rise, and its population worried about its decline. Symbolizing these difficulties, the automotive sector, with its myriad subcontractors, is now suffering. German cars are competing with Chinese vehicles.

In Kassel, in central Germany, Volkswagen's stronghold, hundreds of employees are on the dole and facing general inflation.