German Leaders Criticize Coalition’s Economic Policy Amid Mittelstand Protest

Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer warned that the red‑black coalition’s recent measures are insufficient to reverse Germany’s economic slowdown. He called for comprehensive reforms in energy, climate policy and regulation, arguing that current steps only provide "first steps" and do not restore competitiveness or stop the loss of 100,000 industrial jobs per year.

At the same time, Michael Kretzer stepped down as chair of the Mittelstandsvereinigung Hof in Bavaria and withdrew his support from the CSU, denouncing what he called "mid‑size‑hostile" policies. Kretzer and commentator Alexander Horn said the current economic agenda is eroding the German Mittelstand and that a different political majority would be needed to reverse the trend.

Both figures of the business‑political establishment see the coalition’s agenda as failing to protect the country’s core industrial base and demand a stronger, growth‑oriented policy response.