Speaking in Berlin, Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz identified the ongoing conflict with Iran and the resulting United States blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as the primary drivers of his country’s current economic struggles. To combat soaring global energy costs, the German coalition government has officially announced a €1.6 billion financial support package. This emergency initiative includes a temporary two-month reduction in gasoline and diesel taxes, alongside provisions for employers to offer tax-free bonuses of up to €1,000 to their workers. Despite these immediate relief efforts, Merz warned that the economic fallout from the Middle Eastern conflict will remain a long-term burden on the nation. He further cautioned citizens that the government cannot indefinitely rely on state funds to shield the public from such severe global market disruptions.