Economy

Germany’s Growth
Source: Germany raises growth forecast

The German government is sharply raising its growth forecast for this year and also revising the outlook upward for next year, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government now expects the economy to grow by 1.3 percent this year, up from the 0.5 percent projected in April. For 2027, the forecast is being raised from 0.9 to 1.1 percent.

Growth is expected to slow to 0.6 percent in 2028. 

EU Crisis Package
Winding up the coronavirus fund – Sweden receives final allocation

The EU fund established to support member states during the pandemic is now being wound down. A total of €573 billion—equivalent to approximately SEK 6,500 billion—has been drawn from the so-called coronavirus fund.

For Sweden, two final disbursements totaling around SEK 20 billion are pending. The total amount for Sweden will come to approximately SEK 40 billion.

"Today, as the final payment requests are submitted, we see tangible evidence of what the EU can achieve when we act together with ambition and unity," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. 

ECB vs. Inflation
ECB chief may leave early – does not want to become president

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is open to leaving before her term expires in October next year. She stated this in an interview with the newspaper *La Croix*, Bloomberg reports. Expectations that the ECB chief might step down early recently rose after she revealed that her memoirs are set for release in January. Bloomberg has also reported that the World Economic Forum wants her as its new head and that she appears ready to accept the offer.

When asked about speculation that she might run in next year’s French presidential election, she replied:

"That would not be a good idea at all."