France, Feb. 17 -- Germany is entering its final week of campaigning ahead of nationwide elections on 23 February amid economic turmoil, political uncertainty, and growing concerns over its place in the global order.

Once the economic powerhouse of Europe, Germany now finds itself struggling with stagnation, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and an identity crisis fuelled by external pressures and internal discord.

With the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and deepening rifts over the Ukraine war, the upcoming election will be one of the most consequential in modern German history.Economic decline

For years, Germany thrived on an economic model based on cheap Russian gas and booming exports to China.

That model is ...