Lower Saxony’s leader warns of economic storms ahead in 2026

A stark warning from Olaf Lies: Germany’s economic future hinges on trust and hard work. Can business and politics unite before the storm hits?

, and Administrator

2026 January 13 . 7:18 AM

1 min read

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Minister President Prepares Economy for Challenging Year - Lower Saxony’s leader warns of economic storms ahead in 2026

Lower Saxony’s Minister-President Olaf Lies has warned of tough economic and political challenges in the coming year. Speaking to business leaders in Hanover, he stressed that 2026 would demand hard work and reliable cooperation between government and industry.

Lies, who took over from Stephan Weil earlier this year, leads the SPD in Lower Saxony—a powerful state branch that includes Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. His speech highlighted the need for trust and stable political frameworks to tackle upcoming difficulties.

The SPD politician cautioned against complacency, insisting that progress would not happen automatically. Instead, he called for focused action to ensure the business overcomes its hurdles. Lies has previously pushed for better unity in German politics, criticising infighting in both the current black-red coalition and the previous Ampel government. His remarks also touched on inter-state collaboration, an area where he has worked with figures like Bavaria’s Markus Söder. Lies made clear that 2026 must become a year of economic resilience, with policymakers and business leaders working together to find solutions.

The Minister-President’s address set a firm tone for the months ahead. His call for dependable frameworks and collective effort reflects the scale of the challenges facing Lower Saxony and Germany. Business leaders and politicians will now need to align their strategies to meet these demands.