German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Monday for investment in German infrastructure, including the internet and highways, as a way to combat the financial crisis, but rejected the option of a near-term tax cut.
Merkel made this statement at a two-day conference of her party CDU in Stuttgart amid deep divisions over how Germany should tackle the worst financial crisis in decades. She dismissed proposals for an immediate tax cut, calling them "meaningless competition" in which she does not want to participate, but it seems she has left the door open for possible minor tax changes in January. "Germany will keep all options open to effectively combat this crisis," she said. The German Chancellor announced that Berlin will focus on investing in German infrastructure, particularly highways in the western part of the country that need modernization, as well as expanding high-speed internet connections to rural areas. (H)
