By
its borders with nine countries and its position in the center of the
continent, Germany could claim their country's condition more "European"
of all.
With over 80 million inhabitants within a rigorous structure, it is an
economic and political power with charming landscapes, pulsating cities,
progressive culture and consciousness of a historical legacy on the
edge between horror and grandeur.
Few nations have had much impact on the world as Germany, a land of innovation that gave us the printing press, the automobile, aspirin and MP3 technology. It is the birthplace of Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, Goethe, Beethoven, the Brothers Grimm and other figures of the world scene. When traveling in Germany there are perceived hundreds of strokes of genius, but perhaps even more uplifting spirit is its landscape. The jagged peaks of the Bavarian Alps give way wide atop a flowery mountain pastures where cows graze. Impetuous rivers flow through romantic valleys, steep vineyards and forests of fairy tales. The travelers will find themselves face to face with history in centuries-old towns and imposing castles that tower over manicured villages with half-timbered houses. Cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne are throbbing cultural centers that offer a range of experiences, from opera shows for the better educated to raves.
As a strong democracy, Germany has long been the driving force behind
European integration and, for much of its recent history, is molded as
an archetype of national integration within the European Union (EU).
However, since reunification in 1990, has also devoted more attention
to itself as a nation, especially considering if you should have a
stronger voice in Europe and worldwide. For example, the German national army (Bundeswehr) has been involved in military conflicts since 2001, especially in Afghanistan.
The German contingent, with more than 3,000 soldiers operating in the
northern region, is the third in number of the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF).
However, the images of coffins wrapped in the German flag have
triggered a heated debate on whether the country should take part in
armed conflicts or not.
The examination of conscience reached a peak in 2009 when an air strike
ordered by a German officer caused Afghan civilian casualties.
Among German breathe some dissatisfaction to speak of economic and social progress achieved since reunification. A major study of the Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW, German Institute for Economic Development) found that less than half of the population believes live better today than in 1990. One of every four citizens of the former GDR think your life was better in East Germany. And the fact that there is still a huge difference in income between the two Germanys old does not help much (€ 1,444 net per month in the former West Germany and € 1149 in the former GDR).
During the last two decades, the German political scene has grown from a tripartite system-the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD, Social Democratic Party of Germany), the Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU, Christian Democratic Union) and its Bavarian cousin, the christlich-Soziale Union (CSU Christian Social Union) and the Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP, Free Democratic Party) - one of five games that includes Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Alliance 90/The Greens) and the relatively new Die Linke (The Left). The latter was born of Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (SED Socialist Unity Party of Germany), the former Communist Party of East Germany.
When the 2005 elections were concluded without a clear winner, formed a grand coalition of the SPD and CDU / CSU under the leadership of Angela Merkel, the first woman chancellor of Germany. The Germans, who then showed overwhelmingly in favor of a grand coalition, hoped that the two major parties bury their hatchets and work together to tackle the country's most pressing problems: the long-term unemployment, health care and pension much needed financial reform, the problems related to immigration and citizenship, as well as thorny issues a tax system that many consider favorably to those receiving a better economic position, high domestic debt, reducing purchasing power and lack of economic initiatives aimed at individuals and small businesses. The successes were modest, since most agreements were bold reforms. As one minister, the grand coalition was a kind of marriage between rigged and forced.
And then came the financial crisis of 2008-2009, public debt shot while injecting huge amounts of money in German banks weakened. One of the more populist government responses to the crisis was called Abwrackprämie (literally "scrap premium", a "Plan 2000E"). Owners of vehicles with a length of more than nine years and wanted to get rid of it, received an incentive of € 2,500 to buy a new one. Nearly two million Germans took advantage of the plan, designed to foster the domestic sector of manufacturing and sale of automobiles and asphalt away contaminants. Overall, the short-term result was positive, but many economists doubt its long-term usefulness.
The 2009 election reflected the people's disenchantment with the grand coalition to drive to power a center-right alliance of CDU / CSU and the FDP. While the former lost a couple of points and stood at 33.8%, supporting the FDP (business oriented) increased by a third, to 14.6%, so they grew their political strength within of the coalition. It was a personal victory for the FDP, a party liberal on social issues but also in favor of the free market led by Guido Westerwelle, one of the few openly gay politicians in Germany. The new confidence of the young party itself more difficult to work Merkel set a political agenda (often is criticized for his political style discrete). One of the most controversial goals of the FDP is to soften dismissal laws that protect workers. Also, the party is in favor of lowering taxes despite high national debt. The leaders of the CDU / CSU expect Merkel teach teeth and adopt a clear policy stance, even if it means losing his title of "mother of the nation".
Meanwhile, the SPD suffered its worst election result since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949 and will sit in the opposition for the first time since 1998. Unable to inspire confidence in voters from the left, scored a miserable 23% and many votes went to Alliance 90/The Greens and the Left.
The issue of energy and nuclear waste was one that caused more controversy during elections. In the 1990s, the coalition of the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens adopted a package of laws which set 2020 as the deadline for nuclear power plant operation. But with the new government of the CDU / CSU and the FDP is believed that such margin be extended, at least for some plants, in order to solve potential shortages until they mature alternative energy sources.
