10.09.2026 - "The ECB's interest rate hike, given the still prevailing price pressures, is certainly understandable but poses significant challenges for numerous businesses. Inflation in the Eurozone has recently surged above 3 percent. The price increases largely stem from the shock crisis in the Middle East rather than any internal economic dynamics. Nonetheless, the ECB's move is a necessary measure to control rising prices and costs promptly.

Higher interest rates might increase the costs of financing essential investments, particularly affecting medium-sized businesses aiming to invest in new machinery, digitalisation, AI utilisation, energy efficiency, and fundamentally the transformation of their business models. It is now more urgent than ever for the German government to finally implement measures that stimulate investments and growth in the country. This includes the overdue market-based orientation of energy policy, faster execution of internationally competitive corporate taxation, and the concrete implementation of the proposed package of measures to reduce bureaucracy and modernise our administrations. While the ECB can address inflationary tendencies, overcoming the growth weakness will be the responsibility of the German government."