BGA president Dirk Jandura noted that small and medium enterprises have lost faith in political leadership amid these challenges.

The BGA has forecasted a 2.7% decrease in turnover compared to 2024, painting a bleak picture for the German economy.

A significant 80% of German businesses engaged in international trade anticipate a decline in sales for the upcoming year, as reported by the BGA trade association.

This downturn in foreign trade is projected to have repercussions on the labor market, with 30% of surveyed companies indicating plans for job cuts.

The survey further revealed a concerning trend of declining orders, reduced investments, and an increase in insolvencies across Germany.

In fact, two-thirds of wholesalers reported falling sales in the latter half of 2024, with 40% expecting additional declines in 2025.

Highlighting the economic uncertainty, 36% of companies in the sector invested less in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Jandura stressed the necessity for a policy shift following the upcoming elections to tackle these economic hurdles, advocating for infrastructure investment and more business-friendly conditions.

The exporters' association also predicts stagnation in wholesale trade for 2025, estimating a nominal decline of 0.5% year-on-year.

Metaphorically, Jandura described the current state of foreign trade as being 'stuck in the tunnel, but without light,' underscoring the severity of the economic slowdown.

With elections scheduled for February 23, 2025, economic revival is emerging as a pivotal issue in the campaign.

Adding to the economic pressures, U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could further jeopardize the German economy, prompting Jandura to advise a calm assessment of the situation.