Financial Times FT.com

German government

Former allies find common ground in snap polls

By Bertrand Benoit in Berlin and David Pilling in Tokyo

Published: September 6 2005 18:17 | Last updated: September 6 2005 18:17

Question: Which of the world’s biggest economies is holding an early election this month dominated by debate over radical economic reforms?

Two clues: The economy, long in the doldrums, is showing signs of life, thanks to improving exports and a restructured private sector. An ageing population is making structural reform an urgent priority.

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