Robert Habeck

Minister of Economy Robert Habeck stated that the economic situation in Germany is exceptionally challenging during the presentation of the significantly lowered new government forecast for growth this year. The German government has adjusted its projection for economic growth in 2024 downward, from 1.3% to 0.2%.

Weaker exports, costly energy and a stuttering green transition have combined to form a "perfect storm" for the German economy, leaving Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition bickering over how to change course.

The government will unveil its latest economic forecasts for 2024 on Wednesday, with media reports suggesting a sharp downgrade to a mere 0.2 percent growth.

According to the results of the survey, the social democratic head of government is favored by only 19 percent of respondents.
According to the ARD/Infratest public opinion survey, Scholz has one percent less support than in December, which is the lowest value in the Infratest survey on the popularity of a federal chancellor since 1997.

At a tense meeting of representatives of the federal authorities, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with the prime ministers of 16 German states, a resolution was agreed upon, in which it is written that "the Federal Government will investigate whether the determination of the protection status of refugees can be carried out during their transit in third countries".

The bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Germany is expected to surpass $50 billion at the end of this year, top Turkish officials have said.

Germany's Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck and an accompanying delegation were in Türkiye this week for high-level talks.

Habeck met with Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.

Germany, France and Italy have said they would cooperate more closely on the procurement of raw materials as Europe seeks to reduce its reliance on imports from countries such as China.

"Better diversification of our raw material supply is economic security," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a statement.

German Economy and Energy Minister Robert Habeck made a surprise visit to Kiev yesterday to discuss Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.    

A ministry spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Habeck had arrived in the Ukrainian capital but declined to give further details, citing "security reasons".    

Germany has said it would keep two nuclear plants on standby beyond the end of the year in a policy U-turn, as the shut-off of Russian gas supplies sends Europe scrambling for energy sources.    

Germany, which fears a shortage of gas, this winter will limit heating in public buildings with a thermostat that will not be able to exceed 19 degrees, announced the Minister of Economy Robert Habeck.

The environmentalist Habeck, who is also the climate minister, already in July presented energy saving measures.

German households are bracing for higher-than-usual bills this winter as energy companies pass on the price of gas, which has risen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The bill for a typical household could double from October 1, Germany's RheinEnergie group warned in a statement on Monday - the first major supplier to provide a detailed estimate, AFP reported.