Weakening German economy: Wagenknecht criticizes “economic gift” Habeck

In light of discouraging data from the German labor market, BSW chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht has launched a full-scale verbal attack on German economic policy. She calls Robert Habeck a “gift”.

Nuremberg – Against the background of newly published figures on the German labor market, BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht loudly railed against the current economic policy in Germany and especially against Economics Minister Robert Habeck. “The fact that the worst economics minister in the history of the Federal Republic will be in office for several more months is poison for the economy,” she said in response to a new announcement from the Federal Employment Agency (BA). IPPEN.MEDIA. In your opinion it is urgently needed “Anti-crisis program for Germany in order to improve the economic situation and keep jobs in the Federal Republic.

Unemployment figures fall slightly in November: “Must be an alarm signal”

According to the BA, the number of unemployed in Germany fell by 17,000 to 2.774 million in November compared to the previous month – but that is 168,000 more unemployed than in November 2023. “168,000 more unemployed than a year ago must be an alarm signal,” it said Wagenknecht said it in her statement. According to the former left-wing politician, particularly well-paid jobs in industry are “acutely threatened”. Wagenknecht founded the BSW in January 2024 and immediately celebrated considerable electoral successes at state and European level. However, in the current federal election campaign, the party, which is often criticized as populist and pro-Putin, suffered several setbacks in the polls.

Bitter forecast for 2025: “There could be over three million unemployed”

The unemployment rate fell by 0.1 points to 5.9 percent compared to October. In November 2023, the rate was lower at 5.6 percent. Last year, however, the scandal only created a minimum of 1,000 jobs between October and November. The need for workers has also fallen noticeably in Germany. For the November statistics, the Federal Agency used data that was available up to the 13th of the month.

“The economic weakness continues to weigh on the labor market. Unemployment and underemployment did decrease in November; “However, as in the previous month, the declines were small,” said BA CEO Andrea Nahles. She brought sobering insights into unemployment next year: Next spring it could happen that “we will have over three million (unemployed people),” explained Nahles in September.

Short-time work is increasing: the state has to step in with hundreds of millions of euros

Short-time work has increased significantly. In September – more recent reliable data is not available – the Federal Agency paid out short-time work benefits to 268,000 employees. In August there were 175,000 and in July 194,000. In November, applications for 64,000 more were added by the 25th of the month. However, it is not yet certain whether these will actually be used. Overall, short-time work this year was significantly higher than expected – the Federal Agency had to pay out 726 million euros in short-time work benefits. That is more than twice as much as was budgeted. (lf, with material from dpa)