German weekly Der Spiegel, citing ministry experts, reports that the 2009 growth forecast for Germany is to be slashed to 0.5% from 1.2%. The Government is scheduled to publish its next economic forecasts on October 16. The authorities today moved to downplay the speculation, saying “there is not yet an official forecast.” However it should be noted that last month Germany’s Economy Minister Michael Glos said he could not rule out revising down growth estimates for 2009.