BAD SAAROW (dpa-AFX) – Chancellor Friedrich Merz is promoting more confidence in Germany despite the economic problems and difficult reform projects. The CDU politician said at the East German Economic Forum in Bad Saarow, Brandenburg, that he saw no reason at all for fundamental doubts about society’s ability to solve problems. “There is also no reason for pessimism and doom and gloom about the future of our country. The best years of our country are not behind us, but there are very good years ahead of us.”
We need to work on this together, said the Chancellor. “And that means that we have to leave the very German reflexes of badmouthing and the party political games behind us.”
Merz wants broad solidarity
With a view to the planned reforms, Merz said that he knew the size of the task and did not want to take a leap of faith. “But I do want to enlist the willingness of all citizens to work constructively on this. This affects the workforce, this affects the companies, this affects the associations, this affects the trade unions, this affects large social institutions. We now want and must show together that we are able to solve the problems of our country.”
The black-red coalition plans to launch a major reform package by the summer break – on key issues such as pensions and taxes. The federal government wants to relieve the burden on low and middle incomes and slow the increase in social security contributions. Trade unions and social associations warn against a dismantling of the welfare state. More flexible working hours, for example, are controversial.
Economy is stagnating
The aim of the federal government is to improve the competitiveness of the German economy, which is in a long phase of weakness. This year too, only minimal growth is expected following price jumps for oil and gas as a result of the Iran war. According to surveys by associations, there is currently a bad mood among companies. Businesses complain about high energy prices, too much bureaucracy and long approval processes.
A study on the East German economy presented to the Economic Forum showed that the catch-up process in the East could be in danger. The reasons given were too little investment, too few skilled workers and an increasingly aging population.
Merz sees East Germany as playing a key role
At the conference with company managers, Merz highlighted the importance of East Germany as an innovation region. Innovative strength is a basic requirement for the future of the country. East Germany in particular has a key role to play, said Merz, who pointed to cutting-edge research in East German cities.
“East German universities and research institutes are now among the most efficient locations in all of Germany.” The semiconductor location in Saxony is “one of the most important microelectronics clusters in all of Europe,” said the Chancellor. Every third chip manufactured in Europe now comes from Saxony. The very positive development will be reinforced by the establishment of the new chip factory from TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) and the opening of a new factory by Infineon, said Merz. The two investment projects are being built in Dresden.
“More positive view” abroad
He travels a lot, many investors abroad look more positively on Germany than the Germans themselves, said the ex-Commerzbank (Commerzbank) boss Martin BlessingMerz’s personal representative for investments. But there are obstacles. As an example, Blessing cited that approval processes in Germany were too long and energy prices were viewed as too high by investors.
Digital Minister promotes more self-confidence
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) said at the economic conference: “Germany can do more than it has allowed itself to do for years.”
Sometimes it feels as if this country is turning its energy against itself. It has to stop, said Wildberger. He wants a digital country “in which technology, artificial intelligence, data centers, cloud” become the growth engine again./mow/DP/stw
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