IG Metall mobilizes tens of thousands as German auto crisis deepens, hits Merz camp

IG Metall has called for mobilization across Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and suppliers after VW cut its 2026 forecasts, escalating labor unrest in Germany's auto sector. The action follows two major electoral setbacks for Chancellor Merz's conservative camp, linking economic distress to political vulnerability. The scale of participation and potential production impact remain uncertain, but the convergence of industrial and political pressure signals heightened instability for Germany's growth outlook.