The chronic lateness of Germany's long-distance trains has shattered the nation's self-image of efficiency and punctuality. For many Germans, the rail system's decline is a tangible, daily reminder of a broader national malaise and a loss of faith in the state's ability to function effectively.
Contrary to expectations of radical change, Giorgia Meloni has maintained stability by avoiding major actions that could upset the public or her coalition. This calculated lack of activity is a key reason for her government's endurance in a typically volatile political landscape.
Prime Minister Meloni's government has benefited from a massive influx of cash from a previous administration's home improvement scheme and EU recovery funds. This "tidal wave of money" has propped up the economy, masking a lack of growth and potential future vulnerabilities.
The unreliability of Germany's national rail service is so widespread and well-known that it has become a socially acceptable, no-questions-asked excuse for being late. This shared misery has created an ironic social lubricant, as nearly everyone has personally experienced the problem.