The President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Peter Leibinger, revealed a significantly negative and increasingly aggressive mood within German businesses towards the government. Speaking to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, he noted that while the government initially started well, it lost momentum over the summer, leaving ongoing issues unresolved. Leibinger expressed that many companies are profoundly disappointed, describing the situation as unprecedented in his experience.

He emphasized that bureaucracy, limited working hours, and a lack of flexibility are major factors hindering progress. Furthermore, Leibinger warned that the industrial core of Germany is at risk as China replicates the German business model but operates more cheaply and with much greater speed. This challenging environment, according to the BDI chief, demands changes to preserve Germany’s industrial competitiveness.