In response to an incendiary letter, the FDP parliamentary group has invited representatives of the leading German business associations to a meeting next week.
The First Parliamentary Managing Director Johannes Vogel told the German Press Agency: “The major business associations have sent the Chancellor a cry for help with economic competitiveness. We therefore want to talk to our economy about what needs to be done to turn things around sufficiently.” A “start-up package” is necessary.
At the end of January, the presidents of the leading associations called for reforms for an economic revival in Germany in a letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). “Frustration and uncertainty are growing in many companies,” it said.
Improve framework conditions
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) announced on Wednesday that the federal government would significantly lower its economic forecast for this year. Economic growth of 0.2 percent is expected. Habeck will present the annual economic report on Wednesday. In the autumn forecast, the government had assumed growth of 1.3 percent.
Vogel said: “Our entrepreneurs suffer from the bureaucratic and financial shackles in this country. To refrain from doing anything to create further shackles and to do everything to loosen current shackles is the order of the day for the government.” They want to improve the framework conditions so that they can be proud of the growth. Finance Minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner described growth of 0.2 percent as embarrassing.
The FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr, Vogel and parliamentary group deputy leader Lukas Köhler are scheduled to take part in the meeting with representatives of the leading associations on Wednesday. Both Habeck and Lindner want to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy. However, the suggestions are different.
