As of: February 1, 2024, 4:50 a.m
By: Marcel Reich
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The leading associations of German business are calling for reforms in an incendiary letter.
Wolfgang Kubicki and Christian Lindner from the FDP welcome the initiative.
Update from Wednesday, January 31st, 8:38 a.m.:
FDP Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki has called on the federal government to correct course following an incendiary letter from the leading German business associations to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
The letter should not be ignored, Kubicki told the German Press Agency in Berlin.
“If we don’t turn things around quickly, Germany will become further and further behind, slide deeper into recession and fall apart socially.
The fact that Economics Minister Robert Habeck is not the first point of contact for the business associations says a lot about the role that is still assigned to him,” said Kubicki.
Chancellor Scholz must now finally develop an Agenda 2030 in order to show a way out of the economic, political and social misery.
Kubicki warned: “If this is not done quickly, events will overwhelm us.”
FDP Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki fears that Germany will be left behind economically.
© Daniel Löb
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke of an initiative that was “very welcome”.
“After consolidating the state budget, dynamizing the economy is now a priority.
Social and ecological projects cannot be financed without growth,” said the FDP chairman in response.
Specifically, the associations are calling for, for example, faster planning and approval procedures, a “liberation blow” in the bureaucracy, a tax reform, a “stop sign” in social security contributions and reforms in pensions.
Lindner said: “The suggestions from the German economy form a good basis for a necessary dynamization package from the federal government.”
First report from Tuesday, January 30th, 1:38 p.m.:
Munich - In an incendiary letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the leading German business associations have called for reforms for an economic awakening in Germany.
“Frustration and uncertainty are growing in many companies,” says the letter, which was available to the German Press Agency on Tuesday.
“Wirtschaftswoche” had previously reported on it.
“We are observing political, social and economic developments with great concern.”
“We are observing the political, social and economic developments in which our country is currently experiencing with great concern,” the letter says.
Germany is becoming less attractive as a location.
The relocation of industrial production abroad is increasing.
“But if there is no investment in this country and small and medium-sized businesses shrink, the transformation towards climate neutrality cannot succeed.”
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With a “strong signal of departure” and long-term, reliable, business-friendly framework conditions, politicians can and must build more trust among companies and create confidence for a successful transformation.
The federal government must take measures that promote an economic revival.
Specifically, the associations are calling for, for example, faster planning and approval procedures, a “liberation blow” in the bureaucracy, a tax reform, a “stop sign” in social security contributions and reforms in pensions.
The letter comes from the presidents of the Federal Association of German Employers' Associations, the Federal Association of German Industry, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Central Association of German Crafts.
With material from dpa