German GDP up slightly, but deficit totals 4% of GDP
Germany's final gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.5% in the second quarter from the first quarter of this year.
The final figures, which were in line with preliminary data released on August 12, showed the slight recovery in the economy seen in the fourth quarter last year and in the first quarter this year has continued in April-June.
However, Germany's public deficit came to 4% of GDP in the first six months of the current year, well above the EU limit of 3%.
Year-on-year, second quarter GDP showed a 2.0% rise in real terms, the the Federal Statistiscs Office said.
Meanwhile, Germany may decide to scrap one and two cent euro coins from circulation, in part as a cost-cutting measure, financial daily Handelsblatt has reported.
The newspaper quoted Wolfgang Soeffner, the Bundesbank's head of circulation, as saying: "We could imagine a solution of this kind for Germany".
Finland has already rounded up or down all retail prices to the nearest five cents.
The smallest two coin denominations now cost more to produce and transport than their nominal value, following recent sharp rises in the price of steel.
