Today I’m in Berlin with Jörg Luyken, right beside a remaining part the infamous grim Berlin Wall — the barrier that for decades cut this city in two and became one of the most powerful symbols of the Cold War, that divided the West from the Soviet East. After liberal democracy won and the wall was teared down in 1990. We wondered whether the divide is still alive, yet invisible. We discuss how the crumbling Middle Class of Germany has affected the economy and everyday life in Germany. Jörg is a highly respected Berlin based journalist known for his spot on analysis of German economy and society. He writes at thegermanreview.de Our new podcast "Reality Check with Élena" explores the realities that lead to informality: a notion represented by reduction of the middle class, and spread of insecurity, through a series of dynamic on-the-ground interviews in Europe, the US, and the Global south. You will hear what informality is really like, from people who have lived in it all their lives; from those who have escaped it and risen to middle class; and others who have fallen into it. We invite global intellectuals, along with journalists, policy makers, and investors to share their views on what is informality and why we must tackle it now. Learn more about Elena Panaritis and Thought4Action: https://linktr.ee/t4action Donate to end informality
2:58 why is middle class shrinking; why Germans vote increasingly for AFD
4:47 people give roughly ½ of their salary in taxes
6:00 rise of precariousness, of informality, yet it’s the no1 destination for refugees
8:00 housing crisis why?
13:43 rise of homelessness an invisible growing problem
20:37 Gov’t moves 100BE every yr from the State budget to the pension system – yet poverty among pensionaries is very high
22:33 bureaucracy is at its highest level – said Gov’t auditor
26:45 what has caused the rise of the AFD; what establishment parties have done for Germans to consider voting for AFD
