Looming over the election in Europe’s biggest economy, as elsewhere, is uncertainty over how much more disruption the pandemic will cause - and small business owners are especially hoping a new leader might help them avoid a repeat of the pain of the last 18 months.īut they are also interested in how the next chancellor will guide efforts to rebuild areas hit by flash floods in July and address unfinished business from the Merkel era - such as improving Germany’s internet and cellphone service or reducing its onerous bureaucracy.Īt the Kanow Mill in Golssen, in the rural, eastern state of Brandenburg, owner Christian Berendt is grateful for the financial support his seventh-generation family vegetable oil business has received as part of efforts by authorities to strengthen local business.īut, while he said that parts of the formerly communist east have developed well, many rural areas there and across the country still need help.
