Germany's Economy Stalls, Contracts for First Time in Years Amid Industrial Decline and Budget Cut Protests
• Germany's economy contracted 0.3% last year, the worst performance among Euro countries
• Industrial production has fallen for 5 straight months
• The economy is at a "standstill" with little chance of quick recovery in 2024
• Farmers and train engineers have protested in anger over proposed budget cuts and pay
• As an industrial powerhouse after WWII, Germany has long been Europe's main economic growth engine