German language increasingly popular in Europe (South and East Europe in particular)

From here today in German:

The German language is experiencing a renaissance in Europe. After years of stagnating numbers the Goethe-Institut is showing a dramatically increased interest in the German language among young people in South and East Europe...the greatest increase is that in the Goethe-Instituts in Madrid and Barcelona, with up to 70% more than a year before, but also in Ireland and Hungary there is an increase of 10% and 30% in the number of students. In Greece German is becoming more popular, with every second high school student choosing it as their second foreign language. Ten years ago this was only one in five.