A sharp economic slowdown in Germany has sparked a loud debate in the government about economic and policy priorities, putting fresh strain on the fractious left-right coalition. The finance ministry downgraded its tax revenue forecasts on Thursday, citing slower growth. Members of the coalition sparred over whether Berlin could afford a planned increase in welfare spending, if it should raise taxes to finance it or if it should cut them to support flagging growth.

Source: Wall Street Journal May 09, 2019 16:05 UTC