In Germany, solar and wind are developing industries, and Alliance 90/The Greens consider these and other sustainable sources as drivers of job creation. In late 2009, the solar panels installed in homes generate about 6000 megawatts per year, as well as seven nuclear medium size. And while some members of the antinuclear movement consider the controversial Gorleben intermediate plant in Lower Saxony, nuclear waste disposal, may not be safe. To make matters worse, the storage center near Asse, where nuclear waste is deposited when the industry was still in its infancy, was flooded and was in danger of collapsing. Everything points to Gorleben nuclear energy, which for years have caused mass demonstrations, often violent, remain hotly debated issues in the future, after the dust raised by the 2009 election has settled.
Places to Visit in Austria
Few nations have had much impact on the world as Germany, a land of innovation that gave us the printing press, the automobile, aspirin and MP3 technology. It is the birthplace of Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, Goethe, Beethoven, the Brothers Grimm and other figures of the world scene. When traveling in Germany there are perceived hundreds of strokes of genius, but perhaps even more uplifting spirit is its landscape. The jagged peaks of the Bavarian Alps give way wide atop a flowery mountain pastures where cows graze. Impetuous rivers flow through romantic valleys, steep vineyards and forests of fairy tales. The travelers will find themselves face to face with history in centuries-old towns and imposing castles that tower over manicured villages with half-timbered houses. Cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne are throbbing cultural centers that offer a range of experiences, from opera shows for the better educated to raves.
Among German breathe some dissatisfaction to speak of economic and social progress achieved since reunification. A major study of the Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW, German Institute for Economic Development) found that less than half of the population believes live better today than in 1990. One of every four citizens of the former GDR think your life was better in East Germany. And the fact that there is still a huge difference in income between the two Germanys old does not help much (€ 1,444 net per month in the former West Germany and € 1149 in the former GDR).
During the last two decades, the German political scene has grown from a tripartite system-the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD, Social Democratic Party of Germany), the Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU, Christian Democratic Union) and its Bavarian cousin, the christlich-Soziale Union (CSU Christian Social Union) and the Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP, Free Democratic Party) - one of five games that includes Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (Alliance 90/The Greens) and the relatively new Die Linke (The Left). The latter was born of Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (SED Socialist Unity Party of Germany), the former Communist Party of East Germany.
When the 2005 elections were concluded without a clear winner, formed a grand coalition of the SPD and CDU / CSU under the leadership of Angela Merkel, the first woman chancellor of Germany. The Germans, who then showed overwhelmingly in favor of a grand coalition, hoped that the two major parties bury their hatchets and work together to tackle the country's most pressing problems: the long-term unemployment, health care and pension much needed financial reform, the problems related to immigration and citizenship, as well as thorny issues a tax system that many consider favorably to those receiving a better economic position, high domestic debt, reducing purchasing power and lack of economic initiatives aimed at individuals and small businesses. The successes were modest, since most agreements were bold reforms. As one minister, the grand coalition was a kind of marriage between rigged and forced.
And then came the financial crisis of 2008-2009, public debt shot while injecting huge amounts of money in German banks weakened. One of the more populist government responses to the crisis was called Abwrackprämie (literally "scrap premium", a "Plan 2000E"). Owners of vehicles with a length of more than nine years and wanted to get rid of it, received an incentive of € 2,500 to buy a new one. Nearly two million Germans took advantage of the plan, designed to foster the domestic sector of manufacturing and sale of automobiles and asphalt away contaminants. Overall, the short-term result was positive, but many economists doubt its long-term usefulness.
The 2009 election reflected the people's disenchantment with the grand coalition to drive to power a center-right alliance of CDU / CSU and the FDP. While the former lost a couple of points and stood at 33.8%, supporting the FDP (business oriented) increased by a third, to 14.6%, so they grew their political strength within of the coalition. It was a personal victory for the FDP, a party liberal on social issues but also in favor of the free market led by Guido Westerwelle, one of the few openly gay politicians in Germany. The new confidence of the young party itself more difficult to work Merkel set a political agenda (often is criticized for his political style discrete). One of the most controversial goals of the FDP is to soften dismissal laws that protect workers. Also, the party is in favor of lowering taxes despite high national debt. The leaders of the CDU / CSU expect Merkel teach teeth and adopt a clear policy stance, even if it means losing his title of "mother of the nation".
Meanwhile, the SPD suffered its worst election result since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949 and will sit in the opposition for the first time since 1998. Unable to inspire confidence in voters from the left, scored a miserable 23% and many votes went to Alliance 90/The Greens and the Left.
The issue of energy and nuclear waste was one that caused more controversy during elections. In the 1990s, the coalition of the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens adopted a package of laws which set 2020 as the deadline for nuclear power plant operation. But with the new government of the CDU / CSU and the FDP is believed that such margin be extended, at least for some plants, in order to solve potential shortages until they mature alternative energy sources.
In Germany, solar and wind are developing industries, and Alliance 90/The Greens consider these and other sustainable sources as drivers of job creation. In late 2009, the solar panels installed in homes generate about 6000 megawatts per year, as well as seven nuclear medium size. And while some members of the antinuclear movement consider the controversial Gorleben intermediate plant in Lower Saxony, nuclear waste disposal, may not be safe. To make matters worse, the storage center near Asse, where nuclear waste is deposited when the industry was still in its infancy, was flooded and was in danger of collapsing. Everything points to Gorleben nuclear energy, which for years have caused mass demonstrations, often violent, remain hotly debated issues in the future, after the dust raised by the 2009 election has settled.
Places to Visit in Austria
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