The steep rise in oil and food prices seen until recently, which prevented a pickup in private consumption, was the main reason behind the weak second quarter. We now see a pause in growth in Germany, but not a recession. Nonetheless, this is not the time for a stimulus package. What would help would be tax relief for those on lower and middle earnings. These tax cuts should be financed by stretching out the budget consolidation process. Additional spending from windfall tax revenues in 2007 and 2008 should also be scrutinized. / Only available in German.