Germany’s gas stores stood at just 61.35% on 30 October, well short of its 1 November target, prompting the storage industry to call for stricter filling rules before winter.
Tens of thousands of young Germans took to the streets in more than 30 cities on Saturday, but turnout fell well short of organisers’ hopes and the day ended with water cannon in Cologne, fireworks in Frankfurt and barricades burning in Hamburg.
More than 160,000 people are expected to join youth-led demonstrations in 34 German cities on Saturday, demanding better education and lower living costs, as authorities prepare for a largely peaceful day while warning against attempts to exploit the movement.
The euro zone economy grew 0.4% in the third quarter, twice the pace forecast by economists, as investment and household spending held up despite expensive energy — though France contracted and the European Central Bank warns tougher months may lie ahead.
Germany’s inflation rate eased to 2.8% in October, below expectations, as energy price rises slowed and core inflation cooled, according to provisional official figures.
