Rafael Mentges
@rafaelmentges.bsky.social
Economist interested in macroeconomics, monetary policy, and Banking.
I have a second profile that is more focused on everything around space, so don't get confused ;)
I have a second profile that is more focused on everything around space, so don't get confused ;)
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
EU’s biggest political group bets on far-right support to cut green rules
Push to slash red tape drives an ever-bigger wedge between Europe’s traditional centrist coalition.
www.politico.eu
November 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Grüne fragen nach Raumfahrt-Plänen der Bundesregierung
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
Grüne fragen nach Raumfahrt-Plänen der Bundesregierung
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
www.bundestag.de
October 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Grüne fragen nach Raumfahrt-Plänen der Bundesregierung
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
"The bank has started talks with the building’s owner, Samsung SRA Asset Management, over options that could lead to it extending its lease or leaving when it expires in 2032, according to two people familiar with the matter."
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
Commerzbank could leave landmark Frankfurt HQ as it embarks on cost-cutting drive
German lender in talks with building owner Samsung SRA about its future in country’s tallest building
on.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM
"The bank has started talks with the building’s owner, Samsung SRA Asset Management, over options that could lead to it extending its lease or leaving when it expires in 2032, according to two people familiar with the matter."
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
The best way to get wider global USD adoption is to get rid of Trump!
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
US pushes for wider global dollar adoption
Officials in Washington explore how to encourage more countries to adopt greenback as their primary currency
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The best way to get wider global USD adoption is to get rid of Trump!
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
"Only about 5,000 of the 15,000 or more private capital firms that exist today had successfully raised funds in the past seven years, Per Franzén, chief executive of Sweden’s EQT, told the Financial Times."
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
Private capital zombie firms will pile up in next decade, says EQT chief
Per Franzén says inability to raise fresh funds may leave many firms only managing existing investments in coming decade
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:52 AM
"Only about 5,000 of the 15,000 or more private capital firms that exist today had successfully raised funds in the past seven years, Per Franzén, chief executive of Sweden’s EQT, told the Financial Times."
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Once again, the arsonist demands praise for his firefighting skills www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Trump Meets With Xi, Declares Immediate Cut to Tariffs
The leaders’ first face-to-face summit in six years offered relief to both sides, while the high-stakes rivalry between the U.S. and China carries on.
www.wsj.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Once again, the arsonist demands praise for his firefighting skills www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Ernste Frage: Wer will 2035 noch Verbrenner kaufen?
October 29, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Ernste Frage: Wer will 2035 noch Verbrenner kaufen?
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Wenn das Baerbock passiert wäre, würde Deutschland wochenlang darüber reden wie unfähig sie doch sei.
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
Diplomatischer Eklat: Wadephul sagt China-Reise erstmal ab – DW – 24.10.2025
Eiszeit zwischen Peking und Berlin: Eigentlich sollte Bundesaußenminister Johann Wadephul am Wochenende nach China fliegen. Diese Reise ist nun vom Tisch. Offenbar fehlt derzeit die gemeinsame Basis f...
www.dw.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Wenn das Baerbock passiert wäre, würde Deutschland wochenlang darüber reden wie unfähig sie doch sei.
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
"With almost exuberant joy, #Merz announced after the summit that all EU leaders had voted in favor of signing the #Mercosur deal.
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Kanzler-Ausrutscher in Brüssel
Präsentiert von YouTube Von HANS VON DER BURCHARD Mit PAULINE VON PEZOLD PRÄSENTIERT VON Schicken Sie uns Ihre Tipps hier, hier oder hier | X @GordonRepinski @vonderburchard @R_Buchsteiner | Das Pl…
www.politico.eu
October 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
"With almost exuberant joy, #Merz announced after the summit that all EU leaders had voted in favor of signing the #Mercosur deal.
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
IMF: “Valuation models show risk asset prices well above fundamentals, raising the risk of sharp corrections,”
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
Bubble-talk is breaking out everywhere
But more optimistic investors continue to bank on the cavalry arriving if things get really dicey
on.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:57 AM
IMF: “Valuation models show risk asset prices well above fundamentals, raising the risk of sharp corrections,”
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
October 17, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
FT Investigation: How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto. Some great work here www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
FT Investigation: How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto
The president and his family have built a rapidly growing digital assets empire which has been fuelled by the administration’s industry-friendly policies
www.ft.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:19 AM
FT Investigation: How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto. Some great work here www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
"Lithium-ion battery costs have also fallen — by 90 per cent since 2010 — a drop that Artem Abramov, deputy head of research at energy consultancy Rystad, says is likely to continue."
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
How mega batteries are unlocking an energy revolution
Vast battery units are shoring up grids and extending the use of clean power
ig.ft.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:10 AM
"Lithium-ion battery costs have also fallen — by 90 per cent since 2010 — a drop that Artem Abramov, deputy head of research at energy consultancy Rystad, says is likely to continue."
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
I wrote about Peter Thiel’s lectures on the Antichrist and how the fact that there’s a strong chance Thiel thinks Greta Thunberg is the literal Antichrist isn’t even the weirdest thing about them — at the @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/technology/n...
Peter Thiel’s off-the-record antichrist lectures reveal more about him than Armageddon
Silicon Valley titan desperately tries to detach self from power in amateurish talks attempting to ape his favorite philosopher
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I wrote about Peter Thiel’s lectures on the Antichrist and how the fact that there’s a strong chance Thiel thinks Greta Thunberg is the literal Antichrist isn’t even the weirdest thing about them — at the @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/technology/n...
