Reinhold Würth, founder of the global leader in assembly and fastening materials, the Würth Group, declares Germany's "golden years" from 1945 to 2026, characterized by peace and prosperity, are over. He attributes this shift to a generational change since the millennium, where Germans now prioritize a comfortable life over career advancement, leading to a decline in work ethic and international competitiveness. Würth argues that excessive wage demands from unions have made German production costs up to 50% higher than in other EU countries, fueling deindustrialization. Despite this stark outlook, he sees potential opportunities in electronics, IT, and artificial intelligence, urging Germany to innovate in AI and foster national unity to overcome these challenges and prevent a global conflict.