‘The forgotten middle class’

With a week left to run before before general elections, Handelsblatt complains that Germany’s politicians are neglecting the country’s middle class —

The campaign is dominated by the the theme of “social justice”. Discussions focus on problems faced by the underprivileged and and the luxurious life of the rich. But no one is talking about the middle class: the stabilising anchor of post-war German society, which remains the driving force in Europe’s leading economy.

The daily points out that 15 years ago, entrepreneurs, engineers and teachers were part of what the social democrats under former chancellor Gerhard Schröder referred to as the “new centre”. However, the reforms of the “Agenda 2010” led to the creation of a poor middle class and a well-off middle class. “The new centre became the forgotten centre,” remarks Handesblatt.