Es gibt ja viele Gesetze bei denen man sich über Notwendigkeit und Auswirkungen streiten kann, aber dass Veggie-Wurst Verbot ist einfach nur dumm! Es hat keinen anderen Zweck als die andere Seite anzupassen. Es ist die europäische Version von "own the libs".
October 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Es gibt ja viele Gesetze bei denen man sich über Notwendigkeit und Auswirkungen streiten kann, aber dass Veggie-Wurst Verbot ist einfach nur dumm! Es hat keinen anderen Zweck als die andere Seite anzupassen. Es ist die europäische Version von "own the libs".
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Die Asylzahlen sinken seit Ende 2023 aus geopolitischen Gründen. Dennoch behauptet die Merz-Regierung, es läge an ihrer rechten Politik, die viel kostet und nichts bringt, außer die AfD zu stärken. www.volksverpetzer.de/analyse/bund...
So wenig Einfluss hat die Bundesregierung auf sinkende Asylzahlen
Die Asylzahlen sinken seit 2023 aus geopolitischen Gründen. Dennoch behauptet die Merz-Regierung, es läge an ihrer rechten Politik, die viel kostet und nichts bringt, außer die AfD zu stärken.
www.volksverpetzer.de
October 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Die Asylzahlen sinken seit Ende 2023 aus geopolitischen Gründen. Dennoch behauptet die Merz-Regierung, es läge an ihrer rechten Politik, die viel kostet und nichts bringt, außer die AfD zu stärken. www.volksverpetzer.de/analyse/bund...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
What explains the rising turnout in recent EP elections?
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
October 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
What explains the rising turnout in recent EP elections?
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
The Franco-German motor needs some gas (and some nuclear)
In depth - The Franco-German motor needs some gas (and some nuclear) - Contexte
Over the summer, a joint summit of Franco-German leaders suggested they were trying to repair long-standing divisions over the role of nuclear energy. Yet just months after the deal, confusion reigns: Paris boasts about a “historic” agreement in favour of low-carbon energy, while Berlin is walking on eggshells. Political turbulence in Paris, and the need for Germany to gain support for its own gas-powered plans, are only making the situation more complex.
www.contexte.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
The Franco-German motor needs some gas (and some nuclear)
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Cyprus shifts West in defence procurement strategy
Cyprus shifts West in defence procurement strategy
The military parade marking Cyprus’ Independence Day has once again brought defence policy into sharp ...
eualive.net
October 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Cyprus shifts West in defence procurement strategy
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Must read insiders account of critical NATO meeting with European leaders by Jens Stoltenberg. So many political memoirs pull their punches. This one looks like it does not
“I’m leaving this meeting. There’s no reason for me to be here any more,” Trump said
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
“I’m leaving this meeting. There’s no reason for me to be here any more,” Trump said
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘I’m leaving,’ Trump said. ‘There’s no reason to be here any more’: inside the meeting that brought Nato to the brink
Former secretary general Jens Stoltenberg recalls the rollercoaster ride of dealing with Donald Trump – and how close the US president brought the alliance to the point of collapse
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Must read insiders account of critical NATO meeting with European leaders by Jens Stoltenberg. So many political memoirs pull their punches. This one looks like it does not
“I’m leaving this meeting. There’s no reason for me to be here any more,” Trump said
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
“I’m leaving this meeting. There’s no reason for me to be here any more,” Trump said
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Kein Plan was erwartet wurde, aber ich finde die Ergebnisse immernoch sehr enttäuschend.
Hab kein Bock in einer Stadt zu wohnen in der mind. Jeder fünfte Faschisten wählt!
Hab kein Bock in einer Stadt zu wohnen in der mind. Jeder fünfte Faschisten wählt!
Der angebliche „Durchmarsch“ der AfD bei den Kommunalwahl in NRW sieht heute übrigens so aus.
Baden gegangen.
Baden gegangen.
September 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Kein Plan was erwartet wurde, aber ich finde die Ergebnisse immernoch sehr enttäuschend.
Hab kein Bock in einer Stadt zu wohnen in der mind. Jeder fünfte Faschisten wählt!
Hab kein Bock in einer Stadt zu wohnen in der mind. Jeder fünfte Faschisten wählt!
Ex-Fed chairs including Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan, as well as top economic officials from Republican and Democrats urge Supreme Court to deny Donald Trump’s bid to remove Lisa Cook.
Good but not sure that's still helpful these times.
Good but not sure that's still helpful these times.
Ex-Fed chiefs urge Supreme Court to deny Donald Trump’s bid to remove Lisa Cook
Top officials from across political spectrum warn president’s move would jeopardise central bank’s independence
on.ft.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Ex-Fed chairs including Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan, as well as top economic officials from Republican and Democrats urge Supreme Court to deny Donald Trump’s bid to remove Lisa Cook.
Good but not sure that's still helpful these times.
Good but not sure that's still helpful these times.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Ominous.
Breaking News: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is summoning U.S. generals worldwide for a meeting without saying why, causing anxiety in the military’s top ranks. The large number of generals in attendance, including those working active conflict zones, is without recent precedent, officials said.
Live Updates: Trump Threatens Mass Firings, Hegseth Summons Military Leaders and More
nyti.ms
September 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Ominous.