A promised turnaround in economic sentiment by summer, as suggested by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, appears not to have materialized, according to assessments from Germany’s skilled trades sector.
Jörg Dittrich, President of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), told the Monday edition of “Bild” that while data indicates a slight uptick in confidence, he would characterize it more as “hope” rather than genuine confidence. He further stated that the government’s recently approved economic stimulus package is largely bypassing the needs of craft businesses.
Dittrich was particularly critical of the delayed implementation of a promised reduction in electricity tax, describing it as eroding trust and generating considerable frustration within the sector. “There’s a lot of anger among many people and I’m receiving numerous calls about this” he told “Bild”.
When questioned about whether dissatisfaction might be driving increased support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party among craftspeople, Dittrich acknowledged the sector’s size as a broad societal group. “If the AfD’s share of the vote is growing, then that will also be reflected within the craft sector. I don’t have specific statistics on this, but it would be illogical to assume otherwise” he stated. He emphasized the need to understand the underlying causes, noting that the strongest expressions of anger are currently coming from rural areas. Dittrich highlighted concerns about the adequacy of local infrastructure and services – schools, childcare facilities and public transportation – in these regions, calling for renewed focus on ensuring essential provisions for citizens.