Overview

• ZDH president Jörg Dittrich reports widespread dissatisfaction in the craft sector and says the promised mood upswing has not materialized.
• Dittrich argues the 'Wachstumsbooster' misses the realities of small and energy‑intensive firms and that the curtailed electricity tax cut has damaged planning certainty.
• The coalition committee’s decision not to lower the power tax for all is labeled a broken promise after many businesses had factored the relief into investment plans.
• Discontent is described as especially strong in rural areas, where gaps in schools, childcare, and local public transport fuel frustration.
• Dittrich warns rising minimum wages together with social costs and VAT will make services pricier, risking unaffordable offerings for some customers, and notes AfD support could grow within the sector without providing specific data.