Don’t mention the war: in Germany, politicians are hiding the truth about defence spending | Paul Taylor

Debate has largely focused on how to revive the ailing German economy after two years of recession.

Conservative CDU / CSU leader Friedrich Merz has swerved speaking about the need for massive borrowing to pay for a surge in defence spending.

The Social Democratic (SPD ) chancellor, Olaf Scholz , is dodging discussion of sending German troops to Ukraine as part of a possible European security force if a ceasefire agreement is reached.

By failing to prepare public opinion for the coming storm, Merz is storing up trouble for himself when the time comes, very soon, to make wrenching choices on public spending and borrowing. - Paul Taylor is a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre .