Germany GDP notches upward, France stays flat

Euro zone GDP fell 0.2% in the second quarter, casting more gloom than hope on the region. The German economy ended the quarter with better-than-expected GDP growth figures (+0.3%), but indicators suggest that the nation's productivity will contract this summer.

France, for its part, has kept its GDP stable as it finishes a third straight quarter of flat growth. The hard truth that is getting closer and closer to these two economic superpowers is that half of the euro zone's 17 nations are in the middle of a recession. Germany must understand that it is in the same boat and runs the risk of catching the contagion. At the Eurogroup meeting to be held at the beginning of September, leaders need to adopt measures that recharge growth in Europe.