The meeting is introduced by Giuseppe Ferrandi, director of the Trentino Historical Museum Foundation.
Germany’s economic strength has not diminished with the euro, but the creation of the single currency lacked a common economic and fiscal policy. The sweet poison of euro-denominated debt at very low cost led many countries to over-indebt themselves, yet without investing in infrastructure, industry, research and development, and, above all, in the educational and university system. The theory of growth based on debt has failed. Germany, which was described 20 years ago as the "sick man" of the continent, has actually fared better, but it is clear that it struggles to take on the role of leader. This difficulty stems from its history. But what path will German politics follow now? There are two tracks it is moving on: one, ensuring the stability of the Euro, even with extraordinary measures; two, urging lagging countries to implement the reforms, always promised but never carried out.
