Covid in Germany: the recession will be less worse than expected, according to Peter Altmaier

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier.

AP Photo / Markus Schreiber

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Germany will be able to avoid a new phase of generalized containment despite a surge in the number of infections, said Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Tuesday.

The recession will be less worse than expected according to the minister.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

Nathalie Versieux

The government has slightly revised upwards its GDP growth forecasts for 2020. Berlin is now betting on a fall of 5.8% of GDP instead of the 6.3% initially forecast.

“ 

We've hit bottom,

” said Peter Altmaier.

Since May, there has been a clear recovery in the economy, whether in services, commerce or industry. 

"

In 2021, on the other hand, the recovery should be worse than expected, with a growth rate of 4.4%.

By early 2021, industrial production is expected to have returned to pre-crisis levels, according to forecasts.

Unemployment, for its part, remained stable at 6.4% in August.

As for health developments, Berlin is also optimistic.

Admittedly, the number of new cases has increased with the return of the holidays, but the government is hopeful that it will be possible to avoid a new phase of confinement, while respecting health rules.

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  • Germany

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