Germany's businesses frustrated by economic decline
Key takeaways
- No one had higher hopes for Friedrich Merz's chancellorship than the German business community.
- After all, before returning to politics, Merz had made his fortune in the business world.
- As a candidate for chancellor, Merz promised that there would be no more "left-wing politics in Germany," and shortly after taking office, he called for greater economic efficiency.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
No one had higher hopes for Friedrich Merz's chancellorship than the German business community. Now, however, early euphoria has given way to bitter disappointment.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DUWx The German economy is in crisit mode, with many businesses fearing insolvency Image: MICHAEL BIHLMAYER/CHROMORANGE/picture alliance / Advertisement When Friedrich Merz came to office in May 2025, corporate boardrooms were abuzz with hope. As he ascended to the chancellorship, the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) promised nothing less than an "economic turning point." With him at the helm, he declared, every political decision would be preceded by the question: Will this benefit Germany's economic competitiveness?
It certainly sounded plausible. After all, before returning to politics, Merz had made his fortune in the business world. For four years, he served as chairman of BlackRock's supervisory board in Germany, and he wrote a book entitled "Dare to Embrace More Capitalism."