The outlook for the German public deficit has worsened sharply and the government will have to change its forecast accordingly, Finance Minister Hans Eichel told the Die Welt newspaper. Eichel, asked in an interview about Germany's ability to reduce its public deficit this year to below the ceiling of 3.0 percent of output as required by the euro-zone Stability and Growth Pact, replied: "Conditions have deteriorated sharply." The government would "review and adapt its forecasts for public finances", he said. The newspaper reported that the Socialist government headed by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is facing a sharp reduction of tax revenue,...