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Paris remains the most expensive city in Europe for free-market housing, with an average price of 14,900 euros per square meter, according to a report by Deloitte. Four German cities, Munich (10,900 euros), Frankfurt (7,700 euros), Berlin (7,300 euros), and Hamburg (7,100 euros), also rank in the top ten, along with London, Amsterdam, and Oslo.
As Deutsche Welle reports, the study highlights a mixed landscape in the European property market, which has been impacted by rising interest rates, energy costs, and raw material prices in recent years. While a slow recovery is underway, the extent varies significantly by region. In Italy, for example, buyers pay an average of just 2,118 euros per square meter, while in Greece, prices are as low as 1,463 euros. These disparities reflect differences in infrastructure and quality of life across Europe.
After a brief respite during the Olympics, French President Emmanuel Macron is under pressure to appoint a new prime minister and address the ongoing political deadlock. According to political analyst Benjamin Morel, the past two weeks provided Macron with a "magic break" from the crisis, but the lack of a parliamentary majority continues to loom over any future government.
The Left Alliance, led by candidate Lucie Castette, is pushing to influence the appointment, calling for the repeal of pension reforms and tax fairness as key priorities. The clock is ticking for Macron, who must finalize the budget for next year by mid-September, with parliamentary approval required by early October.
Germany’s coalition government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is under fire following prolonged negotiations over the 2025 budget. After six months of deliberation, a draft budget has finally been agreed upon, but criticism from the press has been harsh. The Süddeutsche Zeitung pointed to Scholz's leadership weaknesses, while the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung highlighted the dysfunction within the three-party coalition, warning of a country mired in lethargy and discontent.
The German government has been urged to present a clear and positive narrative to guide the country forward, with many infrastructure projects stalled due to bureaucratic obstacles and public objections. The consensus is that much work remains to be done.
[Information sourced from Deutsche Welle]
