German economy is not in recession, ministry says, after second quarter contraction

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany is not in recession, a spokeswoman for the Economy Ministry said on Friday, after Europe's largest economy contracted by 0.1% in the second quarter.

A technical recession is normally defined as at least two quarters of contraction in a row.

"We are not currently in a recession," the spokeswoman told a news conference. "Now is the time to ensure growth via wise growth policies."

(Reporting by Michelle Martin and Tassilo Hummel, editing by Thomas Escritt)