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Booming budget surplus raises pressure on Germany
Germany posted its biggest budget surplus since reunification in the first half of 2014, underscoring the strength of its finances at a time it faces growing pressure to loosen the fiscal reins and spend more to bolster growth in Europe. The budget figures came as a detailed breakdown of German gross domestic product (GDP) data showed that a sharp decline in capital investments contributed to a 0.2 percent contraction in the second quarter, further ammunition for critics who say Germany must do more to boost spending. "In other European countries the figures will give confirmation to those who expect more fiscal ... (full story)