Akis Skertsos compares Greek and German political landscapes

Greek Minister of State Akis Skertsos has analyzed the differing political landscapes of Greece and Germany, following recent election results in Germany that showed a rise in political extremism. Skertsos argued that the shift toward the political fringes in Germany should be understood through the country's specific socio-economic environment rather than as a universal European trend.

He identified several factors contributing to Germany's political instability, including economic pressures, deindustrialization, rising unemployment, and challenges regarding the integration of large migrant populations. Skertsos noted that populist forces often gain ground when governments fail to provide effective solutions to citizens' problems.

Comparing economic data from 2019 to 2026, Skertsos highlighted significant divergences: Greece saw a real GDP increase of 12.2% and a drop in unemployment from 17.3% to 7.9%, whereas Germany experienced a 2.2% GDP increase and unemployment rose from 5.5% to 6.5%. Additionally, he pointed to a 25% increase in Greek industrial production compared to a 12% decline in Germany.