ECB President Christine Lagarde praised Germany for finally starting to ease fiscal austerity policies. Speaking in Washington on Saturday, she said, “In the next few years, fiscal policy will play a more active role in promoting it. Of course, this is particularly evident in countries that plan to increase their defense investment. And Germany is certainly one such country — its large-scale military and infrastructure investments are underway. These investments are currently only having an impact, but they will be fully developed in a very significant way within the next three years.” When making the above remarks on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund's annual meeting, Lagarde said, “Germany is using its balance sheet and borrowing capacity.” “Germany as an agent of change — who could have thought of that?” Lagarde said.

ECB President Christine Lagarde praised Germany for finally starting to ease fiscal austerity policies. Speaking in Washington on Saturday, she said, “In the next few years, fiscal policy will play a more active role in promoting it. Of course, this is particularly evident in countries that plan to increase their defense investment. And Germany is certainly one such country — its large-scale military and infrastructure investments are underway. These investments are currently only having an impact, but they will be fully developed in a very significant way within the next three years.” When making the above remarks on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund's annual meeting, Lagarde said, “Germany is using its balance sheet and borrowing capacity.” “Germany as an agent of change — who could have thought of that?” Lagarde said.