german business associations in talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the “urgency” of steps to help the ailing economy,one group said Tuesday,with reports describing a stormy encounter.
Merz has made boosting Europe’s biggest economy a priority but critics charge that, after four months in power, his government is moving too slowly and not living up to its promises of reform.During a meeting Monday with leaders of Germany’s four top business associations, Merz faced a dressing-down for failing to take strong action in areas ranging from welfare reform to tackling onerous red tape, tabloid Bild reported.
None of the groups present commented on the details of the meeting, which took place behind closed doors.
A spokeswoman for leading industry federation the BDI told AFP that the aim of the talks was to “demonstrate the urgency” of the situation facing Germany.
Hammered by a manufacturing slump and weak demand for its exports, Germany’s economy shrank for the past two years and has failed to rebound strongly in 2025 with US President Donald Trump’s tariffs adding to headwinds.
The criticism at Monday’s tense meeting was wide-ranging, Bild reported.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the government to speed up planning for large projects while the BDA employers’ federation called for rapid reform of health insurance systems to stop fast-rising contributions, it said.
Ecuador’s President Links Fuel Price Protests to Narco Gangs
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has directly accused organized crime, specifically narco gangs, of orchestrating the recent protests sparked by rising fuel prices.The protests, which began in late August 2023, led to widespread disruption and violence across the contry. Noboa claims the gangs aimed to destabilize his government following his decision to end fuel subsidies.
The fuel price hikes, implemented as part of a broader economic reform package, considerably increased the cost of gasoline and diesel. This triggered immediate backlash from transportation unions and other groups, who organized nationwide strikes and roadblocks. Noboa argues these groups were financially supported and manipulated by drug trafficking organizations seeking to undermine his management’s efforts to combat them.
“we have evidence that these protests weren’t spontaneous,” Noboa stated in a national address. “They were planned and financed by the same people who are terrorizing our country.” He didn’t immediatly provide specific details of the evidence, but promised to reveal more as investigations progressed. The government has initiated a series of operations targeting suspected gang members and their financial networks.
ecuador has experienced a surge in drug-related violence in recent years, as it has become a key transit route for cocaine heading to the United States and Europe. Powerful criminal organizations, often with ties to Colombian and Mexican cartels, control significant portions of the country’s drug trade. These gangs have increasingly engaged in violent acts, including assassinations, kidnappings, and extortion.
The protests have also raised concerns about the potential for broader political instability. opposition leaders have criticized Noboa’s handling of the situation, accusing him of authoritarian tactics and failing to address the underlying economic grievances fueling the unrest. The government maintains that a firm response is necessary to restore order and protect the country from criminal influence.
Noboa’s administration has declared a state of emergency in several provinces, granting security forces greater powers to maintain public order. The military has been deployed to key cities to assist police in controlling the protests and protecting critical infrastructure. The situation remains tense, and further clashes between protesters and security forces are possible.
The allegations against the narco gangs are currently under inquiry. If confirmed, they would represent a significant escalation in the conflict between the government and organized crime, and could lead to even more aggressive measures to combat drug trafficking and related violence in Ecuador.
Sources: