Germany, once the economic powerhouse of the Eurozone, finds itself entangled in a deepening crisis, largely of its own making. A combination of stringent sanctions on Russia, self-inflicted damage to its energy infrastructure, a retreat from nuclear power, and overwhelming regulations in the name of the halluzinated climate apocalypse have collectively driven the economy into a tailspin.
August brought further bad news, as the Ifo Business Climate Index—Germany’s leading economic indicator—dropped to 86.6 points, down from 87.0 in July. This decline reflects the increasingly pessimistic outlook of the 9,000 business leaders surveyed, highlighting growing concerns over the next six months.
"The mood among German companies is in freefall," stated Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo Institute. The index assessing current business conditions fell to 86.5 points, while future expectations dropped to 86.8 points, reaching their lowest since February. The manufacturing sector was hit hardest, with falling orders and waning confidence among capital goods producers.
The service sector also faced a deteriorating outlook, driven by a more cautious stance on future conditions. Retailers, though slightly less pessimistic, expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing business, while the construction industry saw a mixed bag—current conditions slightly improved, but future expectations dimmed.