Weak private demand is the core problem—tied to weak productivity (Draghi). Strip out the noise (Ireland’s MNE distortions, NGEU one-offs) and focus on the core euro area (FR DE): the ECB tightening cycle is hard to miss. Core private domestic demand is the adjustment margin.
The key shortfall is a sustained weakness in domestic demand. Since 1999 real private consumption in Germany has grown by less than 1% per year. Domestic investment remained subdued as well. This is mirrored in the sharp rise in Germany’s current account surplus. 15/20