Abstract (Translated):
The German economy has been suffering from multiple crises in recent years. This is regularly reflected in the outcome of leading economic indicators, such as the monthly "IMK Konjunkturindikator". Structural developments are difficult to identify in such an environment. However, the German economy's dominant "business model" for much of the 2000s, which consisted of strong export-led growth, appears to have come under pressure not only in the automotive industry. Rather, competition from China is also being felt in large parts of the machine building and electrical industries. Without a significant increase in public investment in Germany and a consistent European industrial policy, there is little hope that the secondary sector will be able to provide an economic stimulus to overcome the current stagnation in Germany.