German business associations in talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the “urgency” of steps to help the ailing economy, one group said Tuesday, with reports describing a stormy encounter.

Merz has made boosting Europe’s biggest economy a priority but critics charge that, after four months in power, his government is moving too slowly and not living up to its promises of reform.

During a meeting Monday with leaders of Germany’s four top business associations, Merz faced a dressing-down for failing to take strong action in areas ranging from welfare reform to tackling onerous red tape, tabloid Bild reported.

None of the groups present commented on the details of the meeting, which took place behind closed doors.

A spokeswoman for leading industry federation the BDI told AFP that

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