Overview

• Recent surveys reveal that 31% of metal and electronics companies in North Rhine-Westphalia plan to cut jobs in the next six months, reflecting deepening economic concerns.
• 40% of companies in the sector expect declining business performance, with only 5% anticipating improvement in the near future.
• SPD leaders, including Lars Klingbeil and Achim Post, are urging swift measures such as reducing electricity grid fees to alleviate energy costs and protect jobs.
• The SPD has proposed long-term strategies like the 'Made in Germany' premium and infrastructure investments to boost industrial competitiveness.
• Industry representatives warn of a prolonged crisis, citing a 45,800 job loss in 2024 and forecasting further declines in production and employment for 2025.