Macron urges Germany to overcome ‘fetish’ for budget surpluses

Aachen (Germany) (AFP) – France’s President Emmanuel Macron urged Germany on Thursday to look past its “fetish” for budget and trade surpluses, so as to bring about necessary reforms in Europe.

“In Germany, there cannot be a perpetual fetish for budget and trade surpluses, because they are achieved at the expense of others,” said Macron in Aachen, where he was awarded the prestigious Charlemagne prize for his efforts in boosting EU cohesion and integration.