In light of the federal government’s revised, lower growth forecast for 2026, the Left parliamentary group leader Heidi Reichinnek has accused Schwarz‑Rot of blocking the necessary economic turnaround. Reichinnek wrote in the “Rheinische Post” that the “summer miracle” promised by the chancellor has yet to materialise and is unlikely to do so this year.
She added that it is no surprise that Katherina Reiche has now had to downgrade the 2026 growth outlook. Reichinnek argues that the government has failed to provide significant stimuli for a genuine reversal of the economic trend. Instead of strengthening the economy with clear mandates and investments, she claims the administration is showering large corporations with tax breaks.
Reichinnek also called on the government to increase public investment in social housing. She says such spending would not only aid the construction sector and create secure, more jobs, but would also benefit other struggling industries such as steel, which urgently needs support. She believes these measures would finally enable people to afford their rent again. Additionally, she called for an income‑tax reform aimed at relieving smaller and middle‑income households.
The federal government now projects only a 1.0 % rise in economic output for the current year, down from the higher estimate announced in the fall.