GERMANY - Germany is the largest economy in the European Union, which means that political and economic developments in the country have reverberations across Europe. In the coming months, economic risk and, to a much lesser extent, political risk in Germany will contribute to a generalized slowing down of EU economies. This will force Berlin, as well as other national governments and EU institutions, to introduce measures to minimize the impact. Considering the political constraints Germany faces at home, as well as the many headwinds it faces abroad, there's a good chance the country's economy will continue to cool in the months ahead — fueling more political dilemmas in both Berlin and Brussels, while adding to Europe's greater economic woes in the process.