Germany's weak economy begins to drag down it's neighbours

A lot of EU countries are essentially satellites of Germany, which is the great engine of the EU's economy.

So when Germany slows, the satellite economies which supply parts to German manufacturers also slow

Here is German GDP over the last four quarters:

Q1 2023: -0.3%
Q4 2022: -0.5%
Q3 2022: +0.5%
Q2 2022: -0.1%

This is what is happening to the Czech Republic:

Q1 2023: -0.4%
Q4 2022: -0.4%
Q3 2022: -0.3%

And this is what is happening to Hungary:

Q1 2023: -0.2%
Q4 2022: -0.6%
Q3 2022: -0.8%

And the Netherlands:

Q1 2023: -0.7%
Q4 2022: +0.4%
Q3 2022: -0.2%